Our Story

The Hanna Community Center traces its beginnings to the old Lincoln Center, an institution built to serve the welfare and social needs of the black community and other minority groups, where resources are limited. Occupying the Lincoln School in 1923, the Center began as a recreational center for Lafayette's black youth. Our goal is to continue Hanna's commitment and continue its tradition of ensuring that services are provided for all who make up the diverse population of the greater Lafayette Community.

The Hanna Community Center, Inc. is a non-profit, multi-service agency that provides programs and services for the surrounding community and minority residents of Tippecanoe County. The mission of Hanna Center is to provide and facilitate the development of surrounding neighborhoods, programs, and services which will enhance personal and community resources.

We thrive with the support and sponsorship from many local businesses, persons, and grants and the continued commitment of our staff and volunteers.

Promoting health and wellbeing in our community

Focusing on youth and senior programming, Hanna Center strives to create a safe and healthy space for all in our community! Our mission is to provide quality services, programs, and community interactions for the surrounding neighborhood and beyond. We seek to celebrate traditions throughout the Greater Lafayette area while preserving the culture, heritage and history of African Americans and minority groups within Tippecanoe County.

Vision & Values

Empower individuals and families in our community to achieve their full potential.
Create a safe, inclusive, and supportive space for all community members to learn and grow.
Foster a sense of belonging and connection among our diverse community members.
Partner with local organizations and businesses to provide comprehensive resources and services to our community.
Cultivate a culture of curiosity, learning, and personal growth for all members of our community.
Equity: We are committed to creating a level playing field for all members of our community, regardless of their socio-economic background, race, or ethnicity.
Empathy: We strive to understand and respond to the unique needs and challenges faced by our community members with compassion and sensitivity.
Respect: We honor the dignity and worth of all individuals and treat everyone with kindness and respect.
Innovation: We are always seeking new and creative solutions to the challenges facing our community, and we are open to trying new approaches and technologies to achieve our vision.

Our Team

The Hanna Community Center staff members are committed to our mission and values, and they work tirelessly to ensure that our programs and services meet the needs of our community. They are passionate about their work and are always looking for ways to improve and innovate.

Center staff are also available and accessible to communicate with those in need. Whether it's answering questions, providing support, or offering guidance, our staff members are here to help. They understand the importance of building relationships with those we serve, and they work to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters trust and respect.

Hanna staff members are an essential part of our organization, and we are proud of their dedication and commitment to our mission and the community we serve.

Executive Director & IMHC Director of Tippecanoe County

Tracy Fuller

tracy@hannacntr.org

Marketing Coordinator

Taylor Schmidt

marketing@hannacntr.org

Youth Program Coordinator

Bryanna Alvarez

youthprograms@hannacntr.org

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Senior Program Coordinator

Sarah

seniorprogramssupport@hannacntr.org

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Program Support Specialist

Megan Ocker

youthprogramssupport@hannacntr.org

Youth Counsellor

Joseph Stringfellow

youthprogramssupport@hannacntr.org

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Our Board Members

Having a supportive executive board is essential to the success of any organization, and this is especially true for a community center. A supportive board is one that is actively engaged, invested, and committed to the center's mission and goals. Our board is full of supportive members who will be advocates for the center, promoting its work and impact to the wider community, and providing crucial oversight and accountability to ensure its success.

Board President

Hon. Ben Nellis

As the board president of the Hanna Community Center, Ben has taken on a leadership role in ensuring that the center fulfills its mission of providing resources and services to those in need. He brings his passion for mental health and his extensive network of contacts in the community to bear on his role, working to identify new opportunities for fundraising, program development, and outreach. Ben is committed to building a strong, cohesive board that can guide the center's activities and promote its goals effectively. Through his leadership, he helps to ensure that the Hanna Community Center remains a vital resource for individuals and families in the Greater Lafayette Community.

Vice President

Ryan Gerkey

As the board vice president of the Hanna Community Center, Ryan brings a wealth of experience in organizational management and personnel development to his role. His commitment to community service, demonstrated through his involvement with Lafayette Youth Baseball and other community organizations, reflects his deep passion for helping others. Ryan's leadership skills and dedication to the center's mission make him an invaluable member of the executive board. He is excited to contribute to the center's continued success and looks forward to working with the board to strengthen its programs and services.

Treasurer

Rev. Kevin Bowers

As the treasurer of the Hanna Community Center, Rev. Kevin A. Bowers brings a wealth of experience in financial management and community service to his role. His ordination as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA) reflects his deep commitment to promoting the spiritual and emotional health of his community. Kevin's dedication to the Lafayette community and his expertise in financial management make him an invaluable member of the center's executive board. He is committed to ensuring that the center fulfills its mission of promoting health and wellbeing in the Greater Lafayette area, and we look forward to his contributions to the center's continued success.

