NAACP fights lead exposure, earns Anthem award for efforts 

After receiving the Maternal & Infant Health Visionary Award from Anthem for their commitment to lead testing, the NAACP in Indianapolis is amplifying its mission to protect families from lead exposure. Through community-led initiatives and free testing services, the organization helps residents identify hidden dangers in their homes, paving the way for healthier, safer neighborhoods.Garry Holland, former chair of the education board for the Indianapolis NAACP and leader of the lead program, is leading the charge to ensure that neighborhoods like Martindale Brightwood are recognized and citizens stay informed.Holland’s mission began when he was at Ignite Academy several years ago, mentoring young men. One day, as he was leaving, he saw a young girl with something yellow in her mouth. He realized she was sliding down the wall, scraping paint into her mouth and eating it.“If she was doing it at school, she was probably doing it at home,” Holland said. “Then we later felt that all of the kindergarten and first graders needed to get lead tested, and we went to IPS at the time and got a resolution through the board, through the school board, to have all children tested in all of their elementary schools.”Following the testing...