Indianapolis Society of African-American History & Culture
"GATEKEEPERS OF A LEGACY"
Reclaiming, Promoting, & Celebrating the
Historic Black Experience of
Indianapolis, Indiana
VOTING MATTERS 2020
*REGISTER TO VOTE*
THEN VOTE LIKE YOU
NEVER VOTED BEFORE!
IT'S WHAT OUR ANCESTORS AND LEADERS FOUGHT, BLED, & DIED FOR
Sis. Paula Livers-Powell, Founder/Publisher
Indianapolis Society of African-American History & Culture
(ISAAHC)
www.BlackINdy.org.
sistapauladoc@yahoo.com
Row One: Dr. Mari Evans, Mother Bethel A.M.E, Honorable Julia Carson, Wes Montgomery, Charles Williams
Row Two: Yvonne Perkins, Crispus Attucks Tigers, Major Taylor, Delores "Sugar" Poindexter, Sam Jones
Rev. Dr. Andrew J. Brown
Row Three: Fr. Boniface Hardin, Dr. Martha Mitchell, Dr. John Morton-Finney, Esq., James Baskett
Honorable Willliam Crawford, Bernetta Sloss-Tanner, Noble Sissle, James Bassett
Row Four: Cosmo Knights Logo, Historic Holy Angels Catholic Church, Martin University, Madame C.J. Walker Bldg.
Crispus Attucks High School Historic Marker
(learn more about each historical figure via google or wikipedia)
ICONS, LEGENDS & LEADERSHIP
Black Indy "aka" Indianapolis, Indiana is the birthplace or permanent residenceof many outstanding invididuals who served the Indianapolis community and beyond. This page is dedicated to the legacies and contributions they have made to help make our community what it is today and this nation overall. I encourage all of our visitors to please forward names and contributions of those who may not appear in this first phase. Social and Cultural history seeks to give voice to those who may not always be known in traditional ways. Dr. King said it best..."anyone can be great because anyone can serve" Please contact us at BlackINdy.org
It's time to Begin and Honor these Individuals known as Gatekeepers of A Legacy
"GATEKEEPERS OF OUR PAST"
Mary Ellen Cable George P. Stewart Lillian Thomas-Fox
GATEKEEPERS OF OUR EARLY FOUNDATIONS
Mary Ellen Cable, Founder & 1st President of Indianapolis NAACP, 1912, IPS School Teacher, President of Colored Women's Civic Club, member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Rev. Moses Broyles, Founder/Pastor, Second Baptist Church, 1846. former slave to freeman, teacher, Community Leader
William Paul Quinn & Augustus Turner, Founders of Bethel A.M.E. Church, 1836, location of Indianapolis Underground Railroad, known as the "Mother Church," and is a registered landmark
Madame C.J. Walker, Businesswoman, Entrepreneur, Philantropist, Civil Rights Advocate, established the Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Co. & Theater, 1910 in Indianapolis
George P. Stewart, Founder/Publisher/Editor, Indianapolis Recorder, 1872. Civic Leader, established one of the oldest black publication still in operation in the nation
William H. Porter, Co-Founder/Publisher Indianapolis Recorder, 1872
Lillian Thomas-Fox, 1st African-American Female Journalist in Indianapolis. 1st black woman reporter hired by the Indianapolis
News, 1903. Reporter for Indianapolis Recorder & Founder of the Women's Improvement Club
William H. Porter, Co-Founder/Publisher Indianapolis Recorder, 1872
Robert Bruce Bagby, Educator and Pubisher Indianapolis Leader, 1872
1st black member of Indianapolis City Council
Edward C. Freeman, Founder, Indianapolis Freeman, 1888
Edwin F. Horn & Levi Christy Co-Founders Colored World Magazine, 1888
Alexander E. Manning, Publisher/Editor Indianapolis World (formerly the Colored World) in 1890's (32 years), Official courier for the Democratic National Committee for thirty years
Bishop Garfield Thomas Haywood, Founder /Christ Temple Apostolic Church & Pentecostal Assemblies of the World
William D. McCoy, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, namesake of School #24 Lockfield Gardens
Freeman Ransom, Esq. Prominent Attorney and Corporate lawyer and counsel to Madame C. J. Walker/Founder, Ransom Place District Founder/Civic Leaders
GATEKEEPERS OF SOCIAL CHANGE & SOCIAL JUSTICE
Frank Beckwith, Esq. 1st African-American to run for U.S. President, Prominent Attorney and Civil Rights Advocate
Robert Brokenburr, Esq. 1st Black elected to Indiana State Senate, member Better Indianapolis League, Civil Rights Attorney
James Sidney Hinton, 1st Back elected to Indiana State House of Representatives
Opal Tandy, Founder/ Publisher Indiana Herald Newspaper
Mr. Junius "Rainey" Bibbs, Pro Baseball Player - Negro Baseball League (1933-44) and IPS Educator
Dr. Cleo Blackburn, Flanner House Director (39 yrs), HBCU College President/Civil Rights Activist
Robert DeFrantz, Founder, Executive Director Community Action Against Poverty (C.A.A.P.)
