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.

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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.

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Promoting Health & Wellbeing
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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.

Our Board Members

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

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.

President

Scotty Teal

Scotty is an associate attorney at the law firm of Stuart and Branigin here in Lafayette. She has practiced for over 5 years. She

earned her B.A. in Law & Society Honors from Purdue University with minors in Forensics,

Political Science, and Spanish. She went on to earn her J.D. at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Before joining Stuart and Branigin, Scotty gained valuable experience interning at Indiana Legal Services, the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, and a juvenile probation center.

Scotty has been a member of the Hanna Center Board of Directors since summer of 2022. She became secretary of the Board in summer of 2023. She then became President of the

Board in summer of 2024.

Scotty enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, and taking nostalgic walks around the Purdue campus.

Vice-President

Shelanda McGill-Hall

Shelanda is a valuable member of the Hanna Community Center's board of directors and currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. Shelanda grew up in Lafayette in the North End community. Her personal connection to Hanna as a youth and teenager fuels her passion for giving back to the center. Shelanda has a professional background in accounting and finance with her current role as Senior Financial Analyst for AES Indiana. Additionally, Shelanda is an active licensed Realtor and real estate broker with over 14 years of experience.

Shelanda brings valuable financial, real estate and property management expertise to the board. She is committed to supporting Hanna’s mission and vision, 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 on the board of Hanna Community Center.

Treasurer

Rocky Young

Rocky, the proprietor of Rocco’s Barbershop for Men and Women and the chairman of the Inspiring Youth Foundation, boasts over a decade of experience in the beauty care sector. Starting as a barber/stylist and now certified as a cosmetologist, barber, and educator, Mr. Young is now giving back to the industry by establishing Revival Barber and Beauty Academy.

His vision for the company involves inspiring and investing in others, leveraging technology to shape the industry's future. While Revival Barber and Beauty Academy is accessible for bookings on Booksy.com for haircuts and professional beauty products, Mr. Young aims to catalyze broader change, as he believes, "If we change one, that one may change many!"

Director

Eric Grossman

Eric Grossman lives in West Lafayette and has a passion for property valuation. He began real estate investing at 21, and really came to know the community. Eric first got into commercial property development in 2010 with the purchase of the old Sportsman’s Bar on Main Street in downtown Lafayette. As a contractor, he has been honored to help build and restore properties throughout Greater Lafayette, from medical offices and classroom space to retail and restaurant. Eric began working at the Assessors office in 2008 and found that his business and academic experience enabled him to utilize his technical skills and knowledge of real estate to excel in an administrative capacity.

DIrector

Sheila Klinker

Sheila Ann Klinker is a Democratic politician who is currently a member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 27th District since 1982. Born in
Indianapolis, Indiana, Klinker graduated from Purdue University with her Bachelor of Education in elementary education in 1961. Klinker later received her Master of Science from Purdue in 1970.

Klinker worked her entire teaching career for the Lafayette School Corporation. She began her teaching career in 1961 at Klondike Elementary School in West Lafayette, Indiana while also teaching at Edgelea Elementary School. In 1963, Klinker began teaching at Miami Elementary School in Lafayette, Indiana, until 1985. Klinker was also the outreach liaison at the Purdue University College of Education. Klinker currently serves on the House Committees for Agriculture and Rural Development, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety, and Ways and Means.

Board Member

Dr. Tim Pierce

Dr. Pierce currently serves as Administrative Director at Indiana University Health for the West Region where he oversees the hospital-based practice service lines. Prior to his arrival at IU Health, Pierce was at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, California as Director of Ambulatory Care with oversight of Medical Specialties. Pierce started his healthcare career in 2015 as a Community Pharmacist in Virginia where he practiced in for-profit and non-profit organizations.

During Pierce’s free time, he volunteers for the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. Indianapolis chapter, and was recently selected to serve on the board of directors for the Hanna Community Center in Lafayette, Indiana and Faith, Hope & Love Community in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pierce was recently chosen to serve a 3-year term on the Programs, Products and Services Committee for the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). He also enjoys playing golf and trying out new restaurants with his wife on the weekends.

