February 28, 2017 - Three national leaders are visiting Fort Wayne to assist Fort Wayne UNITED in a strategic planning process that will further expand efforts to help all black males in the community reach their full potential.

Fort Wayne UNITED is a mayoral initiative announced by Mayor Tom Henry in July 2016. It places two national efforts, Cities United and My Brother’s Keeper, into one program that advocates for and implements policies and practices to ensure equity and opportunity for black fathers, brothers, and sons at home, work, school, and community through collaborative efforts.

Mayor Henry today welcomed Leon Andrews and Timothy Evans from the National League of Cities and Anthony Smith, the CEO of Cities United. The three leaders are in Fort Wayne to help launch subcommittees for Fort Wayne UNITED and begin an in-depth strategic planning process. 

In order to further Fort Wayne UNITED’s work, the Fort Wayne UNITED steering committee is launching seven subcommittees, Education, Employment, Justice, Health, Clergy, Emerging Leaders and Program Implementation. Each of the subcommittees will examine detailed community data and work with the national leaders to develop measurable goals and next steps. Throughout the coming months, the national leaders will visit Fort Wayne on several occasions to continue working on the strategic plan.

“Fort Wayne UNITED has been a positive step forward for our community as we work together to address challenges and find solutions to make a meaningful difference in the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents,” said Mayor Henry. “Fort Wayne UNITED has become a national model for proactive initiatives designed to have a lasting impact.”

More information about Fort Wayne UNITED can be found at www.FortWayneUNITED.org.

Fort Wayne UNITED Steering Committee Members

Terry Anderson, Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network

Mike Armstrong, millennial representative

James Burg, Dean of Public Policy, IPFW

Chris Cathcart, Fort Wayne UNITED co-chair and Ivy Tech Community College-Northeast

Judge Wendy Davis

Christopher Guerin, Sweetwater

Iric Headley, Fort Wayne UNITED Director and City of Fort Wayne

Judge Dan Heath

Joe Jordan, Fort Wayne UNITED co-chair and Boys and Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne

Tamyra Kelly, East Allen County Schools

David Nicole, United Way of Allen County

Debra Faye Williams-Robbins, Fort Wayne Community Schools

Dennis Rohrs, Fort Wayne Metals

Julie Sanchez, City of Fort Wayne

Mitch Sheppard, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation

Orlando Smith, millennial representative

Marlon Wardlow, Parkview Hospital Randallia

Derrick Westfield, Fort Wayne Police Department

Luther Whitfield, New Covenant Worship Center