Cheria Caldwell is the Administrator of the Division of Community Nutrition and Food Policy for the Office of Public Health and Safety with the City of Indianapolis. Cheria has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning and a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. She is working diligently alongside some of Marion county’s most food insecure neighborhoods. Cheria was the Vice President of Communications & Engagement at CAFE for nearly 6 years. While serving on the Far Eastside, Cheria managed the bimonthly Food Drive serving 700+ residents. She also developed and managed the Far Eastside Women’s Health fair and workshops focused on reducing the infant mortality rate, Far Eastside Festival, Community Clean-ups, murals projects, the Kaboom Playground + Greenspace and the Far Eastside Orchard.

In 2016, Cheria served as the Community Engagement Coordinator at Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. Some of the notable Greenspace projects she assisted with are Shelton Heights and Flanner House.

Additionally, Cheria managed the adopt-a-block program which reached 1000+ participation under her leadership. In 2014. Cheria helped launch Groundwork Indy in the Riverside Community, which focused on beautification and urban farming while employing teens. She was also an Urban Planning Fellow for Big Car Collaborative which involved data collection and launched the creative placemaking project Spark on Monument Circle and Spark at the City Market in 2015. This early work laid the foundation for the current Spark Monument Circle activation. Cheria has also served as a Plan 2020 Intern and worked on the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Indianapolis.

She has extensive experience working in communities on sustainability and growth. In total she has participated in three Quality of Life plans, which include the Northwest Area. Southside and the Northeast Corridor. Cheria also participated in Great Places 2020 initiatives. Oaktree redevelopment with the City of Indianapolis and the Purple Line BRT Committee with IndyGo.