Our City Our Voice

As part of our month-long celebration of Black history, WISH-TV presents our Celebrating Black History special! The show celebrates the contributions and important achievements by African Americans in U.S. history, and those striving for a better future.

Special thanks to The Jazz Kitchen for being our host.

THE CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY SPECIAL IS MADE POSSIBLE BY ESKENAZI HEALTH, MCDONALD’S, THE RICHARD M. FAIRBANKS FOUNDATION, AND BOSE McKINNEY & EVANS LLP.

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Martindale-Brightwood, a historically African-American neighborhood on the east side of Indianapolis, has undergone significant changes in recent years. The neighborhood’s history dates to the early 1900s when many Black people left the Jim Crow South for better opportunities and, along with a mixture of white immigrants, settled there. It was a blue-collar neighborhood, with mainly industrial workers, and was one of the few neighborhoods in Indianapolis where Black people could own homes.

Clete Ladd is a long-time resident and college professor. After serving in the military, he returned to the area and began creating his historical archive and collecting records of the beloved neighborhood.

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The legacy of Indiana’s first Freetown founded by Black Civil War veterans, Norwood remains intact as a testament to its founders’ tenacity. Black Civil War veterans and freedmen founded Norwood in the 1860s, carving out a safe haven in the city that neighbored Fountain Square, and the area remained a self-maintaining town into the 1970s. Today, descendants remain and share their history, holding onto its legacy.

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As WISH-TV celebrates Black History Month we talk to Susan Hall-Dotson is the curator of African-American collections with the Indiana Historical Society. They are hosting a special event highlighting Frederick Douglass. She discussed what attendees can expect to see at the event.

Reservations are required. Those interested in attending can find out more information on Indianahistory.org.

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The Flanner House opened its doors 125 years ago this year with the focus of support the needs of a growing Black community.The Great Migration sent thousands of African Americans north in the years after slavery, and many settled in Indianapolis.

The Flanner House started as a tool to moral, social and community, providing education, training and pathways to homeownership. In the 1940s, the nonprofit started building what would be known as Flanner Homes. The first of those homes built near Crispus Attucks High School. With many Black soldiers unable to cash in on the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the GI Bill, of those who did, many found their homes around Indianapolis.

The Flanner Houses were built on more than just wood. It’s a foundation laid with pride, welcoming in a group of people who made a lot of a little.

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A Broadway-bound musical is premiering Friday at the historic Walker Theatre inside the Madam Walker Legacy Center. “Five Points“ the musical concert is a story inspired by the confluence of African American and Irish cultures and the birth of American tap dance. It follows an African American performer named Willie Lane and Irish immigrant John Diamond as they risk everything to achieve the American Dream in New York City during the Civil War.

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Lockefield Gardens is located in the heart of downtown, just across from IUPUI. It now serves as apartments, but at one point it was a vibrant community for African Americans in the city.

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This November, we’re celebrating heroes. These are veterans, active military and their families who serve our country and our communities. In this episode we take a look into the history of Toys for Tots celebrating their 75th year of being holiday heroes for kids in need.

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This November, we’re celebrating heroes. These are veterans, active military and their families who serve our country and our communities. In this episode we'll meet a business that is helping veterans make their dream of owning a business a reality.

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This November, we’re celebrating heroes. These are veterans, active military and their families who serve our country and our communities. In this episode we visit a veteran-owned and operated fencing business using lessons learned during service to make a difference in their community.

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