Mr. Sam Jones, 1st Executive Director Indianapolis Urban League/Civil Rights Advocate/Visionary
Rev. Andrew J. Brown, Senior Pastor St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Chief Architect of Indianpolis Civil Rights Movement/ Founder Indiana Black Expo/Community Organizer
Rev. Mozell Sanders, Senior Pastor Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church/Civil Rights Advocate/ Founder Mozell Sanders' Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
Rev. Luther C. Hicks, Founder Black Odyssey Museum, Past President Indiana Black Expo, Civil Rights Activist
James "Jim" Cummings, Co-Founder Indiana Black Expo, Appointed United States Cabinet, Asst. Secretary, Housing & Development (HUD), Entreprenuer
Rev. Arthur Johnson, SeniorPastor, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church/ Civil Rights LeaderDr.
A.D. Pickney, D.D.S., Legendary Past President Indianapolis NAACP/ instrumental in leading desegregation and civil rights efforts in Indianapolis to promote equal access and opportunity/Professional Dental Practive
Sis. Edna Mae Barnes Martin, Founder/Director Eastside Christian Center, Missionary/ Community Organizer
Rev. Charles W. Williams, President, Indiana Black Expo/Political Activist
Rev. Wayne T. Harris, Pastor, Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church/
Civil Rights Activist
Sis. Wilma Nelson, Evangelist, Director of Youth Program Frederick Douglass Park Community Center/Civil Rights Activist
Bishop James E. Tyson, Founder, Christ Church Apostolic, purchased buildings and property on Grandview from first African-American Country Club Association in Indianapolis
Rev. Dr. Landrum Shields, Founder/Senior Pastor, Covenant Community Church/ 1st African-American President of Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Commissioner and Founder of 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, Civil Rights Leader
*The Honorable Joseph Summers, Indiana State Representative, Owner,Joseph Summers Funeral Home and Chapel
The Honorable Julia D. Carson, 1st African-American United States Congresswoman from Indianapolis, Indiana State Legislator, Civil Rights Advocate
Mattie Cooney, Educator/ Organizer/Founder, The Citizens Forum
Andrew Foster, Owner, Foster Hotel & Lounge/Civil Rights Activist
Etheridge Knight, Black Arts Poet, Indy resident who received national acclaim for his literary works
GATEKEEPERS OF EDUCATION
Dr. Mathias Nolcox, Ph.D., Harvard University, 1st Principal of Crispus Attucks High School
Dr. John Morton-Finney, Esq., Attorney, Educator, Buffalo Soldier, Activist/Civic Leader
Mrs. Francis W. Parker, noted Educator and namesake of IPS Elementary School #56 now known as a Montessori School on the historic Eastside
Mrs. Vivian Terry Moore, Founder, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc, 1922 Butler University/Crispus Attucks Administrator/Educator/Civic Leader
Mr. Ray Crowe, Champion Basketball Coach, Crispus Attucks High School, 1955 State Championship Basketball
Mr. Earl Donaldson, Last African-American Principal to serve Crispus Attucks before its closure as all black high school in 1985
Mr. Louis B. Russell, Educator/ 1st Longest Living Heart Transplant Patient in the country
Lt. Graham E. Martin, Educator/ CAHS Footbal Coach/Naval Officer - Part of the "Golden Thirteen," first African-American commissioned and warrant officers to serve in U.S. Navy
Dr. Joseph T. Taylor, Dean Indiana University-Purdue University, Administrator/ Professor/Community Activist
GATEKEEPERS OF LEGAL & MEDICAL ADVOCACY
Henry J. Richardson, Jr., Esq., Indiana State Legislator, Civil Rights Attorney
Atty. John Preston Ward, Esq. Prominent Civil Rights Attorney who was totally blind. Served as Director of Indiana Civil Liberties Union
Judge Mercer Mance, Esq., 1st Black Judge on State Superior Court
Willard Ransom, Esq., General Counsel Madama C.J. Walker Co./ Co-Founder Indiana Black Expo
