More than 200 neighborhood leaders and area residents attended the City of Fort Wayne’s third Inspire Neighborhoods Conference, held today at Electric Works.
News release from the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana:
2025 neighborhoods conference Inspires more than 200 residents
Fort Wayne, Indiana (September 12, 2025) – More than 200 neighborhood leaders and area residents attended the City of Fort Wayne’s third Inspire Neighborhoods Conference, held today at Electric Works, 1020 Swinney Ave.
Hosted by the City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division and Department of Neighborhoods, the conference is designed to inspire residents with innovative ways to improve their neighborhoods.
This year’s conference also included recognition for an Association of the Year and three neighborhood leaders. Awards included:
- Association of the Year Award was presented to Mount Vernon Park Neighborhood for its outstanding work partnering with local nonprofits, schools and community organizations.
- Rising Star Award was presented to Jarettzie Dominguez, a young adult who tutors youth in the Mount Vernon Park Neighborhood and has helped improve literacy and reading comprehension scores of local elementary school students.
- Helping Hand Award was presented to Todd Walters, for his outstanding support of the Harvester Neighborhood. His collaborative efforts helped make two projects possible – the neighborhoods first official sign and a new community bus shelter. Both projects were made possible through partnerships with Fort Wayne Community Schools and Design Collaborative.
- Inspiring Leader Award was presented to Jessie Jackson for his hands-on service and transformative leadership as president of the Continental Park Neighborhood. Jackson is known for his ability to mobilize neighbors, revitalize community spaces and offer daily acts of kindness that uplift his community.
The free conference included access to workshops and speakers, as well as lunch and dinner all made possible by generous sponsors NIPSCO/NiSource Charitable Foundation, AARP Indiana, WesBanco, Ambassador Enterprises, Foellinger Foundation, Bowen Health, Fort Wayne New Markets Revitalization Fund and 1st Source Bank.
Also this year, a new partnership was announced with Indiana Michigan Power Foundation to impact local neighborhoods through a “Sparked at Inspire” grant program. More information will be shared at the December 1, 6 p.m. Neighborhood Presidents’ Meeting in the lower level of Citizens Square, 200 E. Berry St.
This year’s conference theme was wellness. The well-being of residents and neighborhoods was explored through sessions about mental health, the impact of trauma on neighborhoods, ways to build resilient leaders, and how to encourage physical activity in neighborhoods. Other session topics included fundraising, zoning, public transportation, language access, storytelling and more.
The lunchtime plenary speaker for the 2025 Inspire conference was JR Jamison, host of the NPR podcast and radio show The Facing Project. The dinner keynote speaker was Sharon Tubbs, a local writer, speaker and executive director of HealthVisions Midwest.
The City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division works to enhance economic opportunity, build strong neighborhoods and ensure a dynamic framework for growth and development. The Division’s departments include Neighborhood Code Compliance, Neighborhoods, the Office of Housing and Neighborhood Services, Redevelopment/Economic Development, and Planning & Policy. Visit CityofFortWayne.in.gov/CD for more information.
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