Fort Wayne Allen County NAACP influences East Allen County School Diversity Liasion

East Allen County School has hired formerTamyra Kelly to implement a diversity program. Kelly will partner with Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne University Office of Diversity and Multicultural Services. Superintendent K. Novotny found herself in the hot seat when the Superintendent decided to call a halt to press conference arranged by the Principal Chris Hissong and Fort Wayne-Allen County NAACP #3049 President Michael Latham. After summing President Latham to her office to end the conference, Rev. Latham held a press conference to highlight the lack of accountability by the East Allen County toward incidents of racial intolerance within its district.

Dr. Novotny unwillingness to invite the president of the local NAACP to discuss the issue with her "personalities" would shift with the media probing. Dr. Novotny and her own "NEGROES", people, personalities decided to attend a meeting to discredit the local president and its branch. Undaunted, the local NAACP continue to push ahead in addressing the concerns expressed by parents and students attending schools in the east Allen county district.

With the media focus on the threat to students, the only solution left for Dr. Novotny was her do nothing stance or to act as if she wanted to do something. The something was a study circle group that has evolved into the hiring of Tamyra Kelly. While Dr. Novotny gave the local NAACP President the cold shoulder, Kelly credits President Pastor Latham for her making the phone call to Dr. Novotny about study circles.

From the Ink newspaper

Kelly’s tenure from 1987 to 1997 with the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission gives her a solid understanding of civil rights law and the challenges of fighting discrimination in pursuit of equality. As METRO’s executive director, Kelly led a staff of investigators handling discrimination cases involving housing, public accommodations and other areas.

In an environment of accusations, investigation and adversarial encounters, METRO introduced Kelly to the rougher side of public relations and politics. Although she says her experience at METRO left her “bruised,” it also made her a stronger person.

“I learned the ins and outs and the do’s and don’ts of dealing with the media, the public and staff,” Kelly says. “That job made me tough. It made me realize that I could do anything.”

Following her 10 years with METRO, Kelly served for 10 years at United Way of Allen County (UWAC). As the non-profit organization’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Kelly made sure that United Way and its member agencies maintained policies and procedures that were inclusive of all people. From volunteer recruitment to programming, the idea was to make sure that all aspects of the operation worked toward the goal of increasing diversity."

In the finally analysis, parents will have the last say with the growing population in the east allen county district.