Harriette Bailey Conn, Esq. 1st Black Appointed Indiana State Public Defender
Judge Z. Mae Jimison, Esq. Superior Court/Civil Rights Advocate
Judge Clarence Bolden, Sr., Esq., Municipal & Superior Courts
Judge Rufus C. Kuykendall, Esq., Superior Court/U.S. Civil Rights Commission
John Moss, Esq.,/Lead Attorney for Desegregation of Indianapolis Public Schools/Civil Rights Advocate/Humanitarian
Dr. Lehman Adams, D.D.S., 1st African-American on Board of Trustees Citizens Gas, Civil Rights Advocate and co-founder of Circle City
Classic
Dr. Frank Lloyd, MD, Surgeon, President/CEO Methodist Hospital, Co-Founder 1st black full-time WTLC FM-Radio Station
Dr. Frank P. Johnson,M.D, Director of Marion County Heath Department, Delivered the Gaither Quintuplets, Co-Founder 100 Black Men, Indianapolis
Dr. Edward Thomas, M.D., Renown Family Medicine/Allergist (50 yrs)
GATEKEEPERS OF CIVIC & COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
Mr. Albert Booth, Real Estate Broker/Civil Rights Advocate
W. T. Ray, Civic Leader, Realtor, Government Official State of Indiana
Roy Howard, Sr., 1st Black Fire Captain, Indianapolis Fire Department
Mr. William "Bill" Henry, 1st African-American Franchise Owner of McDonald's in Indianapolis/Entrepenuer/Philantrophist
Mr. Theodore Boyd, Fall Creek YMCA Executive Director/Playwright
Mr. Charles "Snookie" Hendricks, Urban Union/Community Activist
Bea Moten, School of Charm and Modeling/Historian/Activist
Dolores "Sugar" Poindexter, Gospel Radio Host, Evangelist
Lynn Ford, Journalist Indianapolis Star & News, Indianapolis
Recorder
Etheridge Knight, Black Arts Poet, Indy resident who received national acclaim for his literary works
Mr. Lucious Newsom, Founder, The Lord's Pantry - Anna's House, Inc.
GATEKEEPERS OF MUSICIAL & CULTURAL ARTS
(Reginald Duvalle & Blackbirds, Erroll Gandy, R.Brown, A. Dailey, L. Newsome)
Reginald Duvalle, Pianist, Accordinist, Band Leader Duvalle & the Blackbirds
Erroll "Groundhog" Gandy, Pianist & legendary "Godfather" of Indianapolis Jazz
Mr. Russell Brown, Renown Band Director CAHS, Jazz Musician, Educator
Dr. LaVerne Newsome, 1st African-American to join Indianapolis Phiharmonic Orchestra in 1940. Director CAHS & LWCC Symphonic Orchestras. At 93 years old awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters - Wabash College
Anderson T. Dailey, CAHS Choir Director/ Mentor/Composer of Gospel Music
Noble Sissle, Known as Vaudevillian Team Sissle & Black who wrote Ragtime compositions and Broadway song, "I'm Just Wild about Harry" (Shuffle Along) with partner Eubie Blake, /Founder Negro Actor's Guild
James Baskett, Actor, "Uncle Remus" Song of the South, Honorary Academy Awardee
Wes Montgomery, World Renown Jazz Guitarist & Indianapolis resident
Al "Pookie"Johnson, Legendary Indiana Ave. Jazz Saxophonist
Freddie Hubbard, Nationally Renown Jazz Musician Trumpeter
Jimmy Coe, Jazz Saxophonist, Indiana Avenue Legend
O. B. Manning, RenownComposer, Director, Musician, Organist, Educator
James Clardy, Minister of Music, Charter Founder of Gospel Music Workshop of America, Indianapolis Chapter, Director Operation Breadbasket Choir
William "Billy" Ellis, Legendary Indianapolis Musician Extraordinaire, Songwriter, Keyboardist
"GATEKEEPERS OF THE PRESENT"
Andre Carson Alpha Blackburn Rodnie Bryant
INFLUENTIAL COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
The Honorable Andre Carson, United States Congressman of Indiana, 1st African-American Male, elected to United State Congress from Indianapolis, Indiana. Grandson for the late U.S. Representative, Julia. D. Carson
Chrystal Ratcliff, President, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP - Unit #3053) Greater Indianapolis Branch
Mr. Joseph Slash, President Indianapolis Urban League/ 1st Black Deputy Mayor of Indianapolis
Olgen Williams, Current Deputy Mayor Indianapolis, 1st Black "Mayor," of Haughville
Tanya Bell, Esq. President and CEO, Indianapolis Black Expo(IBE)
Rev. C.L. Day, President, Concerned Clergy, Inc.
