Spring 1998

Gerald Roberts presents King keynote

Despite continued racism, African-Americans have been blessed with some real opportunities, according to Gerald Roberts, a 1985 electrical engineering graduate who is an Indianapolis attorney. Roberts was the keynote speaker at Rose-Hulman’s 1998 observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. His topic was “The Challenges and Opportunities of Being an African-American in Indiana in 1998”.

The three major challenges facing Indiana African-Americans, according to Roberts, are:

• limited access to capital, both material and human;

• low expectations for African-Americans;

• denial that racism exists in our state and nation.

After outlining challenges facing African-Americans, Roberts turned to opportunities. He said there is no specific opportunity reserved exclusively for African-Americans, but “there is still more opportunity for advancement and success for even the most disenfranchised citizen of our country than for the majority of the people on the planet.”

Roberts is an associate with the Ice Miller Donadio & Ryan law firm in Indianapolis.