Our City Our Voice

Thousands from around the world visited the Indiana Convention Center this week for Rally 2025 . The global cross-sector innovation conference focuses on innovation in the Hoosier state and across the globe. Innopower is co-hosting Rally 2025. WISH-TV Contributor and Innopower CEO Emil Ekiyor stopped by to provide a closer look at Rally 2025 and give some insight into the hope for economic transfo...

Dia de la Familia has launched in Carmel to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s in stark contrast to the cancelled La Fiesta Indianapolis. The in-person festival that’s been held for more than 40 years was cancelled due to security reasons related to immigration policies and potential ICE raids. Claudia Escalante, an organizer for Dia de La Familia, said her community can’t hide in fear. Hundreds...

The Indianapolis Black Theater Company is set to open “The Mountaintop” at the District Theater on Sept. 18. It’s a two-person play, offering an unconventional look at the final day of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. The play , which runs through Sept. 28, features Daniel A. Martin as Dr. King and Dija Renuka as Camae, a character inspired by playwright Katori Hall’s mother. The two actors will...

Indiana has become a global hub for artificial intelligence empowerment with the launch of the Hoosier AI 1000 program, aimed at expanding AI access and training. Emil Ekiyor, CEO of InnoPower, is a contributor to the program. He spoke about it Thursday on News 8. The initiative, developed in collaboration with Indiana Wesleyan University, focuses on providing AI literacy and prompt engineering sk...

Health insurance provider Managed Health Services is using a $1.2 million investment to improve youth mental health resources across 28 Indiana counties.  18 community organizations will benefit from the investment, distributed through MHS Serves ; a partnership with Black Onyx Management and the Indiana Minority Health Coalition .  The organization uses collaborative partnerships to add...

A downtown event Thursday night aimed to give audiences a better understanding of the role Indianapolis had in the musical road that led to rock ‘n’ roll. Noted author and music historian Preston Lauterbach spoke, focusing on the historical significance of Indiana Avenue in the development of American music. Lauterbach is well-known for his extensive research into Black culture and music, as highl...

A month-old Indiana law targeting chronic absenteeism in K-12 schools aims to collect data on student attendance to better understand and address the issue. The law defines chronic absenteeism as missing 18 days of school, which is approximately 10% of the academic year. The initiative seeks to gather detailed data on why students are missing school, whether due to illness, travel, or other reason...

The Madam Walker Legacy Center has elected two Indianapolis natives as board members: singer-songwriter Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds and comedian Mike Epps. The board says the addition of Edmonds and Epps “reflects the Center’s ongoing commitment to expanding national programming and elevating the visibility of the historic venue as a cultural destination.” Board Chair Nicole Wilson shared, “We are...

There have been three IMPD officers attacked and injured on the job in the last week, according to the department, as the city works to get a handle on recent high-profile shootings.  Tuesday, an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was shot three times while trying to arrest the driver of a stolen car.  The shooting ended with two suspects under arrest, both now charged ,...

An initiative aimed at improving the quality of life in the city’s Black communities is entering its final phase. The Indianapolis Urban League and the African American Coalition of Indianapolis hope to bring millions in funding to local nonprofits, with $29 million is available to support programs aimed at improving the lives of Black residents across the city. Applications are due by Aug. 11 . T...

The wait is over! The Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration kicks off Friday! About 88,000 people are expected for the 20-day event, organizers say. The annual celebration of Black excellence in arts, entertainment, culture, an community begins Friday evening with an Ecumenical Service. Other highlights include the IBE Film Festival, a Cultural Pavilion, a multi-day business conference, a health f...

Indiana is quickly becoming a hub for digital innovation, with over 9,000 tech firms calling the state home. These tech companies are tapping into the potential of small and mid-sized businesses, creating a vibrant ecosystem in Central Indiana, said Emil Ekiyor , the CEO of InnoPower, a community development organization in Indianapolis. He is a contributor to WISH-TV. In the last 10 to 15 years,...

Sunday’s Carmel Pride festival is set to break the event’s all-time attendance record. It’s the fifth year for the Pride event. The event is organized by volunteers between 12 and 18 years old in Carmel. In 2021 a group of 15 Carmel high schoolers decided to put on the city’s first Pride festival. In its first year, 2,500 people showed up. The attendance has only grown since then. The festival is...

