Paternalism at the Mind Trust, I fear, is becoming a defining feature of an institution increasingly operating at odds with democratic values and the Black community.

Paternalism with nonprofit organizations takes various forms.

In this instance, we have a zealous institution developing narrow and problematic policy solutions, imposing its will on a Black community, and undermining democratic bulwarks like free elections, community voice and values.

Black leaders across Indianapolis had what seems to be a muted response in retrospect when education reform advocates announced plans to strip authority from Indianapolis Public Schools’ democratically elected, all-Black, all-woman school board. The announcement seemed so bold that many dismissed it, yet here we are.

More recently, a Mind Trust employee injected race into a public hearing, suggesting that Black people were not opposed to House Bill 1423, which would remove authority from this same elected board. This claim came despite public statements and the presence of multiple Black-led organizations at various hearings raising clear concerns about the bill’s anti-democratic nature.

The Mind Trust, a nonprofit that aspires “to provide every student in Indianapolis and beyond with access to an excellent education,” has long championed aggressive policy interventions in the name of reform. The organization has some high-quality and productive initiatives led by people of color; nevertheless, attempts to expand beyond IPS boundaries have faced strong resistance across Marion County.

Indianapolis reform efforts have been known more for reform than results.

Roughly one-third of charter schools have closed since 2001. While some data shows charters outperform IPS, serious questions remain about disciplinary practices and how they influence test scores. Aggregate data also hides variation among IPS schools, innovation schools and charter schools at the neighborhood level.

More fundamentally, we should ask whether we are collecting the right data to measure student progress.

The Mind Trust’s role as a key proponent of HB 1423 is simply the latest entry in its policy record.

In a previous legislative session, rather than advocating for equitable funding for all students within IPS boundaries, the organization supported efforts to divert property tax dollars for transportation and facilities toward public charters run by unelected operators, reducing limited funding for Black children in traditional IPS schools.

This is especially striking given that charter schools were originally written into Indiana law with the understanding that they would not receive transportation or facilities dollars.

Advocates of autonomous schools also ignore lessons from IPS’ past. When IPS operated with far more school-level autonomy and fewer systemwide standards, the result was wide disparities in quality. Today, the district boasts graduation rates in the 90% range and has outperformed three Marion County townships on standardized testing, progress made through intentional systems and accountability.

Yet the Mind Trust, cloaked in the language of equity, continues to support policies that extract dollars from an already underfunded, majority-Black and brown district. Contrary to their stated mission, the organization chose not to fight for equitable funding for all students.

Opinion: Who do Indianapolis schools belong to? Not the state.

The Mind Trust has repeatedly failed to listen to the Black community and has too often attempted to impose its agenda despite community concerns.

This is a longstanding pattern. It includes the mass rejection by Black leaders of the nonprofit’s controversial 2011 IPS reform plan; legislative policies advanced with little engagement from Black elected leaders; curated conversations instead of open dialogue; calls to Black organizations meant to silence criticism; written pronouncements purporting to speak for Black and Brown families; and plans developed in isolation from the community.

Letters: Rushed school bill creates double standard for IPS, charters

More Black families and children are subjected to unelected school boards than any time in city history.

No one wants better outcomes for Black children than the Black community.

As a former charter school board member and a donor to charter schools, I support school choice.

As a Black leader, I also know our community holds a wide range of views on education. We are not a monolith, and I would never dismiss the voices of Black parents.

There are strong Black employees who have worked and are still working at the Mind Trust that I respect—but they don’t make policy decisions. A White institution should never purport to speak for Black families. Black employees should not cover for White employees’ mistakes.

I will not be intimidated when a powerful nonprofit pushes policy that harms Black children, nor will I silently tolerate any form of paternalism toward the Black community.

Marshawn Wolley is the CEO of Black Onyx Management.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mind Trust keeps speaking for Indy’s Black community. This must stop.