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Catchings, Smulyan to receive Charles L. Whistler Award

NORAL PARHAM
NORAL PARHAM
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee announced that WNBA champion, Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Tamika Catchings will be honored with the 2024 Charles L. Whistler Award, alongside entrepreneur Jeff Smulyan.

The Whistler Award, established by the Mayor of Indianapolis in 1983, recognizes exceptional civic leadership and the efforts to unite public and private sectors for the advancement of the community.

Catchings is often regarded as one of the greatest basketball players, making a profound impact off the hardwood.

Tamika Catchings, owner of Tea’s Me Cafe, has been working on expanding the cafe’s reach to include bottled teas in local grocery stores since 2019. (Photos provided/Tea’s Me Cafe)

In 2004, she founded the Catch the Stars Foundation, which empowered over 15,000 local youth to achieve their goals. Catchings also runs Tea’s Me Café, a community hub offering events that foster connection among residents. Tea’s Me has also become a staple in the community, offering dozens of handcrafted beverages.

Her civic involvement includes serving on the Indianapolis Airport Authority board and co-chairing events like the upcoming 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend here in Indianapolis.

Mayor Joe Hogsett expressed excitement over this year’s dual recognition, highlighting how both Catchings and Smulyan have significantly contributed to enhancing Indianapolis.

“They have blazed the trail for the success we are experiencing today and will see for decades to come,” Hogsett said in a statement.

Smulyan, founder and chair of Emmis Corporation, transformed the broadcasting landscape while also dedicating himself to community enrichment. Known for his innovative media operations, Smulyan has played a vital role in mentoring future business leaders and contributing to initiatives such as the successful hosting of the 2012 Super Bowl in the Circle City.

The awards ceremony will take place on Dec. 12 at the Ivy Tech Community College Culinary & Conference Center.


Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, click here.

Senior Sports Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Noral Parham III.
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Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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