Imani Unidad founder Debra Stanley receives South Bend's Key to the City

There was hustling and bustling at the Charles Martin Youth Center on Lincoln Way West. Please come to the back door and wait here. Take a seat. The event will start soon.

The event was for an idea person. A mentor. It was the recent presentation of the Key to the City to Debra Stanley. Debra is a counselor, advocate for social justice, educator, and founder and executive director of Imani Unidad. “Imani” is Swahili for faith, and “unidad” is Spanish for unity. That combines a lot of good in one name.

Imani Unidad, which is in its 20th year, offers counseling and information to HIV patients or people with substance abuse issues. The organization provides structure to many different outreach groups in the community, including peer-to-peer mentoring for ex-offenders, referral services and online AIDS resources.

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People say she sees problems and tries to fix them. She is associated with Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns and the GLBT Resource Center. Debra has served as past director of prevention education with AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist and was a case manager with the Chapin Street Clinic (the Sister Maura Brannick Health Center).

She does dig into issues. She gives hope and direction to many, according to her fans.

Attendees were told that there was plenty of time for the noon presentation because Debra is always late. However, for some reason she was on time and people hustled a bit quicker.

Debra is full of surprises and joy. She has an easy smile and warmth. She isn’t lost for words, but she claimed she was speechless with the surprise event. She expected to attend a board meeting on community issues. “I am grateful to see all these people,” she said.

The crowd gave her a standing ovation when she entered the gym for the presentation.

Mayor James Mueller said it was about time to recognize her. “When I was told she was nominated, I said, ‘Hell, yes.’ She has a lifetime of achievements. She fights for what is right. She has joy in making things right.”

The mayor said Debra is known to say: “Fighting s**t that ain’t right is in my soul.”

“She has an impressive track record and a lifetime of achievements,” Mayor James said. “She is an effective fighter for those who need her.” He continued that her joy in life is getting things fixed.

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The gift of the key is usually given as a retirement gift or for someone who is moving. Mayor James said Debra is not going anywhere. “It is a key that will keep you here.”

Gladys Muhammad spoke of her friendship with Debra. “She is dedicated to social justice. Debra stood up to injustice as a child. She is still standing up for education, social justice and sexual health. Debra, we love you.”

April Lidinsky, Indiana University South Bend professor, said “this was an important opportunity to recognize the longtime work of a Black woman leader in our community.”

Debra was born in South Bend and moved to Oakland, Calif., at the age of 10. She experienced prejudice from a teacher who spat in her face. She challenged the teacher. The challenge ended with a paddling and a suspension for Debra. It was worth it, she said.

It showed her spirit, and that worked for her through the years. Years later, she was a guard at San Quentin Prison in California. “I greeted everyone. I worked with convicts and teens. They didn’t know that they had a special gift, and we would find them,” Debra said.

Later she returned to South Bend, and she dedicated herself to understanding perspectives. She found in the early days of HIV/AIDS no one was listening or helping. She learned about the disease and prevention. She took the message into classrooms, churches or anyone who would listen.

Debra said listening is the key to many problems, listening to everyone. “Listen to concerns and fears.”

South Bend Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski said Debra has the heart to be involved in everything. “She is confident, and she knows the community. She asks me what she can do to help. Debra is ready to dig in. Debra makes herself available. She has ideas about finding solutions. She is a rock, a mentor to me.”

Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: HIV educator, community activist receives South Bend's key to the city