On Saturday afternoon, at the Crestmont Boys and Girls Club on the north side of town, the Kappa Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hosted a Bloomington municipal candidate forum.

Alpha Kappa Alpha is one of the Divine Nine—that’s the nickname for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), which is an umbrella council composed of historically Black fraternities and sororities.

Invited to deliver remarks to kick off the forum were Jeanetta and Charlie Nelms. The couple, who have been married for 54 years, issued a clarion call to an audience of around 60 people: Vote in the May 2 primary.

Jeannetta Nelms was director of the Indiana University 21st Century Scholars Program in the mid-2000s. Charlie Nelms served as professor of higher education administration at IU and in several top posts, including vice president for institutional development and student affairs.

The B Square will report out separately on what the candidates had to say.

Here’s how the Nelmses made their pitch to participate in the upcoming elections.
Continue reading “Candidate forum message: “Vote, or lose your right to complain about the world’s circumstances.”” →