June 26 marks 10 years since the Supreme Court ruled in the Obergefell V. Hodges case to effectively legalize same-sex marriage across the country. The ruling came almost one year to the day after a separate decision temporarily legalized same-sex marriage at the state level in Indiana. On Wednesday, 11 years ago, a federal judge ruled that Indiana’s then-ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutio...

It’s not just about square footage or school districts. For many LGBTQ+ people who are looking for a place to live in Indiana, it’s about finding safety and support. “I would recommend traveling through different neighborhoods, and identifying areas and businesses that are affirming,” said Austin Lipking, president of the Indianapolis Chapter of the LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance . Lipking said that...

The Madam Walker Legacy Center is gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the summer this weekend. It’s a celebration of legacy, music, and community. The 2025 Legacy Fest kicks off this Friday with a benefit concert headlined by The Isley Brothers . The weekend is dedicated to honoring the life and mission of Madam C.J. Walker. Crews are setting the stage for what’s expected to be th...

To honor Black history and celebrate when enslaved Americans first learned of their freedom — more than two months after the Civil War ended — Indiana Landmarks is hosting a Juneteenth celebration . Black resilience is the theme for Indiana Landmarks’ Juneteenth event. Leaders at Indiana Landmarks say Black resilience refers to the extraordinary ability of African Americans to overcome challenges...

An LGBTQ+ event for kids and families in Indianapolis is navigating a change in support as some businesses re-evaluate their diversity, equity and inclusion priorities. Trinity Haven’s third annual Skate Fever will be back July 17 although some sponsors pulled out, citing internal changes to their companies’ diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. Trinity Haven is Indiana’s first residenti...

Indy Pride ‘s Girl Pride event will take place Thursday, celebrating queer women, trans, and nonbinary individuals with an expected attendance of 800 people. Girl Pride is a declaration of identity and a celebration of community, featuring a headline performance by The Aces, who are known for their queer anthems. The event promises a high-energy experience with performances from drag queens, aeria...

LGBTQ+ seniors in Indianapolis are at the center of a new effort to ensure they’re not left behind. The Elder Pride Indy Collaborative just released results from a key community survey. The survey, led by the Damien Center , is part of a larger plan to close gaps for the LGBTQ+ older adults. Now that the responses are in, organizers say it’s time to act. The needs assessment also revealed concerns...

Asian American Pacific Islander Pride is about creating safe spaces. It’s also a celebration of culture and identity and visibility, and, for many, a moment to finally feel seen. Indy Pride aims to uplift Asian American Pacific Islander voices within the LGBTQ+ community, voices that are often overlooked. The organization on May 16 had its third annual AAPI Pride Celebration at 10 East Arts Hub ,...

A federal jury trial has cleared the state of Indiana of racial discrimination charges brought by a state employee who claimed he was not promoted because of his race. The attorney general praised the decision, stating that Indiana hires and promotes based on merit. The case centered around allegations from a state employee who believed his race was the reason he was not promoted within the Indian...

A new health care facility on the southeast side of Indianapolis says it’s working to break down language barriers and deliver care with compassion. Inside the Chin Family Clinic , patients can find more than just medical care, they can also finding a place that understands them. The clinic, located on Emerson Avenue north of East Stop 11 Road, offers multilingual staff and follow-up care in patie...

An assistant field hockey coach at Indiana University is shaping more than athletes: She’s helping redefine what leadership looks like in sports. Dani Castro , a Pacific Islander and assistant coach at IU, is breaking barriers in her field, and also paving the way for future leaders. Castro has spent years building up IU’s field hockey program, first as a player, and now as an assistant coach. Sin...

The Burmese population in Indianapolis brings with it rich tradition, strong community ties, and flavorful cuisine. Tucked inside the south side of Indianapolis is Chin Brothers Restaurant and Grocery , a small space known for its authentic Burmese and Southeast Asian cuisine. For it’s owner, it’s more than business: It’s a cultural bridge. From mohinga, a traditional fish noodle soup, to tea leaf...