Board Member

Theresa Loyd

Theresa is an exceptional resource to the Hannah Community Board of Directors. She has a diverse background with various supervising positions in the real estate industry, and her charitable work throughout our community. Some of her volunteer positions served are a Domestic Violence Advocate, CASA, & Mental Health Crisis Specialist has helped aim to improve the wellbeing of many individuals & families. She is passionate about the Hannah Center as it's her desire to bring different types of cultures, minority groups, and all different walks of life together, ensuring a safe and inclusive space within our Hannah Center.

When She's not fulfilling the dreams of first-time homebuyers or contributing her free time, she's enjoying nonfiction books, authentic cuisines, and engaging in physical activities.

Board Member

Gabriela Espinoza

Gabriela is dedicated to enriching the Lafayette community. As the Director of Sales and DEI at Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette, she leverages her expertise in nonprofit work and local business connections to support the Hanna Community Center's mission.

Gabriela values the center's vital role in enhancing the quality of life for residents. A proud Purdue University graduate, Gabriela is deeply involved in the Greater Lafayette community through coaching high school girls' soccer, participating in Greater Lafayette Young Professionals, and contributing to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

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.

Kajen Monroe, B.S., M.S.

Executive Director & IMHC Director of Tippecanoe County

Kajen Monroe is a dedicated leader with a passion for community engagement, wellness, and youth development. With a Master of Health Care Administration from Purdue University Global and a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Florida A&M University, Kajen brings a strong background in program development, strategic planning, and nonprofit leadership.

Kajen’s journey in the nonprofit sector began at the age of 12 as a participant in Aces in Motion, a community-based tennis program in Gainesville, FL, that not only taught the fundamentals of the sport but also instilled essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication. This early experience sparked a lifelong commitment to serving communities and empowering individuals to reach their full potential.

Throughout her career, Kajen has held key roles in program management and wellness initiatives, including serving as the High School Director for Aces in Motion and as a Professional Intern for Wellness Programs at Purdue University. In these roles, she successfully established partnerships with educational institutions, cultural centers, and local organizations to enhance access to resources, develop leadership programs, and foster student engagement.

Now, as the Executive Director, Kajen is committed to driving the organization’s mission forward by fostering meaningful community connections, expanding outreach initiatives, and creating impactful programs for youth and families.

Outside of her professional work, Kajen enjoys playing tennis, spending quality time with their son, and listening to music.

kajen@hannacntr.org

Bryanna Alvarez

Executive Assistant

Bryanna Alvarez serves as the Executive Assistant at Hanna Community Center. During the spring of 2020, Bryanna graduated McCutcheon High School with academic honors and the plans to receive her bachelor's degree in accounting at Purdue University.

Her plans for the future are to travel, graduate college, and receive her real estate license.

She enjoys helping her community as much as she can and started volunteering at Hanna at fourteen years old. Bryanna is excited to be part of Hanna's team and become a contributable community member.

bryanna@hannacntr.org

Carolyn Wright

Senior Coordinator

Carolyn has worked 25 plus years with not-for-profit organizations with the elderly population, young adults, pre-school, and high school students with special needs; one of the original staff at Hanna Community Center at its inception.

Ms. Carolyn has an Associate degree in Child Development and obtained a certification from the University of Ohio in Geriatric Care. Originally from Illinois but has lived in Indiana for 45 plus years.

senior@hannacntr.org

Chaianne Cannon

Youth Program Coordinator

Chaianne Cannon is the Youth Program Director at Hanna Community Center, where she oversees the planning and execution of youth programs aimed at empowering and engaging young individuals. With a Master of Public Administration from Indiana State University and six years of experience in youth development, Chaianne brings a strong foundation in youth development and a passion for fostering positive growth in youth. She is dedicated to creating inclusive, dynamic environments that inspire leadership and community involvement among young people.

In her free time, she can be found crocheting, escaping into a good book, writing poetry, or spending time with her family and friends.

youth@hannacntr.org

Tracy Orbin

Grants Manager

tracy@hannacntr.org

OUR STORY

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Vision & Values

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Promoting Health & Wellbeing in our Community

Our Board Members

Our Team.

Promoting Health & Wellbeing
in our Community