Indianapolis is familiar with the way of the late Amos Brown III: speaking truth to power, ceaselessly crusading for the community, championing justice and equality.
But a new Amos Brown Way is about to become official.
The 100 block of St. Joseph Street — which spans between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets, in front of Radio One — will be known as Amos Brown Way, in memory of the late “radio warrior.”
Oveda Brown, Amos Brown’s sister, said she first heard mention of the renaming idea at her brother’s funeral, but she was surprised to learn the plan had actually come to fruition.
The City-County Council voted unanimously last May to rename the stretch of road. Councilor Zach Adamson and colleagues Vop Osili and Joe Simpson were sponsors of the measure.
“Amos was such an important figure in our community. It was really heartbreaking to hear of his passing,” said Adamson, to whom Amos Brown sometimes referred as his “blue-eyed brother.” “He was just such an advocate for the community, never giving passes to political people, regardless of what side of the spectrum they were on. He was always such a champion for the people. It just seemed like a natural thing to make this street a memorial for him.”
A dedication ceremony and celebration are planned for April 22, when the sign for Amos Brown Way will be revealed at the Central Library. The event will be at the library from 10 a.m.–noon, then a block party will follow at 1 p.m. at 21 E. St. Joseph Street.
Oveda Brown said the dedication date is especially appropriate, because it’s so close to the anniversary of when Amos began calling Indianapolis home.
“Amos really loved Indianapolis. He adopted it as his home, and I think it’s appropriate that there will be a living memorial … when people go to the station or walk down the street, they’ll remember him.”
Aar-Yana Willis, Amos Brown’s granddaughter, said she is “ecstatic” that her grandfather’s legacy is being honored, and she knows he’d be pleased and just as eager as ever to give back to the city. She hopes he is remembered for years to come.
“I’m very proud of being his granddaughter, and I’m going to try to make sure his legacy is kept up the way he would want it.”
Oveda Brown said her brother would “get a kick out of” the renaming of the street.
“He would really be touched, honored, humbled. Any time he got an accolade in the industry or from the community, he was always very honored and humbled to receive it.”