Dennis Bland, Esq., President, Center for Leadership Development
Turae Dabney, Executive Director, Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce
The Honorable Tanya Walton-Pratt, 1st African-American Federal District Court Judge in Indiana appointed by President Barack Obama
Alpha Blackburn, Founder, Blackburn Associates Architects/Civic Leader/ Philantrophist
Murvin S. Enders, Executive Director 100 Black Men, Civic Leader
Deloris Strum, National President, Coalition of 100 Black Women, Past President, Coalition of 100 Black Women, Indianapolis Chapter
Amos Brown, Indiana Hall of Fame Award winning Journalist, Radio Host, "Afternoon with Amos," highest rated black-orientated talk show in America, Community Advocate/Activist
Clarence Crain, Program Director, Education Division, Lilly Endowment/Civic Leader/ Retired Executive General Motors Co.
SPIRITUAL/RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Bishop T. Garrot Benjamin, Jr., Founder, Resident Bishop/Senior Pastor Light of the World Christian Church/Civil Rights Leader/ Author/Founder of Tom Benjamin School of Ministry
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey A. Johnson, Senior Pastor Eastern Star Church/Founder, Kingdom Word Ministries/Asst. Chaplain, Indiana Pacers/Author/Officer Baptist Ministers Alliance
Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Clay, Senior Pastor, Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, President, Baptist Ministers Alliance/Civil Rights Activist
Rev. Dr. Melvin Girton, Senior Pastor, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church /Civil Rights Advocate/National Baptist Convention Church Historian/Author/Co- Founder, Baptist Ministers Alliance
Rev. Father Boniface Hardin, Founder, Martin University/Activist/ Former Spiritual Leader St. Rita's Catholic Church
Rev. Dr. Billye Bridges, Executive Director, Christian Education, Disciples of Christ Christian Church/ Author/ Educator
Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Senior Pastor, Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Civil Rights Advocate/Radio Host/Founder, Andrew J. Brown Academy
Rev. Dr. Theron D. Williams, Senior Pastor, Mt. Caramel Church, 1st Vice-President Baptist Ministers Alliance, Community Activist, NAACP
BUSINESS & ECONOMIC COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
*Marion Stuart, Founder, Stuart Moving & Storage/Civil Rights Advocate
Payton Wells, 1st African-American Owner/Operator Chevrolet Car Dealership in Indianapolis
Alpha Blackburn, Founder, Blackburn Associates Architects/Civic Leader/ Philantrophist
*Gene McFadden, CEO-Freight Masters/Civic Leader/ Entrepeneur
*William "Bill" Mays, Publisher Indianapolis Recorder, CEO Mays Chemical Company, Owner/Publisher Indianapolis Recorder
*Yvonne Perkins,C.P.A., Vice-President Community Relations Citizens Energy, Past National Tresurer Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.,
Ronald Jones, Legendary Owner/President of Barbeque Heaven, Inc, Restaurants are located on Historic Westside, Eastside, Lucas Oil Stadium, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mr. Jones has opened a food distribution operation as well. Founded by his family in 1952, Mr. Jones is known for his philantropy and dedicated service to the community.
