Carver Community Center has a new executive director

May 23—Leadership at the Carver Community Center is changing.

JC Barnett III became the center's executive director April 2.

In an email to the Tribune, Barnett said he's been a "Carver kid" his entire life.

"I grew up playing basketball and being involved in various activities at Carver since early childhood," Barnett wrote. "I wanted to make a difference and impact the lives of young people in that capacity the way so many did for me as a youth."

Jeff Isaac, vice president of the carver center, explained the board of directors voted to replace former executive director Dantά Rogers in March.

"We have revised our vision and are moving quickly to implement the new direction," Isaac wrote in an email to the Tribune. "The board felt new leadership was required to take Carver in the new direction."

He did not respond to further inquiry about what that new direction would be.

Although Rogers declined to comment for this story, he did post a statement on the Carver Community Center's Facebook page April 3. The post has since been deleted.

In the post, Rogers said he found out he was being let go April 1. Other than being told the board of directors wanted to go in a different direction, he said he did not receive an explanation for why he was being fired.

He thanked the center's sponsors, donors and the people who supported him throughout his years as executive director. He also thanked his wife, and the center's staff and volunteers.

"It's been 10 years I put my blood, sweat and tears in CCC and I think I did a great job considering I didn't have much of a budget," Rogers said. "It was my heart and a honor to work for the center."

Barnett was already on the board's radar when it decided to replace Rogers, Isaac said. He had caught their attention during an interview to become a board member. The board's vice president added Barnett's skill set, reputation and accomplishments lined up with what they were looking for in a new director. Barnett was offered the role before the Carver Community Center could advertise it.

As executive director, Isaac said Barnett will be responsible for the development, execution and administration of policies and programs approved by the board of directors.

Barnett said he was humbled to be considered for the position.

"I'd known that for so many years my life, career paths and business had prepared me for such a job as being the ED of Carver," he wrote. "I had an opportunity to think about it, and the more I did I began to see it more as a calling on my life rather than a job. I love working with the youth, and here is an opportunity to reach countless youth."

Meet the new executive director

Prior to his work with the Carver Community Center, Barnett served as the financial aid counselor and the Veterans Affairs certifying official at Indiana University Kokomo. The Kokomo native also served as director for the school's Black Student Center.

He described himself as a lover of history, said he loves the town he grew up in and sees a tremendous amount of potential in Kokomo.

One of the coolest things about the Carver Community Center, he added, is that "history is embedded in its walls."

"When you walk though you can just feel the power and richness of its history," Barnett wrote. "And when you investigate further you find extraordinary people and activities have occurred within these very walls."

The new executive director is also a painter and runs the JC Barnett School of Jump Shooting.

Growing up playing basketball, Barnett said, he had a natural ability to shoot the ball. He said he was usually one of the best shooters on the teams he played for, which gave him time on the court.

"Basketball is for everyone, but it is really no secret that it is a tall person's game," Barnett wrote. "If you've ever seen me you'd know that I'm not a very tall guy at all, and shooting the basketball allowed me to be a special part of the game."

His tagline is "A jump shooter is always in the game." He said he believes in the statement and wanted to help others believe in themselves. He has been training young people for eight years.

Barnett explained he got into art early in his life by watching his grandmother doodle on envelopes and notebooks. He started drawing with a pencil and eventually picked up every medium he could get his hands on.

Watercolor and oil painting satisfy his art cravings most, though. Barnett said he will always find time to paint, even when life gets hectic.

He added he sees everything as a form of art.

"Education is an essential part of a young person's growth process," he wrote. "There is no better way to learn that from an artist viewpoint."

From a classroom setting to sports, games and gardening, Barnett said elements of art can be present in the way young people are approached and taught.

"I look forward to leading in education at the Carver Community Center through a fun, active, and interactive learning environment that challenges youth and gets them thinking artistically and outside of the box," Barnett wrote.

He said the only change he plans to implement at the center is a culture of learning.

"I believe sports and various forms of athletics have a home at Carver Center, but it is not what we will hang our hat on," Barnett said. "We will lead in the area of education at Carver, and everything will be a by-product of our successes in education."

Isaac said the new executive director is off to a good start and the board of directors expect that to continue.

Barnett said he spent his first month as executive director to learn the office space, get acclimated to the center's resources and meeting the center's staff and patrons.

"I couldn't ask for a better group of people to work with on a daily basis," he wrote. "They have good hearts, they enjoy being here and doing everything they can to make the Carver Center a pleasant environment for youth and their families."

James Bennett III can be reached at 765-454-8580 or james.bennett@kokomotribune.com.