New leader for Reparatory Justice Commission

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Reparatory Justice Commission in South Bend is now under new leadership, Trina Robinson, the current President of the South Bend NAACP will be the new Chairperson, replacing Darryl Heller.

The move follows calls from the South Bend Chapter for Black Lives Matter and other activists for the chairman to step down, taking their concerns to tonight's commission meeting.

Namely, BLM leaders said they are looking for a chair who prioritizes community education and outreach.

"Last year we had made the call for a change in leadership, we wanted Dr. Darryl Heller to step down because we feel that he was not leading in a way that is centered in the interest of the black community," stated BLM Co-Founder Jorden Giger.

Darryl Heller did step down at tonight's meeting, but says the move is not in response to their demands, but instead to focus on his health journey after being diagnosed with cancer.

"I'm at a point in my treatment where I really need to back up and focus on my health. But I'm leaving the commission both with a heavy heart but also in very good hands," stated Heller.

Trina Robinson goes on to state, "Darryl does have some big shoes that I'm trying to fill, and it will take the work of not only the commission but also the community, and I just hope the community is fired up and ready to do the work that is necessary for us to move forward."

Robinson's first meeting as chair of the commission will be on April 1.