Joe Clark, President/CEO, Indianapolis International Airport
Mr. Moses Gray, Corporate Executive, Founder Black Adoption Committee, Civic Leader, Organized 100 Black Men of Indianapolis
Chef Lee Marble, Entrepreneur/Award Winning Caterer, Owner/Operator Marble's Southern Cookery
*James Robinson, President Construction Concepts/ Co-Founder Indiana Black Alumni Council/Community Advocate
Leeland Thomas, Owner, ERA LM Thomas & Associates, 1st African-American licensed for National Real Estate Franchise ERA
Elisabetta Goodall, Owner/Operator Madame C.J. Walker Beauty Salon
Dell Flemister, Retired Owner of Legendary Shrimp Hut Restaurants, Historian, Community Mentor
ICONIC LEGAL LEADERSHIP
Roderick Bohannon, Esq. Dir. Indiana Legal Services, Past President NAACP, Greater Indianapolis Branch #3053
Ms. Fay Williams, Esq. Founder, 100 Black Women/ Civil Rights Advocate
Bernard Huff, Esq. Founder, Indianapolis Professional Association (IPA)/Mediator/Civil Rights Litigation
Dennis Courtlandt Hayes, Esq, Past Interim President of the National NAACP & General Counsel /Civil Rights Advocate/Author/Crispus Attucks Alum
Mr. Joseph Smith, Esq. Human Rights Commission State of Indiana
Yvonne Ferguson-Watkins, Esq., Criminal Law, Radio Host, Civic Leader
ICONIC EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
*Dr. Martha Mitchell, Founder Indiana Black Alumni Council/ Founder, Center for Leadershp Development/ Stanford University Professor/Educator
Dr. Percy Clark, 1st African-American Superintendent, Lawrence Twp. Schools/Professor/ Author/Educator
Dr. Eugene White, Superintendent Indianapolis Public Schools - 1st African-American Superintendent Washington Twp. Schools
Dr. Nate Jones, 1st African-American Superintendent Pike Twp. Schools, 2011 NAACP Lifetime Membership Recipient
Dr. Nikki Woodson, 1st African-American Female Superintendent Washington Twp. School
Dr. Mary Busch, Longest Serving Member IPS Board of School Commissioners/Educator/College Administrator, Civic Leader
Dr. Jacqueline Greenwood, 1st Female H.S. Principal in IPS Schools, Longest Serving Principal at Arlington High School
Ms. Pat Payne, Founder, Crispus Attucks Museum/ IPS Multicultural Education/ TV Show Host - Educational TV /Community Advocate
ICONIC LEADERSHIP IN MEDIA & BLACK PUBLICATIONS
George VanSickles, President VAS, Founder Burghardt-Taliferro InstituteAward Winning Professional Photographer and Archivists of the Indianapolis Black Experience, Community Activists, Founding Committee of Indianapolis Black Expo - St. John Missionary Baptist Church SCLC Branch, NAACP Executive Committee
Barbara Boyd, 1st African-American Female News Anchorwoman in Indianapolis, WRTV and Inductee to Indianapolis Journalism Hall of Fame/ Civic Leader/Indianapolis Legend Honoree
Eunice Trotter, 1st African-American Editor Indianapolis Star, 1st Female Owner/ Publisher Indianapolis Recorder
Ricky Clark, Founder, Indiana Minority Business Magazine, Diversity Focus Today, Part of the first group of DJs for all black FM radio station WTLC
Shannon Williams, President/General Manager Indianapolis Recorder, Indiana Minority Business Magazine
Cliff Robinson, Founder/Publisher Scoops The Entertainment Source Magazine, Prominent Businessman and Cultural Custodian
Shari Finnell, Editor-in-Chief, Indianapolis Woman Magazine
Erika Smith, Reporter /Columunist Indianapolis Star & News
Sis. Paula Livers-Powell, Founder/Publisher BlackINdy.org, Diaspora News, Sankofa Chronicles, Founder/President, Indianapolis Society for African-American History & Culture (ISAAHC), Founding Dean/Director Emeritus, African-American Student Life Resouce & Cultural Center, University of California Santa Cruz, CAHS Alumn
Ralph Adams, Founder, Ralph Adams Jazz, Blues, & Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award, Jazz Promoter and Indy Jazz DJ, WICR 88.7
Tony Lamont, Radio Show Host Unity in the Community AM 1310 Commentator, Legendary Radio Announcer for WTLC -FM, first black FM station in Indianapolis/Community Advocate
