The Indiana Avenue Newspaper

The Indiana Avenue Newspaper The Indiana Avenue News, embracing the Indiana Avenue cultural district of Indianapolis, White River Parkway & IUPUI.

Eunice Trotter & Leslie Lynnton Fuller aka

From Indiana Historical Bureau: “On November 26, 1878 Marshall W. “Major” Taylor, the first African American world cyc...
05/20/2026

From Indiana Historical Bureau: “On November 26, 1878 Marshall W. “Major” Taylor, the first African American world cycling champion, was born in Indianapolis.

He unofficially broke two world track records while racing in the city and went on to set several official world records in many of cycle racing's sprint distances. 🏁

Taylor won U.S. circuit championships in 1899 and 1900, despite discrimination he encountered as cycling's first African American champion. 🏁

To learn more about Taylor, check out this Indiana state historical marker: https://bit.ly/3nmCyfw

📸 The image below, showing Taylor in 1898, is courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Collections.

Congratulations to the Pastor and Church!Sharing from Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis: “After nearly 50 ...
05/19/2026

Congratulations to the Pastor and Church!
Sharing from Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis: “After nearly 50 days away in Ghana, West Africa, as part of his sabbatical renewal journey, we are grateful to share that our Senior Pastor along with First Lady Dr. Jillian Harrison-Jones have safely arrived back home!

While Pastor’s official return to the pulpit will take place on Pentecost Sunday, we rejoice that he has returned rested, rejuvenated, inspired, and ready for this next season of ministry at Witherspoon Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.

Throughout this sacred time away, Pastor immersed himself in prayer, study, reflection, cultural engagement, and spiritual renewal — experiences that will continue to bless our congregation and community for years to come. Church Family, help us welcome Pastor and First Lady home with love, joy, and continued prayers as we prepare for a powerful Pentecost celebration together. Welcome home, Pastor!”

Congratulations!
04/19/2026

Congratulations!

Sharing from pianist and composer Joshua Allen: “So excited to finally bring this high energy show to Indianapolis and B...
04/18/2026

Sharing from pianist and composer Joshua Allen: “So excited to finally bring this high energy show to Indianapolis and Broadway UMC!”
(Space is limited for this FREE show so register soon!)
Expect an unforgettable performance on May 8, 2026 7PM at Backstage at Broadway.

The Sock Joplin Trio, comprised of pianist, Joshua Thompson, composer/saxophonist, Jared Thompson, and multi-genre vocalist, PsyWrn Simone,
bring their nationally touring show, "A Day in the Life" to the heart of Indianapolis for a captivating performance blending classical music, Be-Bop, Neo-soul and Hip-Hop with musical storytelling.

Renowned for their charisma and musical aptitude, these national touring artists fuse the classical masterworks of Florence Price and Margaret Bonds with modern groves from Quincy Jones, and originals from their expanding catalogues to give audiences a window into "A Day in the Life" of these magnetic artists.

A lot can happen in 24 hours and the Sock Joplin Trio sets it all to music for a night of lighthearted and soul stirring artistry.

It’s free and open to the public for one night only so register at:
https://tinyurl.com/5ya8tdjn

📣📣Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Program has success stories to share!Three historic Black churches in Indiana are now...
04/15/2026

📣📣Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Program has success stories to share!

Three historic Black churches in Indiana are now added to the National Register of Historic Places, the National Park Service’s official list of the United States’ historic places worthy of preservation.

The sites are:⁠
⛪️ Beulah AME Church & Dunbar School in Washington
⛪️ Spruce Street AME Church in Terre Haute
⛪️ St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in Indianapolis

Thanks to grants from Indiana Landmarks’ Black Heritage Preservation Program, the churches were able to hire a consultant to compile and submit the complex nominations.

“These nominations are part of our effort to identify, document and preserve sites important to Black heritage in our state,” said Eunice Trotter, director of the Black Heritage Preservation Program. “When a site is listed in the National Register, it’s a milestone for preserving and sharing the history and heritage of Black communities for future generations.”

Read more:⁠ https://www.indianalandmarks.org/2026/04/three-hoosier-churches-important-to-black-heritage-secure-national-recognition/

📸: Kurt Garner

Sharing from WFYI’s Echoes of Indiana Avenue: “Earlier this year, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation announced its 2026 i...
04/05/2026

Sharing from WFYI’s Echoes of Indiana Avenue: “Earlier this year, the Indianapolis Jazz Foundation announced its 2026 inductees for the Indianapolis Jazz Hall of Fame, including the late, great jazz drummer Jozell Carter.
Known for his bold, powerful sound on the drum kit, Carter was a pioneering force in soul jazz.

For the next two weeks on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, join guest host Rodney Stepp, as we celebrate the music and legacy of Jozell Carter.

This week’s program focuses on his recordings with vibraphonist Johnny Lytle.
In the the late 1960s & early 1970s, he appeared on landmark recordings by Lytle.”

Echoes of Indiana Avenue:
Sunday 7pm EST
Thursday 8pm EST
90.1 WFYI Indianapolis

Listen live worldwide at:
https://www.wfyi.org/listen-now

Listen to the Echoes of Indiana Avenue podcast:
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/959716768/echoes-of-indiana-avenue

From Eunice Trotter: “Explore the legacy of Marcus Garvey and his impact on Indiana at Indiana Landmarks’ Juneteenth eve...
04/04/2026

From Eunice Trotter: “Explore the legacy of Marcus Garvey and his impact on Indiana at Indiana Landmarks’ Juneteenth event, Black Wealth, Black Power: Putting Ourselves in Charge of Ourselves.

In the early twentieth century, Marcus Garvey’s movement, known as Garveyism, promoted Black pride, unification of all people of African descent, and the creation of self-governing Black nations. Garveyism advocates for Black people to build their own businesses, schools, and communities, urging people of African descent to lift themselves up rather than wait for inequitable help from the government. Garvey’s efforts resulted in the creation of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1915 with two divisions operating in Indianapolis from 1919 until the late 1940s, comprised of the most educated and elite Black Hoosiers.

On June 19, the evening begins with a free program from 6-7:30 p.m. EDT featuring speaker Steven Golding, president of the Kingston Division of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, an international organization created by Garvey in 1915.
Free with advance registration.
See: https://www.indianalandmarks.org/event/juneteenth-celebration/

A post-presentation celebration follows from 7:30-9 p.m. EDT with food, drink, dancing, and music featuring Alaina Renae. Paid ticket required.

Tonight on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, celebrate Women’s History Month with an hour of music from the legendary blues wome...
03/22/2026

Tonight on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, celebrate Women’s History Month with an hour of music from the legendary blues women of Naptown!

Blues was one of the most popular forms of entertainment on Indiana Avenue, and some of the earliest recordings in the genre were made by women from the Avenue.

Join WFYI broadcaster Kyle Long and guest host Debbie Nelson as they explore the lasting contributions of these pioneering artists.

Echoes of Indiana Avenue:
Sunday 7pm EST
Thursday 8pm EST
90.1 WFYI Indianapolis

Listen live worldwide at:
https://www.wfyi.org/listen-now

Listen to the Echoes of Indiana Avenue podcast:
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/959716768/echoes-of-indiana-avenue

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