Tribune hosts virtual discussion of South Bend reparations commission

The public is invited to a virtual discussion about South Bend’s Reparatory Justice Commission, which recently made headlines for a dispute involving its composition and leadership. The Tribune Talk forum begins Tuesday at 6 p.m. on the Tribune’s Facebook page. Last month, leaders of the local chapter of Black Lives Matter, citing their dismay with the progress of the 14-member commission, called on its chairman, Darryl Heller, to step down. Among their concerns is that the commission lacks young Black members and that it has failed to engage the community. The Tribune discussion will include an update on the commission, created by a Common Council resolution in fall 2023 that gives the group whatever time it needs to research the history of racism locally and report back to the council with ideas, information and recommendations. Panelists include Heller, director of the Indiana University South Bend Civil Rights Heritage Center, commission member Trina Robinson, Jorden Giger, co-founder of Black Lives Matter South Bend and Katheryn Redding, co-founder of BLM South Bend.