Secretary

Spencer Buchanan

As the secretary of the Hanna Community Center's executive board, Spencer brings a wealth of experience in labor advocacy, workforce development, and community involvement. As the President of the United Steelworkers Local 115 and a member of the Indiana Work Force Development Board, Spencer has a deep understanding of the needs and challenges faced by workers in the Greater Lafayette area. His experience and expertise in these areas will be invaluable in helping the center to provide effective and meaningful services to the community.

In addition to his professional experience, Spencer's connections to Purdue University and his work at ARCONIC make him well-equipped to help the center build relationships with businesses and academic institutions in the area. His commitment to the center's mission of promoting health and wellbeing in the community is evident, and we are fortunate to have him on our board.

Director

Shelanda McGill-Hall

Shelanda McGill-Hall is a valuable member of the Hanna Community Center's board of directors. Her personal connection to the center as a former participant during her youth fuels her passion for giving back to the community. With her professional background in accounting and finance, including her current role at Simon Property Group, Shelanda brings valuable financial expertise to the board. She is committed to supporting the center's mission and ensuring that it continues to provide vital services and resources to those in need. We are fortunate to have Shelanda on our team and look forward to her contributions as a director of the Hanna Community Center.

Director

Scotty Teal

Scotty brings valuable legal expertise to the Hanna Community Center Board of Directors, with her background in real estate, creditor's rights, and personal injury law. As an active member of the Tippecanoe County Bar Association and the Indiana State Bar Association, Scotty is committed to using her skills to benefit the community. She pursued a position on the board because she is passionate about the mission of Hanna Community Center and saw it as an opportunity to give back to her community. Scotty's dedication and expertise make her a valuable asset to the board.

Director

Scott Galloway

Scott Galloway has been an active member of the Hanna Community Board of Directors since 2016, bringing his passion for community outreach and building relationships. He first came to the community as a Purdue undergraduate in 1994 and went on to serve as a Captain of Patrol for the Lafayette Police Department since 1998. Scott has been instrumental in providing outreach events and services to Hanna's seniors and youth programs. With his commitment to connecting with the needs of the community, Scott has played an important role in advancing the mission of the Hanna Community Center.

Director

Eric Grossman

As a board member of the Hanna Community Center, Eric Grossman brings a wealth of experience in property valuation and development. With a background in real estate investing and commercial property development, Eric has helped to build and restore various properties throughout Greater Lafayette. His technical skills and knowledge of real estate have enabled him to excel in his current role at the Assessors office. Eric is committed to utilizing his expertise to support the Hanna mission of promoting health and well-being in the community.

Director

Kelly Hampton

Kelly Hampton is a dedicated community member and advocate for social justice. As the Director of Empowerment Services at YWCA Greater Lafayette, Kelly has provided critical workforce development training and educational outreach to thousands of individuals. She brings to the Hanna Community Center a wealth of experience in criminal justice, special education, and behavior analysis, as well as a commitment to breaking cycles of poverty and violence. Her advocacy for systemic change at all levels of society makes her a valuable member of the Hanna board.

Director

Philip Brandt

Philip has a diverse background in accounting and has lived in different parts of the country, but his values remain rooted in community service. He joined Hanna Center as a board member because he believes in the importance of providing resources and programming to underserved populations. Philip is currently the Director of Accounting Operations at Inari Agriculture in West Lafayette and enjoys hobbies such as playing tennis, making cocktails, and cooking. He recently settled down in West Lafayette with his wife to start a family.

Director

Sheila Klinker

Sheila Ann Klinker is a highly experienced politician and educator who has made significant contributions to the state of Indiana. With over four decades of teaching experience in the Lafayette School Corporation, Klinker has been instrumental in shaping the educational landscape of the region. She has also been an active member of the Indiana House of Representatives since 1982, representing the 27th District. As a member of key committees like Agriculture and Rural Development, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety, and Ways and Means, Klinker has played a crucial role in driving legislative initiatives that benefit her constituents and the state as a whole.

Subcommittee Member- Diversity and Inclusion Programming

Ebony Barrett-Kennedy

Ebony Barrett-Kennedy is a well-rounded individual with diverse interests and experiences. As the Diversity and Inclusion Consultant for IU Health Arnett, she is passionate about promoting inclusivity in the workplace. In addition to her professional work, she is involved in various community organizations such as the Diversity Round Table of Greater Lafayette and the United Way of Greater Lafayette Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She also mentors BIPOC business owners and is recognized as a leader in her community, having been named a 2020 Top 10 Under 40 by Tippy Connect Young Professionals. Ebony is also a talented musician, performing with her band Ebony & Ruckus, and a supporter of the arts, serving on the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette board of directors. Despite her busy schedule, she still finds time for family, coaching cheer, traveling, and completing fitness challenges such as mud runs and 5Ks.