Black History Matters

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — It's been 60 years since civil rights leader Medgar Evers was murdered outside his Mississippi home. His widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, is 90 years old. She says he misses him terribly and is proud of his legacy. Several events have been held in Mississippi this month to commemorate the work of the Evers family. Evers was leader of the Mississippi NAACP from 1954 until his death in 1963. He pushed for voting rights and racial equality. Evers-Williams was national chairperson of the NAACP from 1995 to 1998. She says she remains committed to trying to eliminate racism and prejudice.

On this day in 1863, Harriet Tubman accomplished one of the most remarkable feats in American history. She directed a mass of nearly 800 slaves to liberation, sidestepping Confederate soldiers and risking her own life for the freedom of others.

Civic and community leaders from across Indianapolis gathered at Crown Hill Cemetery to participate in the 25th annual Spirit of Freedom event, which celebrates African American soldiers who fought during the Civil War.

Insezn attended the motorcycle event held in the heart of Tulsa, OK in the historic Greenwood District also known as American’s Black Wall Street (Photo/Insezn)

Hoosiers for Good and Stop the Violence Indianapolis are collaborating on a new campaign, #TeamUpForPeace, to deter youth from gun violence.

The 15th annual Haitian Flag Day Festival, sponsored by the Haitian Association of Indiana, was Saturday, May 13 at MacCallister Amphitheater in Garfield Park.  

The Black Owned Beauty Supply Association (BOBSA), a California-based trade association that consists of only African American or Black-owned beauty supply stores, reports that of the roughly 9,000 beauty supply stores in the country, 3,000 are Black owned.

Vera Kersey was letting her dog out Monday night when she heard gunshots ring out in her neighborhood within Martindale-Brightwood.  She was already planning to wake up early next morning to cast her vote in the Marion County Primary Elections. After hearing the shots, the 64-year-old began to hope that who she voted for would focus on the crime in her area.

Despite some advancement in economic and health sectors, the gap between African American and white students has widened in education, social justice and civic participation since the inception of the index in 2005.

The majority caucus unveiled their state budget proposal (House Bill 1001) with a final decision to give Martin University $5 million.