Dr. Harvey Middleton, who was the first African American physician to practice medicine at a major Indianapolis hospital, will be recognized Friday, July 10, at a celebration at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital. Eskenazi Health has named Dr. Harvey Middleton Way on its main campus in his honor. Family and friends of Dr. Middleton […]
Portia Bailey-Bernard, a summa cum laude graduate of IU McKinney in 2017, is the Vice President of Indianapolis Economic Development. Bailey-Bernard most recently served as an attorney at Kroger Gardis & Regis and had previously worked at Barnes & Thornburg. She advised businesses and local government entities with respect to state and local government incentives […]
From Leila Foley to Keisha Lance Bottoms, Black women have occupied high office in their cities.
A native of Indianapolis, Bruce Bryant launched Promotus Advertising in 1983, during a time when African American marketing firms did not exist in Indiana. Bruce was told many times his agency would fail. Well, he went on to build the oldest and most successful African American-owned agency in the state. As president and creative director, […]
Arnold Lee Mickens Jr. “Mick” was born October 12, 1972 in Indianapolis, Indiana He attended IPS and Franklin Township schools. He graduated from Broad Ripple High School in 1991. He received his BA from Butler University in 1996 and his MA from Indiana State University in 2009. Arnold had many accomplishments throughout his life. He […]
Joyce Q. Rogers, Esq. is a senior executive, visionary, and leader driving teams within complex organizations to achieve core business missions so they can grow and thrive through innovation, stewardship, and consensus-building. With more than 20 years of experience across operations, philanthropy, administration, marketing, diversity and inclusion and nonprofit areas, she is respected and recognized […]
As Deputy Chief of the Oversight, Audit and Performance Division Kendale Adams oversees policy development, general crime analysis, body-worn cameras, discipline and internal governance of the department. Deputy Chief Kendale Adams oversees the strategic direction of the department working closely with external, community and practitioners within the profession of law enforcement. Deputy Chief Adams has […]
Gregory W. Porter is a member of the 122nd Indiana General Assembly and is now serving his 14th term for the 96th Indiana House District in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is currently ranking minority member of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee and is a voting member of the State Budget Committee. Porter is also […]
RaeVen Ridgell was born in Mesa, Arizona in 1993 and graduated High School from William Henry Harrison in West Lafayette, IN. She attended Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Where she obtained Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science, Theatre Arts, and Africana Studies. She is currently in the Paul H. O’Neill graduate program where she is obtaining a […]
For 2022 we are honoring Indianapolis local black history makers on how it started and how it's going
Tony Mason is a visionary leader with a passion for service. He has dedicated the majority of his career to initiatives designed to enhance the quality of life for Indianapolis residents. During his tenure as the President & CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League, the IUL has become a Center for Working Families, expanded the […]
You can't talk about the history of comedy without mentioning a few names. Richard Pryor and Bernie Mac are two comedians are considered legends in stand-up comedy. But who was the first black comedian? What about the black female comedians?