The Freetown Village Making a Difference Awards dinner will be presented on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Hine Hall Ballroom, IUPUI campus, 875 W. North St. Freetown Village proudly takes time to highlight those who have been making a difference within the Indianapolis community.
For the past 35 years, Freetown Village has educated and impacted the lives of over a million people within the state of Indiana and throughout the Midwest. The organization consistently reaches approximately 20,000 people annually through its programming, including its summer camp, which directly empowers 100 young children and their families each year. Campers are given exposure to leaders and role models who represent and reflect their communities.
This year’s distinguished honorees include: Elizabeth Gore, a community activist and member of the Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) board; Vop Osili, a City-County councilor representing District 11, who made history as the first African-American nominee for Indiana Secretary of State; Dr. Karen Dace, IUPUI’s Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and author of Unlikely Allies in the Academy; and Rodney Reid, the owner of RLR Associates, a brand design firm that specializes in experiential graphics, and cofounder of Nexgeneracers Youth Motorsports.
“At Freetown Village we recognize that every community has citizens who contribute to and help with its development and success. Since 2003, we have shared with our summer camp scholars, profiles of local (along with national) people, who have accomplished great things in the areas of Education, Business, Philanthropy, Community Leadership and Public Service,” explains Ophelia Wellington, executive director of Freetown Village. “Their stories have become a permanent part of our Legacy Series, helping our campers to learn, grow and connect with their community.”
Freetown Village has partnered with Storytelling Arts of Indiana to record the life stories and reflections of this year’s honorees. These recordings are permanently archived with the Indiana Historical Society as a part of the organization’s efforts to help preserve the stories of the people of Indiana.
Tickets for the Making a Difference Awards dinner are $40. For more ticket information and to RSVP, please visit freetownvillage.eventbrite.com. Your support helps to educate youth and adults with the history and culture of African-Americans in Indiana.
