Categories
History & Culture , Research & Learn

Local Black History

Explore Indianapolis’s local Black history by browsing through these online portals. Furthermore, delve into digitized newspapers and documents, photo galleries, artifact collections, and other valuable resources. This comprehensive exploration will offer a deeper understanding of the rich heritage and contributions of the Black community in Indianapolis.

Digital Indy Archive

  • Crispus Attucks High School Year Books
    In 1927, Crispus Attucks High School opened its doors as Indianapolis’ first and only all-Black high school. As a result, this establishment represented a groundbreaking milestone in the city’s educational history.
  • Black History, Indianapolis History
    Black history has a deep and enduring presence in Indianapolis, shaping the very fabric of the city. For instance, just six years after its founding, 55 out of the 1,066 total residents were African American (source). Consequently, the vibrant and diverse Black population is an integral part of Indianapolis’s history.
  • Indianapolis Public Library African American History Committee
    Find information here about past AAHC events, lectures, and exhibits. Additionally, view posters, programs, and news items, as well as compilations of African American authors and illustrators. This comprehensive collection offers a rich overview of the AAHC’s contributions and activities.

Encyclopedia of Indianapolis

  • Encyclopedia of Indianapolis: African Americans Collection
    Scroll through numerous articles featuring Black residents, neighborhoods, artists, business people, and more. Additionally, these articles provide a comprehensive look at the diverse contributions of the Black community.
  • Encyclopedia of Indianapolis: African American timeline
    Explore events that formed Indianapolis, from the founding to the present day. Additionally, this exploration will provide insights into how these events have shaped the city’s development and current identity.
  • Encyclopedia of Indianapolis: Indiana Avenue
    Discover the story of Indianapolis’ African American cultural hub. Additionally, explore how this vibrant center has shaped and enriched the city’s cultural landscape.
  • Encyclopedia of Indianapolis Article: Residential Segregation in Indianapolis The housing patterns of Indianapolis, like all American cities, are the result of racially discriminatory real estate practices from the 1920s and governmental policies that began in the 1930s. Consequently, these historical practices have significantly influenced the city’s current housing landscape. Consequently, these historical factors have significantly shaped the city’s current housing landscape. Consequently, these historical factors have shaped the city’s current housing landscape. Even though they changed as a matter of law with the passage of the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, Indianapolis still mirrors the legacy of earlier racially based lending practices and deed restrictions, or covenants, which commonly became known as redlining. Consequently, these historical practices continue to influence the city’s housing landscape. By studying the history of redlining, we can see how the past continues to shape the present. Moreover, this examination reveals the ongoing impact of these historical practices on current housing disparities.

To discover more about fascinating and inspiring Black history makers, visit the Center for Black Literature & Culture at Central Library. Additionally, this Center is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant heritage and remarkable achievements of individuals with African roots. By exploring its exhibits and resources, you will gain deeper insight into their impactful contributions.

Local Black History – Indiana

Indiana Historical Bureau
Being Black in Indiana
It highlights the Ordinance of 1787, Article XIII of the Indiana Constitution of 1851, and the 1816 Constitution. Furthermore, it explores their impact on fleeing enslaved people and Black settlers in the state of Indiana. Furthermore, this examination reveals how these legal frameworks shaped the experiences and challenges faced by these groups.

Indiana Historical Society
Early Black Settlements by County
Explore Early Black Settlements by County, including the town of Bridgeport (Sunnyside or Westview), located in Wayne Township in Marion County. Additionally, this exploration will provide insights into the historical context and development of these communities.

Indiana Historical Society
Mark A. Lee LGBT Photo Collection
Explore the Indiana LGBTQ Collecting Initiative and Digital Image Collection, which features a range of oral history interview excerpts and photographs. Moreover, this collection not only documents LGBTQ experiences but also highlights the contributions of local Indy African American residents. By delving into these resources, you will gain a deeper understanding of both communities’ impact and significance.

Indiana Landmarks
Black Heritage Preservation Program: Combating Erasure of Black History with Eunice Trotter (Slide Presentation)

Indiana Memory Hosted Digital Collections
Urban Displacement and the Making of a University IUPUI (1964-1990)
“You will find correspondence related to property purchases, campus planning documents, assessments of home and business values, abstracts of title, oral histories, and a few items collected by administrators that show community discontent.”

Indiana University’s Portal to Professional Education
Indianapolis African American Heritage
This is a self-paced, FREE online course with no credit offered. Therefore, if you don’t have an IU account, create a free IU Guest account to enroll in the course. Additionally, the course content is offered under a Public Domain, which provides open access to the materials.

Indiana Humanities
Drag Resistance and Worker Solidarity on Indiana Avenue
During the jazz era, Indiana Avenue became the epicenter of Black life in Indianapolis. In addition, it served as a vibrant hub for cultural and social activities. Emerging research into this local history reveals that queer nightlife and culture thrived within Indiana Avenue and the broader Black community. Furthermore, this visibility extended into the jazz clubs and the city sidewalks just outside, highlighting the area’s diverse and dynamic social scene.

IUPUI ScholarWorks
The Female Impersonators of Indiana Avenue: Race, Sexuality, Gender Expression, and the Black Entertainment Industry (1911-1980s)

National Trust for Historic Preservation and Indiana Landmarks
Preserving Black Heritage in Indiana and Beyond with Tiffany Tolbert (Slide Presentation)

WRTV
Black History in Indiana
Stories of Black Hoosiers living and working in Central Indiana offer a rich perspective on their experiences. For example, the clip highlights Lockfield Gardens, showcasing its significance within this narrative.

Local Black History – Indianapolis

African-American Hospitals and Health Care in Early Twentieth Century
Indianapolis, Indiana, 1894-1917 by Norma B. Erickson (2016): Study the Master Thesis on African American nurses, doctors, and images of African American hospitals, such as Ward’s, Lincoln, and Sisters of Charity, in Indianapolis. Furthermore, this research provides an in-depth look into the contributions and challenges faced by these medical professionals in the city.

Hoosier State Chronicles
Digitized African American Newspapers

Indianapolis at the Time of the Great Migration, 1900-1920
Originally published in August 1996 (No. 65) Black History News & Notes, a newsletter of the Indiana Historical Society. It highlights the movement of African Americans from the South to Indianapolis and, furthermore, the different infrastructure, job opportunities, residential segregation, and other inequalities they encountered once they arrived in the city.

Indy Parks
Pride of the Parks Honoring Black Culture Through Indy Parks
List of parks honoring Black Indianapolis residents, contributions, and culture through Indy Parks. View the Pride of the Parks brochure.

Indy Pride
2023 Black History Month LGBTQ+ Community Spotlight
Reflect on the contributions, challenges, and rich history of our Black and African American community members. Furthermore, celebrate the achievements of activists today who continue to lead, create, and envision a better future amidst the ongoing racism in our country.

Invisible Indianapolis
Race, Heritage and Community Memory in the Circle City
Explore a brief history of African American doctors and public health in Indianapolis during the 20th century. Additionally, this overview will shed light on their contributions and challenges faced in the field.

A Neighborhood of Saturdays
It highlights African American and Jewish community history on the Indianapolis Southside. Additionally, it explores the impacts of redlining and the construction of I-70 on these communities.