Zola Lamothe grew up in Indianapolis and attended IUPUI. As a student, she discovered the campus had been built on what once was the home to a vibrant Black neighborhood along Indiana Avenue.
In the 1960s, Indiana University began purchasing property in the area to build the campus, forcing out many Black families.
Lamothe now recreates and photographs historic scenes of Black families going about their lives on the campus as they would have in former times. She found families with roots in the area to pose for the photos.
“This is where people started their lives,” Lamothe, 24, said. “This is where people got married. This is where people had their first children. This is where babies took their first steps.”
Read higher education reporter Claire Rafford’s story here.
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Today’s weather from WTHR
Another spectacular day of sunshine, scattered clouds, comfortable air and highs in the 70s. Slightly warmer Saturday and Sunday but still pleasant.
— Sean Ash, WTHR meteorologist
What’s going on around the city
- Today-July 21: Buy books for $1-$3 each at the annual Benton House Book Sale, 312 S. Downey Ave. On Sunday, you can fill a plastic grocery bag with books for $5. Proceeds help maintain and preserve the historic Irvington house.
- Tomorrow, July 20: Old Soul Entertainment hosts ICON: 50 Years of Hip-Hop at 9 p.m. at the Jazz Kitchen, 5377 N. College Ave. DJs will spin classic hits, and live music sets and dance performances will happen all night. $20.
- Sunday, July 21: Native Hoosier and avid birder Wes Homoya hosts a boozy paddle boat trip along the White River to take in all the birds and fauna. The five-hour event starts at 1:30 p.m. at Ash & Elm Cider Co., 1301 E. Washington St. $85.
— Breanna Cooper, arts and culture reporter
Looking for other things to do? Check out Mirror Indy’s events calendar.
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What else we’re reading today
- Chalkbeat Indiana: 2024 ILEARN scores: Indiana students show slight improvement in reading, slight drop in math
- WRTV: Indiana record label puts unique spin on vinyl
- WTHR: Marian University gets $29 million to offer scholarships and upgrade medical school
Reporter’s Notebook: Carley Lanich
Last week, reporter Claire Rafford and I caught up with the Kiwanis Club and Foundation of Indianapolis, where we got some amazing news.
This past spring, we brought you the story about Shortridge High School students opening a new community closet. Since then, the closet has doubled its size!
The student-led effort launched in May after a revival of the school’s Kiwanis-supported Key Club. The club was flooded with donations, and the community closet has since expanded into a second room.
Key Clubbers now have one room to store clothes and another to stock up as a school food pantry. And, with back-to-school season approaching, adviser Chelsea English said the club is seeking donations, especially for high-demand items like deodorant.
The Shortridge club has an Amazon Wishlist of supplies it needs. You can check out the list and send items directly to the closet. What better way to celebrate the end of Amazon Prime Day?
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Reflections
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Chris
P.S. If you liked something about today’s newsletter, or didn’t, let me know at chris.sikich@mirrorindy.org. It helps us serve you better.
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