Indianapolis City Council Education Committee Meeting on Youth Gun Violence - April 7, 2026
Indianapolis City Council Education Committee Meeting on Youth Gun Violence - April 7, 2026
The Education Committee of the Indianapolis City Council convened on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. for a special presentation on Marion County Youth Gun Violence and potential solutions. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Carlos Perkins (District 6), included introductions from council members Jesse Brown (District 13), Jessica McCormick (District 16), Dan Boots (District 3), Keith Graves (District 9), and the chair. No legislative proposals were on the agenda; the sole purpose was a discussion with three community leaders: Dr. Virgil Gregory (IU School of Social Work), Dr. Joseph Tucker Edmonds (IU Dept. of Religious Studies and Africana Studies), and Mr. Brandon Randall (Founder, True Colors Consultant LSC). Youth worker Brandon Spivey also participated.
Presentation on Youth Gun Violence
- Dr. Virgil Gregory framed youth violence within mental health, describing eight criminal risk variables (antisocial traits, associates, family, school/work, leisure, substance use, etc.) and a continuum of externalizing disorders (oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder). He emphasized that these are treatable and amenable to psychosocial interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family-based interventions. Dr. Gregory cited meta-analyses showing large effect sizes for CBT in severe aggression and moderate to large effects for parent management training on disruptive behavior and parental skills.
- Mr. Brandon Randall highlighted root causes: absent caring and consistent relationships, and absent hope. He introduced critical hope theory (Dr. Jeffrey Duncan-Andrade) and argued for "audacious hope" – walking alongside youth in their victories and challenges. He stressed the need for youth-led leadership programs that pay young people with lived experience, noting Brandon Spivey as an example of a youth who turned his life around through mentorship and leadership opportunities.
- Dr. Joseph Tucker Edmonds discussed the role of anchor institutions, particularly black churches. He presented data on religious disaffiliation among black men and younger populations, arguing that churches must reimagine themselves to address empathy deserts and co-create programs with youth. He cited projects like the Talking Documentary and emphasized that hope and grace must be realized through adequate resources (healthcare, therapy, coaching, open community centers).
Discussion Items
- Council members explored several themes:
- Environmental context and diagnosis: Dr. Gregory explained that behaviors seen as conduct disorder in one setting may be reasonable responses to systemic trauma or neighborhood norms. Councilor Perkins shared experiences in majority-minority vs. majority-white school districts where identical behaviors were treated differently.
- Labeling and redemption: Mr. Randall argued that labeling youth as "delinquent" or "antisocial" closes off opportunities for grace and understanding. Brandon Spivey agreed that labels follow youth and that adults must listen and invest in understanding young people's lived experiences.
- Role of schools: Councilor Brown questioned whether schools should prepare youth for an unfair world through strict discipline. Mr. Randall responded that such an approach reflects "hope deferred" and does not address root causes; he called for audacious hope and collective responsibility.
- Nature vs. nurture: Councilor McCormick noted that there is no one-size-fits-all solution; each person has a unique Venn diagram of biology and environment. She stressed the need for both quantitative data and qualitative insights.
- Religious disaffiliation: Councilor Graves asked about the timeline and causes of declining church attendance. Dr. Tucker Edmonds explained it is a 25-year trend across denominations; black and brown populations are leaving at slower rates but still disaffiliating because institutions have not kept pace with critical issues (gender, sexuality, theology, format). Councilor Perkins added that disaffiliation does not mean loss of belief in God, but a search for different forms of community.
- Council's role: Councilor Boots questioned how the council, with limited funds and tools focused on infrastructure, can support such cognitive and behavioral solutions. He noted existing programs (crisis intervention teams, peacekeepers) and the challenge of staffing. Dr. Perkins responded that while the council may have limited funds and options, it has influence to convene and advocate.
- Dr. Perkins closed by urging the council to prioritize inviting the most impacted youth to the table – those with ankle monitors, probation officers – because they have the most relevant experiences to provide solutions.
Key Outcomes
- No votes or official actions were taken. The meeting was informational and exploratory.
- Dr. Perkins charged council members to use their influence across the city to address root causes of youth gun violence, recognizing that more work remains.
- The presenters called for sustained collaboration across sectors (education, public safety, faith communities, nonprofits, residents) and for investment in evidence-based interventions (CBT, family therapy, hospital-based violence intervention) and youth-led leadership programs.
- The discussion highlighted the need to reimagine anchor institutions (churches, YMCAs, community centers) as spaces for healing, hope, and co-creation with young people.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening all. Uh this is the meeting of the Education Committee of the Indianapolis City Council convened on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026 at 5 30 p.m. I would like to begin by asking my colleagues on the committee to briefly introduce themselves for the record, starting with Councillor Brown. Good evening. Thanks, Mr. Chair. Jesse Brown, District 13, near North Near East Side. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Jessica McCormick, District 16, West Side, including Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Councilor Dan Boots, District 3, Washington Lawrence Townships. Thank you all. I'm Dr. Carlos Perkins, District 6. I would like to begin this particular meeting tonight. There are no proposals before this committee. However, we have a special presentation on Marion County Youth Gun Violence and potential solutions. Given the current challenges we face, this is a timely and necessary discussion. We are appreciative of the work being carried out by the many entities across our city and county that are committed to reducing gun violence and creating safer communities for our young people. We are honored to welcome three notable community leaders who will help to guide this conversation this evening. Dr. Virgil Gregory, associate professor in the School of Social Work at Indiana University, Indianapolis, Dr. Joseph Tucker Edmonds, Associate Professor of Religious Studies in Africana Studies, and Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at Indiana University, Indianapolis. And Mr. Brandon Randall, founder of True Colors Consultant LSC in Indianapolis. True Colors Consultant LSC is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to leadership development, conflict resolution, and community engagement strategies. The organization works to equip communities with practical tools to address violence, build trust, and foster sustainable pathways towards safety and opportunity. As counselors and community members, it is our hope that gatherings like this will equip us with research tools and best practices needed to effectively reduce gun violence in general and youth gun violence in particular. This is not simply a policy issue. It is a human issue that touches families, schools, neighborhoods, and futures. No single institution, office, or organization can solve this challenge alone. It will take collaboration across sectors, education, public safety, faith communities, nonprofits, and residents themselves, working together with shared purpose and sustained commitment. Each of us has a role to play in building safer environments where our young people can thrive. So let today's discussion be more than just a presentation. It is a call to action for all of us. The work before us is urgent. It is also filled with possibilities. If we remain committed, informed, and united, we can help shape a future where hope is stronger than arm and opportunity outweighs risk. Together, we can do the hard and necessary work of creating a safer, more just community for the next generation. And with that, I'm going to invite our presenters tonight. My colleague Counselor Graves just walked in on allowing to introduce himself. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Keith Graves, Indianapolis City Council, District 9 on the Indianapolis East. Thank you, Council Graves. And I now turn it over to our presenters tonight to uh share with us uh what they have researched and found in recommendations. Thank you. Dr. Virgil.
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