3E: Reveal Stories
Indy has many stories. Some, like that of Madam CJ Walker and our state’s commitment to freedom and sacrifice are relatively well known and celebrated. Many more are known to only some locals, while others have been lost to history. Develop a program to identify diverse, unique, or important stories of Indy’s past and present and through programmatic storytelling create experiences or opportunities for expression. Such expressions could be as simple as a historical marker or one-time performance or as complex as an interpretative center with community programming. Research into these stories should focus on capturing stories of older residents before they are lost, and should include both traditional archival research as well as community-derived research.
Value to the Community
The people, places, and events a community celebrates significantly influences the identity of that community. Efforts to discover and share stories from across Indy's neighborhoods will help our collective identity be more reflective of all of Indy's story, helping all people and places feel more included. Telling these stories can be a source of neighborhood and local pride.Value to the Hospitality Industry
Storytelling enhances destination appeal by increasing the menu of authentic, local places that appeal to many visitors today. The broadening of the stories we are able to tell also increases the breadth of visitors who may be attracted to visit Indy.Updates
- April 2025. Ground Breaking on MLK Gateway Project. Indianapolis took a significant step forward with the groundbreaking of the $6.8 million MLK Gateway Project at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The project will transform the park’s southern end with a new plaza, improved walkways, landscaping, and enhancements to the Landmark for Peace memorial, along with upgrades to lighting and security. Construction is slated for completion in 2026.
- February 2024. Black History Month Bake Sale. Circle City Prep Culinary club in partnership with The Patachou Foundation is hosting a bake sale opportunity to celebrate black history month. This bake sale allows students to use their cooking skills, learn about entrepreneurship, and bring together the community.
- November 2023. Historic Indiana Beer Brands. An Indianapolis couple, Brad & Sheila Klopfenstein, picked up the hobby of brewing beer during the pandemic and started to buy expired trademarks of defunct Indiana beer brands, hoping to bring them back. So far, they have worked on Alps Brau with brewery 2Toms in Indy and bought Nickle Plate Beer and Indianapolis Brewing Company Circle City Beer.
