Growing up on the north side of Indianapolis, I was surrounded by a loving family, a close-knit community and a sense of possibility.
My childhood was beautiful, filled with family traditions and community gatherings that kept me grounded and proud of my roots. But as I grew older and began creating art, I realized I was missing something crucial: a true understanding of Black history, particularly here in my hometown.
As an adult, I embarked on a journey to learn about the cultural fabric that has shaped Black life in Indianapolis for generations.
This journey brought me face-to-face with histories I had not fully encountered — the stories of resilience, creativity and survival of Black communities in the face of systemic challenges. One of the most eye-opening lessons I uncovered was the history of Indiana Avenue, a thriving Black cultural and economic hub that rivaled the jazz scenes of Harlem and Chicago. The energy and innovation of Indiana Avenue were unparalleled, a beacon of Black excellence that lit up the city.
However, I also learned how quickly that history was erased.
The construction of I-65 and I-70 cut through these vibrant communities, displacing families and dismantling the businesses that had thrived for decades. In its wake, Indiana Avenue — a place that had nurtured some of the greatest jazz legends — was replaced by parking lots and overpasses.
This history is not just about the loss of buildings; it is about the loss of culture, identity and community.
As an artist, I felt an urgency to explore these themes in my work.
I wanted to create pieces that acknowledge the beauty and resilience of the Black communities that came before me while challenging viewers to confront the impacts of systemic inequality. My recent project, “65/70 Riff,” is an expression of this exploration, created in collaboration with Brian McCutcheon of Ignition Arts — with thanks to Braydee Euliss, Owner + Director, COMPANION who introduced us and enabled this work to happen.
Through this work, we aim to memorialize Indiana Avenue and the legacy it holds, while looking to a future where Indianapolis recognizes and preserves the rich history of its Black communities.
“65/70 Riff” merges two distinct but connected visual languages: the improvisational rhythms of jazz and the hard edges of highway signage. Jazz, in many ways, was the heart of Indiana Avenue — a sound, a movement and a symbol of Black creativity and resilience. The highway signage, by contrast, represents the structural forces that disrupted that rhythm, marking a divide between what once was and what remains today. By bringing these two elements together, “65/70 Riff” tells a story of loss and remembrance, but also of hope and rejuvenation.
Public art has a unique ability to honor shared histories and encourage reflection. With “65/70 Riff,” I wanted to create a piece that not only acknowledges what was lost but also celebrates the spirit of Black Indianapolis — the innovation, the strength and the unbreakable bonds of community. Art is a powerful medium for bridging past and future, and my hope is that this piece will spark conversations about the importance of preserving our city’s cultural heritage.
The Indianapolis I grew up in is the same city I now hope to impact as an artist. This city raised me, gave me my start, and ultimately taught me the value of history — both the stories I grew up with and the ones I had to seek out myself.
As we unveil “65/70 Riff,” I invite the community to join me in honoring the legacy of Indiana Avenue and in envisioning an Indianapolis where history is not forgotten but cherished, and where art continues to bring us together in shared understanding and respect.
By creating art that reflects our history, I aim to inspire a future where we recognize and celebrate every layer of our city’s past. Indianapolis deserves this depth of remembrance and reflection, and I am proud to contribute to that journey.
