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Volume 130Number 19Two SectionsINDIANAPOLIS RECORDER USPS (262-660)Published weekly by: The George P. Stewart Printing Co., Inc., P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Indianapolis Recorder, P.O. Box 18499, 2901 N. Tacoma Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46218.Subscription price by mail or carrier: $39 per year; $19.50 for 6 mos.,75 cents per copy. National advertising representative: Amalgamated Publishers Inc., 45 W. 45th St., New York, NY 10036. Member: National Newspaper Publishers Association, Central Indiana Publishers Association, Hoosier State Press Association. SUBSCRIBERS BY MAIL: We are not responsible for replacing issues missed due to change of address or late renewals. Please allow two weeks when placing a new subscription or change of address order. Call (317) 924-5143.Follow Us!@indyrecorder2025Friday, May 9, 202575 cents1895 130th ANNIVERSARYIndiana%u2019s Greatest Weekly NewspaperSince 1895Preparing a conscious community today and beyondwww.indianapolisrecorder.com130th ANNIVERSARYBy STAFFWith this recognition, the Recorder continues to lead as one of the nation%u2019s most respected Black-owned newspapers, committed to informing, engaging and empowering readers through every headline and every story.In a powerful testament to its enduring mission, the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper captured 11 awards at the prestigious 2025 Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Best in Indiana Journalism Awards. As the publication celebrates 130 years of service, these honors underscore its unwavering commitment to ethical, timely and community-centered reporting.The Recorder%u2019s talented newsroom was recognized across multiple categories, including editorial writing, sports, race and diversity coverage, and more. Among the honorees were Larry Smith, Camike Jones, Jeana Ouattara, Noral Parham III, Chloe McGowan, Hanna Rauworth, Danny Bridges and LaTasha Boyd Jones, each representing the Recorder%u2019s dedication to truth and storytelling that reflects and uplifts the community.%u201cThese awards are more than accolades. They affirm that our stories, our perspectives and our community%u2019s experiences matter,%u201d said Robert Shegog, president and CEO of Recorder Media Group. %u201cFor 130 years, the Recorder has stood as the voice of Black Indianapolis and beyond. These honors reaffirm that commitment as we forge ahead with purpose and passion.%u201d The awards reflect a variety of impactful work from the newsroom. First-place plaques were awarded for editorial excellence, while second and third-place honors recognized critical coverage of race, diversity, sports and public affairs.With this recognition, the Recorder continues to lead as one of the nation%u2019s most respected Black-owned newspapers, committed to informing, engaging and empowering readers through every headline and every story.First place winsMulti-media and Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III won first place in coverage of race and diversity issues HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Recorder wins 11 SPJ awards and honors 130 years of impactIn recognition of Mother%u2019s Day, these local moms share what they learned from their mothers and some of their own lessons in motherhood. Khaula Murtadha: %u201cThere were not words of wisdom that I valued, per se from my mother, Thomasina Brown, who was deaf. But how to be in life when others may not value your worth; how to be loving of children; to be fully present; to be aware and demonstrate your worth, your gifts from God.%u201d Rupal Thanawala: %u201cI learned one thing from (my mother): You don%u2019t have to be a multimillionaire to be a philanthropist. You share whatever small portion you have. When you share, it multiplies. Good karma multiplies wealth and happiness in the family.%u201d Erien Dickens: %u201cOne of the biggest lessons (my mother) taught me was to be prepared to get up and be resilient. She showed me what it meant to keep going, even when it%u2019s hard. That stuck with me %u2014 get up, stay grounded, and move forward with grace.%u201d Chrystal Westerhaus: %u201cMy role is to instill values, offer support, and pray as (my children) grow into their own identities, which will look different from mine. It is an honor and a sacred responsibility, and I walk it with gratitude, grace and faith.%u201d Damita Jefi erson: %u201cOne thing I%u2019ve learned through my motherhood journey is patience. You must have patience to be able to raise children. There is no handbook. There is no how-to guide, and every child is going to be different so if you exert a level of patience then you will prosper in our parenthood journey.%u201d By STAFF%u201cWe need to come together as a community to really celebrate kids and their success,%u201d said Jasmin Shaheed-Young, president and CEO of Rise Indy, a nonprofit that advocates for improved outcomes in public education.Students from several IPS high schools attended Rise Indy%u2019s first College Signing Day at Douglass Park on May 2. Participating schools nominated students for $2,500 or $5,000 scholarships.%u201cNominees from the schools were deemed as truly deserving, hardworking students who are committed to attending college and would greatly benefit from financial support,%u201d according to a release.Other students in attendance were entered into a raffle for the chance to win $500 or $1,000 scholarships. %u201cIt%u2019s exciting,%u201d said Chayce Washington, a student at Believe Circle City. %u201cIt feels like an accomplishment and a burden has been lifted off my shoulders %u2014 especially because my parents have been pouring a lot of money into me my whole life, but especially senior year of high school.%u201dWashington received a $2,500 scholarship. He plans to study management at IU Bloomington%u2019s school of business in the fall. Mutombo Mutombo, a senior at Indiana Math and Science Academy, said his $2,500 scholarship was a %u201cgreat opportunity.%u201d%u201cI was actually hoping to get something from here because I just have a little part of my tuition that%u2019s not covered yet,%u201d Mutombo said.Next fall, he will major in comTrump%u2019s first 100 days: What you need to knowBy NORAL PARHAMnoralp@indyrecorder.comPresident Donald Trump%u2019s second term in office has been marked by sweeping executive actions, confrontational policy shifts and a restored focus on his signature campaign issues during the critical first 100 days.The administration moved quickly to implement hardline immigration policies, pursue economic deregulation and advance an %u201cAmerica First%u201d foreign policy agenda, drawing strong support and fierce backlash.Immigration enforcement emerged as a defining priority of Trump%u2019s second term. The administration reinstated and expanded several policies from his first term, enforcing stricter asylum rules that fast-track deportations and limit eligibility on citizenship. Another immediate move made by the administration was the implementation of tariffs or taxes on imports. Aside from the volley of executive orders and focus on national security, the administration%u2019s implementation of tariffs is the most notable move within the first 100 days.First 100 days recapIPS seniors win $50,000 in scholarships from RISE IndyGov. Mike Braun. (Photo via/Facebook)President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)From top left, clockwise: Larry Smith, Camike Jones, Chloe McGowan, Hanna Rauworth, Robert Shegog, Mandi Patterson and Noral Parham. (Photo/Indy Recorder)Braun marks 100 days with a focus on his freedom and opportunity agendaBy HANNA RAUWORTHhannar@indyrecorder.comGov. Mike Braun reflected on his first 100 days in office, highlighting accomplishments from his Freedom and Opportunity agenda. Joined by his cabinet and legislative leaders, Braun outlined key achievements across fiscal policy, education, health care and public safety.%u201cIn 100 days, we%u2019ve made tremendous progress on the Freedom & Opportunity agenda: cutting taxes, giving parents more choice in education, drawing a clear line against extreme wokeness and illegal immigration, putting public safety first and making state government more efficient, transparent and accountable to work harder for you,%u201d Braun said.Braun highlighted the following accomplishments by his administration:Fiscal responsibility: The administration passed a balanced biennial budget, maintained Indiana%u2019s AAA credit rating and implemented nearly $1.5 billion in property tax relief for homeowners, farmers and small businesses.Jasmin Shaheed-Young (left) with winners of the $2,500 scholarship. (Photo/Camike Jones)%u00a8See AWARDS, A7%u00a8See BRAUN, A7 %u00a8See TRUMP, A7%u00a8See RISE, A7Recorder fi le photos