In the Mirror: Indy's Black-owned comic shop

Dear Indy,

Ramone Edmundson knows that comic books can be life-changing.

While running what he believes is Indy’s only Black-owned comic shop, Edmundson often talks to customers who otherwise have felt excluded.

And as a school vice principal, Edmundson also sees the impact of comics on students.

“(Comic books) don’t just expand kids’ vocabularies but also their horizons — how they see the world,” he said.

Read more here.

Know someone who might like this newsletter?
Click here to forward this email to them.

In other news

Principal Frances Rivera speaks June 25 at the Thomas Carr Howe Middle School groundbreaking ceremony in Indianapolis. Credit: Alayna Wilkening/Mirror Indy

When T.C. Howe Middle School opens near Irvington this fall, so too will a new clinic offering free primary care appointments for IPS employees. Principal Frances Rivera said she was thankful that voters approved an IPS referendum that is improving resources for educators, staff and students. “It is the outpouring of support from our community that motivates us to come to school every day and do our absolute best,” Rivera said.

Yesterday the Metropolitan Development Commission approved a tax plan to fund a downtown soccer stadium. That marks the last of the local steps, at least for now. Read the latest.

It can be a pain for westsiders to properly recycle electronics such as old computer parts and broken appliances. If that’s you, check out the free recycling event on Saturday at Krannert Park. Details here.

Today’s weather from WTHR

Enjoy a quieter day with more sunshine and slightly cooler air across central Indiana. Light north winds will help lower the humidity.

— Matt Standridge, WTHR meteorologist

What’s going on around the city

Friday, June 28: The White Rabbit Cabaret, 1113 E. Prospect St., hosts RENDEZVOUS, a night of burlesque and drag. The 21+ show begins at 9 p.m. and includes several performers. Tickets start at $20.

Saturday, June 29: The Florida-based, blues-infused rock band The Rusty Wright Band will perform at The Slippery Noodle Inn, 372 S. Meridian St., at 8 p.m. The quartet has been named a Billboard Top Ten artist and has been featured in Blues Music Magazine. Free, 21+.

Thursday, July 4: Celebrate Independence Day with the Indianapolis Indians as they take on the Louisville Bats starting at 6:35 p.m. Indians players will be wearing specialty Fourth of July jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game. The proceeds will benefit Indianapolis Indians charities. Postgame fireworks will be provided by AES Indiana. Tickets start at $15.

— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter

Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.

Support Journalism
Be part of a local initiative to increase coverage of the
diverse needs of people living in our community.

Donate Today

What else we’re reading today

Axios Indianapolis: Here’s a quick update on IU Health’s $2.3 billion hospital project downtown.

WFYI: No one from the Department of Child Services told state education officials about an IPS teacher who filmed the alleged abuse of a second grader. Instead, the Department of Education learned of the incident through the media.

NPR: The U.S. surgeon general has declared gun violence a public health crisis, urging a “public health approach” to addressing the problem. That includes more investments into interventions and education.

Arts and Culture

Pianist and music sociologist Joshua Thompson (from left), soprano vocalist Angela Brown and saxophonist Jared Thompson form the group Spectrum. Credit: Thomas Muller

New music group SPECTRUM — a trio that can play with a chamber orchestra or a jazz ensemble and cover the Great American Songbook — started with a dream.

Opera soprano Angela Brown went to sleep one night, and by the time she was awake, she knew the name, the type of music they would play and who would be part of the group.

As co-hosts of Melanated Moments in Classical Music, Angela and music sociologist Joshua Thompson told the stories of Black musicians and composers with great humor and chemistry. The podcast lasted three years (or 52 episodes) and can still be listened to online.

Now that the podcast has concluded, Angela and Joshua are being joined by jazz saxophonist Jared Thompson, who is also Joshua’s twin brother, for the new music project. Reporter Breanna Cooper caught up with the dynamic pair.