Our City Our Voice

A local Hoosier has made history as the first African-American man to lead the Public Relations Society of America Hoosier Chapter . Indy native LaMar Holliday’s leadership comes at a crucial time as the industry pushes for more diversity and inclusion . Holliday’s journey to public relations started after a six-year career as a television journalist. He joined the PRSA Hoosier Chapter, which he s...

A powerful performance blending spoken word, dance, and music is set to take center stage this weekend at the Indiana State Museum . “Seeds of Freedom: The Spiritual Roots of the American Civil Rights Movement” aims to educate and inspire audiences while bringing history to life in a creative way. Deborah Asante, founder of the Asante Art Institute , stopped by Daybreak to chat about the performan...

A group of young leaders on Friday made an impact in central Indiana. Fishers High School’s Future Black Leaders student organization hosted its seventh annual Black Leadership Summit in Shelton Auditorium at Butler University. Over 350 students from 16 predominately white central Indiana schools gathered at the private university in Indianapolis. The students had discussions and workshops on lead...

This week marks the launch of Black Week at the Statehouse, an event designed to create open and meaningful conversations between lawmakers and the Black community. The initiative, spearheaded by Chaka Coleman, a respected lobbyist and lawyer, aims to make the legislative process more inclusive. Black Week runs Monday and Tuesday, offering a two-day opportunity for attendees to participate without...

A newly-crowned beauty queen is using her title to bring attention to a cause close to her heart. Miss Black Indiana 2025 has a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 26 children in the U.S. have autism spectrum disorder. Many families struggle to find the resources and support they need....

The creativity and diverse talents of local artists is being showcased at a new Indianapolis Public Library exhibit called “ Meet the Artists .” Opening this week, it offers a unique opportunity for Indy residents to connect with Black artists. Found at the downtown Central Library, the exhibit features a curated selection of works from a variety of local artists, spanning different mediums includ...

One local faith-based leader is at the forefront of community efforts to curb crime and promote safety, particularly in Indianapolis. The mission started in 1999. The Indianapolis TenPoint Coalition is a clergy-led group of community volunteers and law enforcement with a mission to make Indy a safer place, and to have better communication between the police and local neighborhoods, especially Afri...

In a time when support for immigrant communities is more crucial than ever, one Indiana organization is stepping up to provide resources and guidance. Recent executive orders from President Donald Trump and another from Indiana Gov. Mike Braun requiring state police to assist federal authorities when asked has left immigrants scrambling for help. Maria Yuquilima, marketing and communications manag...

A ban on diversity practices in Indiana, combined with President Trump’s dismantling of federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, has sparked major concerns among lawmakers and community advocates. The Indiana Black legislative Caucus says these bans threaten progress for marginalized communities in the Hoosier state and across the country. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priva...

In a conversation centered around the evolving landscape of the media industry, Emil Ekiyor, CEO of InnoPower and a WISH-TV contributor, discussed the importance of programs that focus on preparing diverse talent for career opportunities in the sector. Ekiyor gave insights into the growing need for initiatives like the Multicultural Media Producing Program, a collaboration between InnoPower and WI...

The Baptist Ministers Alliance on Wednesday hosted its annual Emancipation Proclamation Service at Olivet Baptist Church, bringing faith and city leaders together to discuss building a stronger Indianapolis. The event is also touted as a call to action as community leaders say it’s a step toward building a healthier and more united community. One of the event highlights was Marion County Prosecuto...

he Institute of Chicana and Chicano Psychology and Community is preparing to host a public, online training session next month. The session is aimed at providing participants with a foundational understanding of culturally responsive therapy from a Chicano, Chicana, and Chicanx affirmative approach. The event is designed to explore the unique intersection of culture, identity, and mental health, o...

One of Indianapolis’ oldest congregations has teamed up with the Indiana State Museum for its annual community Kwanzaa celebration. Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Witherspoon Presbyterian Church plans to celebrate Kwanzaa’s Day 4, which is called Ujamaa, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Indiana State Museum as an inaugural Kwanzaa community fe...

National Signing Day isn’t just about athletics, it can also provide valuable lessons off the field. WISH-TV contributor Emil Ekiyor joined News 8 to discuss how the community can make a difference. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Inner Beauty Program Inc. and New Breed of Youth Inc. mentoring programs are preparing to host their 2024 Fight For Joy Christmas Extravaganza weekend celebration. The event will kick off Friday with a free “guns down, gloves up” youth boxing showcase with a dinner provided. On Saturday, the annual Inner Beauty and New B.O.Y. holiday awards ceremony will highlight and affirm community leaders and...

s the holiday season approaches, one of Indianapolis’ most pressing challenges continues to be homelessness. There are also issued raised around affordable housing. The city’s struggle with housing instability has only deepened, affecting thousands of people, including families. WISH-TV contributor Emil Ekiyor joined News 8 anchor Dakarai Turner to discuss the scope of this issue and for a closer...

From planting seeds to planning careers, agricultural education is cultivating more than crops: It’s growing tomorrow’s leaders. Indiana FFA , in partnership with National FFA , launched its new initiative Grow With Us, which aims to give Indiana students the opportunity to learn a wide variety of skills and make connections. Agricultural education includes classes that can lead to over 350 career...

George Washington High School is helping students prepare for life after graduation by hosting an assembly with an organization dedicated to empowering the next generation. The event is all about giving students in grades 10-12 the tools and inspiration they need to succeed after graduation. Trendsetter Foundation’s event, called ‘The 3E’s: Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment,’ helps high school st...

The nonprofit Indy Health District is taking action to improve heath outcomes for underserved communities on the near north side of Indianapolis. Indiana University Indianapolis has been named the lead evaluator of the program. Metrics include data on people’s quality of life, social determinants of health, and an increase in life expectancy for the community. According to Indy Health District, da...

While American military veterans are a collective of people called to defend our country, they are also a from various ethnic backgrounds. News 8’s Cody Adams sat down with multicultural contributor Bibi Heredia to highlight the rich history of Latino service members. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

WISH-TV has taken bold steps to bring more diversity to newsrooms across the country, and is continuing this effort by launching its second year of the Multicultural Media Producing Program. The program is more than just a semester-long college course – it’s an investment in the future of journalism. Students learn everything from building a newscast to understanding the fast-paced environment of...

A national nonprofit organization known as Right to Start has launched a new initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship across Indiana. Dubbed the Indiana Starters Coalition, this effort seeks to position entrepreneurship as a civic priority and drive economic growth within the state. The Indiana Starters Coalition celebrated its launch earlier this month with an event held at 16 Tech Innovati...

Indianapolis is at a pivotal moment in its economic development, setting an ambitious goal of creating 41,000 new tech jobs by 2030. The initiative presents a unique opportunity to ensure that the state’s approach to growth is genuinely inclusive, particularly for Black Hoosiers, who have historically been underrepresented in the tech sector. Emil Ekiyor, a contributor for WISH-TV, joined News 8 a...

This month we’re Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the significant cultural and social contributions of Indiana’s Hispanic community. Our guests include Historian Nicole Martinez LaGrand, who discusses her book documenting over a century of Latino history in the state, Puerto Rican artist Margarita Garcia and Mexican-born ice sculptor Jose Hernandez, who have made lasting impacts...

Lizett Itai Cortes Perez dedicates her career to bridging the gap between healthcare providers and patients through precise and empathetic translation. Perez’s journey with IU Health began four months ago when she recognized the vital need for more interpreters in the healthcare system. She is laser-focused on ensuring patients feel heard, understood, and empowered to make informed decisions about...