Thomas J. "Sparkle Soxx" Griffin, Legendary Radio Personality, Announcer, Promoter and DJ in Indy, one of the early Disc Jockey affiliated with the all-black WTLC-FM station in Indianapolis as first of host of "Saturday Night Basement Party"
Lonell "King Ro" Conley, Legendary Blues Radio Announcer, Blues Director Jazz City, former Indianapolis City County Councilman
Sherma Wise-Thomas, Associate Editor, Who's Who in Black Indianapolis, Award Winning Broadcast Journalist
Brandon Perry, Senior Reporter, Indianapolis Recorder, Editor, Indiana Minority Business Magazine, Editor, Eastern Star Chronicles
Derrick Thomas, Award Winning Journalist, Senior Reporter WRTV News, and first African-American man to have the longest running career in the TV news industry as a newsreporter
GATEKEEPERS OF HISTORY & CULTURE
Mr. Thomas Howard Ridley, Author, Cultural Preservationist, Indiana Avenue Historic Neighborhood "Expert," Docent/Tour Guide Madame C. J. Walker Theater/Museum
*Dr. Mari Evans, Poet Laureate, Cultural Activist, Executive Producer "The Black Expereince T.V. Show
*Dr. Gilbert Taylor, Founding Curator/Director Crispus Attucks Museum
Dr. Stanley Warren, Founder, African-American Studies, Depauw University, Historian, Author, Civic Leader
*Mrs. Wilma Moore, Senior Archivist, Indiana Historical Society- African-American History Division
Mashariki & Kamau Jywanza, Founders of Indianapolis Kwanzza Committee,
Ophelia Wellington, Founder/Executive Director Freetown Village
Wilma Greene, Black Theater Arts Troupe & Movement in Indianapolis
Helen Whitelowe, Founder, Soul People Repertory Company, Actress/ Playwright/Community Activist
Glenn White, Co-Founder Soul People Repertory Company/Actor/ Author/Playwright
MEDICAL ICONS OF INDIANAPOLIS
Dr. Virginia Caine, M.D. Director, Marion County Health Department, Radio Host on Health and Wellness
Dr. Woodrow Myers, MD., MBA, 1st African-American Healthcare Executive, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Wellpoint Health Network
Dr. Leonard Scott, D.D.S., Bishop, Gospel Recording Artist, Founder of TyScot Records
Dr. George H. Rawls, M.D., Prominent Surgeon, Past President Aesculapian, Indianapolis, and Indiana Medical Societies, Author
Dr. Paul Terry Batties, M.D.,1st, Black Cardiologist in Indianapolis
Dr. Robert Collins, M.D. Oldest African-American medical practice in Indianapolis
Dr. Arthur Sumrall, M.D., Founder, Longevity Institute, Board Certified Dermatologist/Author/Community Service/Philantrophist
Dr. Eric Yancy, M.D., Pediatrician/Renown Gospel Vocalist/Humanitarian
ICONIC POLITICAL & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
*The Honorable Glen Howard, Indiana State Representative, City County Councillor, Founder, United Northwest Area(UNWA)
The Honorable Patrice Abduallah, Community Activist, City County Councillor
*The Honorable William "Bill" Crawford, Indiana State House Representative, Past President Indiana Black Expo, Civil Rights Advocate
The Honorable Billie Breaux, Former Indiana State House Representative, City of Indianapolis Auditor
The Honorable Vanessa Summers, Indiana State Assembly Representative, Chair, Indiana Black Legislative Caucus
The Honorable Andre Carson, 1st African-American Male, elected to United State Congress from Indianapolis, Indiana. Grandson for the late Julia. D. Carson, U.S. Congresswoman
The Honorable Gregory Porter, Indiana State Assembly Representative
The Honorable Rozelle Boyd, Elder Statesman, City County Councilman
Frank J. Anderson, 1st African-American to serve as Marion County Sheriff Appointed U.S. Marshall of Southern Indiana
Melvin Carraway, 1st Superintendent of Indiana State Police
James Toler, 1st African-American Chief of Police of Indianapolis
Henry Tanner, Retired, 1st African-American Battlion Chief, Indianapolis, Indiana, Retired Founding Member, Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association
ICONIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS & GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP
Mr. Reginal "Reggie" Jones, Founder IMANI/Community Activist/Black Male Mentor and Youth Advocate
Carl W. Holifield, Founder/Chairman Student Fellowship for Blacks, Inc.
