In the mid-twentieth century, Indianapolis’s Indiana Avenue was a thriving district of Black-owned restaurants, churches, businesses, and jazz clubs that would all but disappear in the coming decades. Indiana Landmarks hosts a panel discussion to explore the community’s untold story of activism to resist the decisions that led to the decline of the area as a Black cultural and business center during the 1970s and ’80s.

Speakers and panelists include Charles Blair, formerly with Lilly Endowment; Ken Morgan, first executive director of Madam Walker Urban Life Center (1981) and former president of Business Opportunities Systems; Jim Morris, vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment and former president of Lilly Endowment; Joe Slash, former deputy mayor of Indianapolis and former president of the Indianapolis Urban League; and Fay Williams, lawyer and civic leader.

A’Lelia Bundles, journalist, historian, and great-great-granddaughter of Madam C.J. Walker, moderates the discussion.

This event was held on February 1, 2024 and presented by Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program https://www.indianalandmarks.org/blac... and Reclaim Indiana Avenue https://www.reclaimindianaavenue.org