This year’s panel of diverse Indianapolis leaders will discuss “Creating a Culture of Peace: Celebrating All Things Indy” from 1-2:30 pm in the Auditorium during the 2015 MLK Community Festival on Saturday, January 17 at Christian Theological Seminary.
Panelists: Keishana White, JoAnne Lingle, Charlie Wiles, and George Okantey
Panel Moderator: Peace Learning Center’s Director of Community Programs John McShane
Keishana White
Keishana White lives and works for truth in Indianapolis. She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and lover of peace. Keishana can be found stirring the pot and asking the hard questions where ever she goes.
JoAnne Lingle
JoAnne Lingle is a mother, grandmother, Mennonite, full time activist. Since 1997 she has worked with Christian Peacemaker Teams, primarily in the West Bank city of Hebron, also has been with CPT in Kurdistan; Vieques P.R.; First Nation people in Grassy Narrows ON; La Framboise Island SD with Lakota people; and Douglas AZ Borderlands Project. Other national organizations JoAnne has worked with include: CodePink-Women for Peace; Witness Against Torture; Nat’l Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance; Pax Christi. The local organizations include: Christians for Peace and Justice in the MiddleEast; Pax Christi; Indiana anti-Drone Project.
Charlie Wiles
Charlie Wiles holds a degree in Political Science from Indiana University and spent several years working for the Indiana State Legislature. He operated a general contracting business renovating older homes from 1981-86, served as a combat medic in the US Army Reserves from 1991-1999, and was executive director of Peace Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization focused on teaching youth nonviolent methods to resolve conflict, from 1997-2003. Charlie is currently executive director of Center for Interfaith Cooperation.
George Okantey
George Okantey is a Community and Talent Development Educator with Purdue University Extension. Mr. Okantey holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University. He is a certified Association for Talent Development (ATD) professional in learning and performance (CPLP). He is a proud parent of two Purdue University graduates.