Mr. Berto "Nyofu" Elmore, Esq., Community Organizer/Urban Legend/Civil Rights/Criminal Attorney, Philadelphia, PA
Mr. Homer Smith, Former Vice-President & 2011 Life Membership Award NAACP, Past Official Indianapolis Black Expo , Political Activist, Cosmo Knights Officer, Community Organizer
Mr. Hoyt Diamond, 1st Black Air Traffic Controller hired from Indianapolis
Ms. Phyllis Carr, Asst. Secretiary NAACP/Former, Indiana Black Expo Board Member & Organizer, Martin University Administrator/IBE Historian/Community Activist/Ladies of St. Peter Claver Auxillary
George VanSickles, Founder, Burghardt/Taliferro Institute, Indiana Black Expo Historian/Professional Photographer/Community Organizer
William "Bill" Petty, Founder Black Youth on the Move, Community Organizer/ Prominent Entrepreneur
Mashariki & Kamau Jywanza, Founders of Indianapolis Kwanzza Committee
*Mrs. Rosalee Brown, Advocate/Founder Central Indiana Council on Aging/Civil Rights Activist/Community/Civic Leader
CREATIVE, ARTISTIC & MUSICAL LEGENDS OF INDIANAPOLIS
*Cynthia Layne-Harden, Renown Jazz Recording Artist and Vocalist in the Indianapolis Community. A local favorite at Indy's own exclusive Jazz Club the Jazz Kitchen.
*Al "The Bishop" Hobbs, Gospel Music Icon/Radio /Love Express
Rodnie Bryant, Gospel Singer/Composer, National Recording Artist
Sherri Garrison, Minister of Music Eastern Star Church, Director Gospel Music Workshop of America, National Recording Artist and Director Indy Mass Choir
Dr. Larry Ridley, Legendary Jazz Bassist, Executive Director, African-American Jazz Caucus, Inc. (AAJC), Professor Emeritus of Jazz, Rutgers University, Manhatten College of Music
Ralph Adams, Founder, Ralph Adams Jazz, Blues, & Cultural Lifetime Achievement Award, Jazz Promoter and Indy Jazz DJ, WICR 88.7
Billy Wooten, Jazz Zylophone, Musician, Band Leader
Everett Greene, Iconic Local Jazz Vocalist
Steven Weakley, Renown Indy Jazz guitarist
Gregg Bacon, Renown Jazz, r&b, blues saxophonist, A local favorite
Al Coleman, Jazz Drummer, Founder, The 3 Souls, & Al's British Lounge Indiana Avenue
David Baker, Professor of Jazz Indiana University, President, Jazz Musicians Org,/ 2011 Jazz Masters Honoree
Brenda Williams, Award Winning Jazz Vocalist and Cabaret Singer
*Mary Moss, Local and Nationally acclaimed Jazz Vocalist
Angela Brown, Renown Dynamic Soprano Opera Singer, Crispus Attucks Alumni, National Spokesperson for the United Negro College Fund
Vivica Fox, Award Winning Hollywood Actress and Television Producer, alumni of Arlington High School
Michael Epps, Comedian, Actor, film producer, writer, singer, activist
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Hometown Musical Icon, Grammy Award Winning Composer/Recording Artist, Producer/Philantropist. Section of Indianapolis highway listed on the Black Cultual Trail named in his honor
ICONIC SPORTS FIGURES OF INDIANAPOLIS
Albert Spurlock, Legendary Asst. Basketball Coach of the 1955 All-Black State Championship Team of Crispus Attucks High School, Indiana University Icon of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Indianapolis Chapter
Oscar Robertson, Professional Basketball Legend NBA/Crispus Attucks
Tony Dungy, 1st. African-American Coach of Indianapolis Colts to Win NFL Superbowl
George McGinnis, Mr. Basketball of Indiana, Professonal NBA Player
Marvin Johnson, Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, Crispus Attucks Alumni
Williy T. Ribbs, 1st African-American to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway Race, 1991
Anita DeFrantz, Esq. Member International Olympic Committee, Captain of American Rowing Team in 1976 Olympics