(NNPA)—My advocacy days in Indiana were on a roll. Things that Kay and I were learning seasoned us for issues that lie before the Black business community today. One important point was identifying just who allowed the corruption and or discrimination and to counter those efforts.
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We busted Huber, Hunt and Nichols for fronting on the construction of the massive new state office building. The State Office Building Commission, which was actually in on the deception, banned them from state projects for five years. That was not a satisfactory punishment in our eyes and we sought justice in other ways. The company was about to receive a contract from the city of St. Louis for a new hockey arena. Our contacts in Missouri approached the mayor of St. Louis and he cancelled the contract. We had authorities of McCormack Place project in Chicago bring them onto the carpet and issued a severe warning to them to not play any games. The word was getting out nationally and the management of HH&N knew they had to make peace.
They appealed to State Rep. Bill Crawford, a strong ally of our local chamber. He held a reception at the Skyline Club with Robert C. Hunt, the CEO of the company, and about 50 Black contractors from Indianapolis. Eventually, general contractor Jimmy Beard went to the microphone and asked the crowd of local Black contractors, “How many of you have ever worked a contract or subcontract for Huber, Hunt and Nichols?” Not one hand went up and the silence was deafening. Hunt was indeed embarrassed in front of Rep. Crawford who represented the Legislative Black Caucus at this historic event.
Shortly after that event, management of HH&N asked ME for a meeting. In that meeting they showed me the work they were doing in Cleveland and Atlanta. Each project had Black project managers and the use of Black contractors was very impressive. I asked, “Why don’t you do that here in your hometown?” They replied that Mayor Michael White of Cleveland demanded it and so did Mayor Maynard Jackson of Atlanta. If you want Indiana to change, go change the attitude or position of the governor’s office. It became clear to me at that point that these construction companies were following the wishes of their clients. Changes would have to come from the governor’s office. HH&N sent a membership check to our chamber a few days after that meeting and we agreed to improve our relationship.
I organized a group of minority contractors, the United Contractors Association of Indiana, Inc., and had them file a discrimination lawsuit against Gov. Evan Bayh. In the suit, we documented fronting, racially discriminatory practices in the construction sector that was perpetrated by state agencies under supervision of the governor. The lawsuit was eventually dropped but the message was clear: “Black contractors aren’t going to take it anymore.”
It wasn’t long before Indianapolis elected a new mayor, Stephen Goldsmith. He requested a meeting with me and chamber members. At that session, Goldsmith stated that his office would be an ally of our chamber and promised that all city agencies and the Indianapolis Airport Authority would be as diverse as possible. To prove his sincerity, he gave the chamber a contract to audit minority participation at all procurement offices, including the airport. We just had a serious war with that airport but his administration was in charge now and that made a great difference. Mayor Goldsmith was a great leader and helped diversify Indianapolis in ways people could not imagine.
Soon, a new basketball arena was to be built. Funding for it was a mixture of both the city and the state legislature. Representative Crawford was chair of the Budget Committee. He and the mayor got together and decided to give me, now the National Black Chamber of Commerce, a $100,000 contract to monitor and ensure that the project met its diversity goals. I would actually be working with Huber, Hunt and Nichols. All goals were exceeded and all Black contractors were paid in full and on time. That was my last direct project in Indianapolis. Kay and I left with a smile as we knew our work and struggles had made a positive difference.
Please remember if you have complaints about a state-funded contract, the buck stops at the governor’s office. If it is the city, go after the mayor. Federally- funded projects that have a problem are within the purview of your congressional delegation and the president of the United States. If it is in the private sector, the responsibility falls on the chief executive officer. These are supposed to be the change agents. If they don’t change, then change the agents.
(Harry Alford is the co-founder, president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce®. Website: www.nationalbcc.org. Email: halford@nationalbcc.org.)
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