
An economic and cultural renaissance is coming to the Eastside of Indianapolis.
The East 38th Street Renaissance campaign is a partnership between New Direction Church and the National Bank of Indianapolis to foster economic and community development to the East 38th Street corridor. Announced during a press conference alongside city officials and community leaders on Dec. 11, the campaign aims to bring new resources, culture, art and businesses into the community to foster reinvestments, revitalization and renaissance to Indianapolis’ Eastside, according to New Direction Church Pastor Kenneth Sullivan Jr.
“It’s really about us bringing new life here on the east side of Indianapolis,” Sullivan said. “This partnership with New Direction Church and the National Bank of Indianapolis and Nehemiah CDC is reinvestment. It is a reinvestment in helping people to build a better life and a better future.”
Indy Fresh Market, Goodwill of Central Indiana, Cook Medical and the IndyGo Purple Line kickstarted the revitalization of the area by providing fresh produce, health care and transportation to the community, Sullivan said. However, The National Bank of Indianapolis and the Nehemiah CDC are investing financially through sponsoring events and hosting financial wellness courses in addition to the installation of a full-service ATM at New Direction Church.
The Nehemiah CDC is also funding $200,000 down payment assistance for first time homebuyers in the area to help families build a better future.
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Doug Talley, executive VP, chief banking officer and chief lending officer of the National Bank of Indianapolis, told the Recorder he wants to build a bridge of trust between the bank and the community.
“Look back historically, there’s been a lot of distrust between the banking and financial services industry and the underserved communities,” Talley said. “We bridged it between us, and we want to be able to do it for the community.”
The National Bank of Indianapolis has already started sponsoring events at New Direction Church, including the Fall Harvest in October and a turkey giveaway in November — where they gave away more than 1,000 turkeys. Going forward, Talley said he wants the community to feel comfortable coming to the bank with their financial and homeownership questions and “get what they need on an individual basis.”
“We are going to work with people to buy their own homes,” Talley added. “We’re not going to quit. We’re going to put meetings on the calendar every month and see what’s working and what’s not. … and we’re going to learn.”
The National Bank of Indianapolis is also sponsoring New Direction Church’s upcoming Winter Wonderland event where they will be giving away coats, hats, toys and food. The event takes place at Arlington Middle School on Dec. 21.
“We do not want the Purple Line to be here for people to get on and leave,” Sullivan said. “We want the Purple Line to bring people here to get off and stay. We want this to be a destination for people, when they come to Indianapolis and they think about culture, and they think about arts and they think about plays and programs. That’s what we’re bringing in this renaissance.”
For more information about the Winter Wonderland event, visit ndcbetterlife.org. To learn more about the progress of or get involved with the East 38th Street Renaissance campaign, visit nbofi.com/30Years.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.