Our City Our Voice

After more than eight decades, a family from Indiana recently got the chance to say goodbye to a sailor killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

From the outside, the Freeman Army Airfield Museum may not look like much, but the inside is packed to the brim with history. From 1942 to 1948, Freeman Army Airfield trained more than 4,000 pilots for the U.S. Army Air Corps. It’s also the site of one of the most vital events in civil rights history: the Freeman Field Mutiny . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy...

Tucked away in Marion, Ind., are the somber reminders of the sacrifices made for our freedom today. Row after row, in perfect alignment, the gravestones at Marion National Cemetery pay tribute to those who served our country. The sun shines on the names etched into the stones as people come from all over to see the grave markers of those who earned the right to be buried there. And as the sun sets...

If Tom Ecoff could be described as one thing, it’s a family man. Now 100 years old, Tom has amassed quite the family. He has four kids, several grandkids and great-grandkids. It wasn’t until recently they learned that he’s also a true American hero. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Mario Rodriguez is the chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Airport authority. He was appointed by three presidents to serve on the U. S. Transportation Department Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee man. What honor under his leadership the authority has seen record breaking growth and won numerous awards including the J. D. Power award as the best medium sized airport in north...

Kelli Ibanez is a Broker and Partner at Libertad Real Estate Brokerage, a firm that specializes in companies and people that require multilingual representation. She started her career in the real estate business about 20 years ago. Through her gift of a second language, she wanted to bridge the gap between English and Spanish speaking people. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Ca...

The moment Suzana Rodriguez Griffin began boxing in college, her life was never the same.“I just wanted to kind of get an experience of what it was like, had a lot of no’s, don’t try it, it’s problems, etc.,” Rodriguez Griffin said. “Walked into the gym and I fell in love. I fell in love with the requirements that are necessary for the sport.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Ca...

For Jesse Camacho, a Puerto Rican Hoosier, the sky is the limit. He started from nothing to owning a major Indiana company. “I was destined to do something here and I feel like we have.” See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Katya Echazarreta is only 26 years old and has already done what most of us can only ever dream of: fly to space. On June 4, she flew on board Blue Origin’s NS-21 with five other crew members. More than 7,000 people from over 100 countries applied, but to her surprise, she made it. Katya’s seat was sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...

With each and every step, Ensamble Folklórico Indianapolis is making sure Mexican traditions are kept alive in the heart of the community. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

A group of women are crafting new ways to make sure all Latina artists have a voice in Indiana.“There’s so much talent in Indy and Latinas are just as talented as anybody else, and we’re so happy about that,” Mirvia Sol Eckert, cofounder of Indy Latina Artists, said. Mirvia Sol Eckert, from Puerto Rico, and Mary Mindiola, from Venezuela, are making it their mission to empower Latina artists and sh...

Latinos and Hispanic Hoosiers and many others in Indiana will be coming together to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month beginning today through Oct. 15. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The 36th annual Indiana Black and Minority Health Fair is again sharing the Indiana Convention Center with the Indiana Black Expo as well as hundreds in town for the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority convention. Although the COVID-19 pandemic brought out smaller crowds in previous years, organizers are expecting a huge turnout this year. Health is a topic that’s taking center stage. Thousands are expected...

Ukrainians in Indiana are trying to find some joy as war rages on in their homeland. So for the first time multiple organizations came together for the Ukrainian Day Festival at City Market. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Behind the wheel and on the drag strip, one NHRA drag racer is setting records. When he’s not racing, this driver is known for being an advocate for inclusivity. News 8’s Phil Sanchez goes one-on-one with Travis Shumake, the first openly gay NHRA Funny Car driver. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Trinity Haven has been a safe haven since opening its doors last year as a necessary refuge for Indy’s growing LGBTQ youth homeless population. The successes organizers dreamed have become reality. An estimated 40% of the homeless youth identify as LGBTQ, and Trinity Haven representatives say when they make their way to Indianapolis it’s typically in crisis. They say watching the transition many h...

A drag queen and a burlesque and drag artist will be among Latinx artists performing Friday at The Vogue for Indy’s first Latinx LGBTQ+ Pride event. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Stonewall Sports Indianapolis has a colorful roster, and it’s built that way by design. Its focus: providing an athletic outlet to central Indiana’s LGBTQ community and its allies. Stonewall Sports Indianapolis , established in 2020, is a branch of the national nonprofit, Stonewall Sports . It merged with the previously-existing Circle City Pride baseball to create a more robust roster of players....

A milestone is being celebrated this month for the LGBTQ+ community in Indianapolis: The city will have its first Latinx LGBTQ+ pride event at the end of June. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The newly appointed executive director at The Speak Easy downtown coworking space is the first openly gay Black man to hold the position. TJ Wright is with The Speak Easy in Broad Ripple. It’s a membership-based club founded in 2012. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

A $2 million grant will fund support for a trans youth program for the next five years. The Damien Center is partnering with Trans Solutions Research and Resource Center . The program will put its focus on trans youths of color. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The annual Indy Pride festival is returning back in person. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Indiana is gearing up to celebrate the robust Asian population. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

You may not realize it but Indianapolis is surrounded by nature preserves. Most of them are hidden gems not too far from the city. One of those is the Walnut Nature Preserve in Putnam County. Nature Conservationist Dawn Slack takes us on walk through the woods the aw hope encourages you to celebrate Earth Day every day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Yard signs are popping up all over Indianapolis in front of proud carbon neutral homes. But What’s it all about? Daniel Poynter, Co-Founder of Carbon Neutral Indiana, explains. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .