Here’s what Indy’s new chief equity officer wants to accomplish

The new leader of the Indianapolis Office of Equity, Belonging and Inclusion has a 90-day plan to get “unfiltered thoughts” from city employees.

Margarette Webb, who got approval from a City-County Council committee Oct. 14 to be the office’s chief equity officer, said she wants to build trust by doing a listening tour with city departments.

“I want to understand what the other departments and divisions are facing,” Webb said, “and how I can help better support them in carrying out the work of belonging and inclusion.”

Mayor Joe Hogsett created the office as part of the 2024 city budget . She replaces Benjamin Tapper, the office’s first director . Webb’s appointment still needs approval from the full City-County Council.

The office is responsible for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. This summer, for example, the office helped create the inaugural Black Wealth Crawl , an 11-day campaign showcasing Black-owned businesses in Indianapolis.

Hogsett appointed Webb to the role on Sept. 19. She joined the city in 2022 and was most recently the Indy Parks department’s chief strategy officer.

Webb’s term lasts through the end of the year, although she can continue to serve until a new director is appointed.

Webb’s 4 pillars

Webb told the committee that she sees her role encompassing four pillars: culture, data, community and accessibility.

Culture “I want to ensure that every employee here feels safe, valued and is positioned to succeed in their role,” she said.

Data Webb said data is already part of the office’s work. During budget hearings, for example, city departments include a demographic breakdown of employees.

“However, I want to dig deeper,” she said. “Who are we promoting? How long are they staying in their roles?”

Community Webb said she wants to continue the work that’s already started in the office. That includes the BIRTH Fund, a program launched in 2025 that gives new mothers a monthly payment totaling $20,000 over three years .

Accessibility The office already does good work with accessibility, Webb said, including with language access.

Webb said she hopes to build on that work for both staff and the community.

Republican pushback

Republican Minority Leader Brian Mowery is opposed to the Office of Equity, Belonging and Inclusion in its entirety. Credit: Doug McSchooler for Mirror Indy

Republican Minority Leader Brian Mowery was the only councilor to vote against Webb’s appointment.

He said Webb has a good resume and can do “great things for the city,” but he doesn’t believe the Office of Equity, Belonging and Inclusion should exist.

“I can appreciate your dedication to this,” he said, “but unfortunately I won’t be supporting tonight because of the office itself I don’t think we need.”

Mowery made the same argument during the approval process for the office’s first leader.

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Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers housing and labor. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org . Follow him on X @ty_fenwick and Bluesky @tyfenwick.bsky.social .

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