People’s Durham aids local residents

People’s Durham received an award from the Indy Citizen for their local activism. PHOTO CREDIT: Holly Jordan

By Adriana Penley
Staff Writer

On Feb. 2, the organization People’s Durham received the Indy Citizen award because of the previous work they performed to help Lincoln Apartment residents in the fall of 2012.

The leaders of the organization are Senalolo Diaminah and Bryan Proffitt, a Hillside history teacher. Hillside English Teacher Holly Jordan, also a member of the organization, helped write a nomination letter.

People’s Durham, along with a few Hillside students such as Cameron Hall and Gaby Grant, went “door knocking.” The purpose of the door knocking was to register Lincoln residents to vote and to ask question about their abrupt eviction notices.

Both Mr. Proffitt and Ms. Jordan said they believe that if they didn’t help fight this social injustice that many of the residents of the Lincoln Apartments would be homeless as a result of being given such late notice.

“It feels good that we as a whole helped get their eviction dates pushed back,” Hall said.

People’s Durham was successful in helping residents find affordable housing through discussions with city council members.

“The biggest benefit of receiving the Indy Citizen Award is that it has raised public awareness of the crisis of affordable housing,” Mr. Proffitt said.

He also stated that People’s Durham will be working on a “free lunch program” for the residents of MacDougal Terrace. Students are welcome to participate, along with teachers and people of the community.

People’s Durham is also working on organizing teachers to fight for educational justice.