Evansville Commission on African American Males Meeting - September 24, 2026

The Commission on the Social Status of African American Males met on September 24, 2026, to discuss strategic planning, youth outreach, police-community relations, and community gun violence. The meeting included updates on the upcoming Youth Male Empowerment Summit, a police report on recent incidents, and a discussion on how the commission can mitigate gun violence through mental health initiatives and community engagement.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the previous meeting were adopted unanimously after a motion by Commissioner Phipps and a second by Commissioner Burris. No corrections were needed.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Commissioner Ted McCreary announced a father-son luncheon on October 17, 2026, at Memorial Baptist Church, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with tickets at $10. Last year, 170 attended, and a similar turnout is expected. He also mentioned Men's Day on Sunday, featuring a 16-year-old speaker from Shreveport, Louisiana.
• Mr. Xavier Tyler, a community member interested in becoming more involved with the commission, attended as an observer.

Discussion Items

• Strategic Planning Session: Commissioners reported on a recent productive strategic planning meeting facilitated by Diane Clements Boyd. The session provided direction and focused on increasing the commission's visibility. A low-cost podcast was proposed as a way to engage the community and share the commission's work. The next session is scheduled for next month, and a summary of the first session will be shared. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the focused conversation.
• Youth Male Empowerment Summit: Commissioner McCreary provided an update. A final planning meeting will be held on September 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Caldwell Center. The summit is set for October 15, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and volunteers are still needed. Commissioner McCreary also highlighted a recent weekend event where CEMA took 60 students from four schools to Camp Carson for team-building activities such as biking and rock climbing, an increase from the usual 25 students.
• Police and Community Relations: Commissioner Phipps shared a report from Commissioner Culver. There were 33 shots-fired calls and eight generated case numbers. A suspect, Jesse Goben (age 37), with prior convictions for attempted murder of a police officer and robbery, was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. Commissioner Culver reminded the public to lock vehicles and avoid leaving keys inside, as cooler weather leads to an increase in car break-ins, especially on the east and south sides of Evansville. Multiple overnight neighborhood break-ins were reported with money and guns stolen.
• Community Gun Violence: Commissioners discussed what the commission can do to mitigate gun violence. Suggestions included promoting mental health and anger management programs, using incentives to encourage participation among young men, and forming partnerships with organizations like Ireland and Louise or local schools. One commissioner noted that Southwestern Behavioral Health offers services for ages 7–18 and does not deny care based on inability to pay, making it a potential resource to promote. The importance of proactive community education and a "see something, say something" approach was emphasized.
• Neighborhood Association Meetings: A commissioner reminded others to attend upcoming neighborhood association meetings, though the CK Newsom Center is closed for renovation. The commissioner will check with presidents for new locations.

Key Outcomes

• The minutes were approved.
• The strategic planning session will continue next month; a summary of the first session will be sent to all commissioners.
• The Youth Male Empowerment Summit is confirmed for October 15, 2026, with a planning meeting on September 24, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Caldwell Center. Volunteers are still needed.
• The police report was received and acknowledged; the commission will continue to promote vehicle safety.
• The discussion on gun violence will proceed, with potential partnerships to be explored, including mental health resources from Southwestern Behavioral Health.