Erik Roberts films a TikTok video, his phone capturing the details of a refurbished home perched on a hill in Gary, as a hip-hop beat pulses in the background. Over the past three years, the real estate agent-turned-influencer has built a following by showcasing the city’s potential, connecting first-time buyers to affordable homes, and reshaping […]
Rayonna Burton-Jernigan
Rayonna Burton-Jernigan is the Business and Economic Development reporter for Capital B Gary.
Posted inBusiness, Community Spotlight, Economy
Shoe Repairman in Gary Restores Community, One Sole at a Time
A quiet, cold air settled over the nearly abandoned shopping center in Gary, broken only by the faint creak of a door and the muted sounds of its lone open shop. Down the hallway, the squeak of worn soles echoed as customers hurried toward Anthony Rayford’s shoe repair shop, where he worked alone. “It’s a […]
Posted inYouth
This Youth Basketball League Is Bringing Hoops and Hope to Gary
The sharp squeak of sneakers echoed through the gym, cutting through the blare of whistles and a buzzing scoreboard at Gary’s Boys and Girls Club. Wesley Danzy hustled up and down the court guiding the young players, their faces alight with wide-eyed determination. It was opening day for the At All Cost Youth Basketball League, […]
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘Sick of the Divide’: What Drove Gary Residents to the Polls
Gary voters turned out amid cloud cover and rain showers on Election Day. While the presidential ticket pits Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald Trump, local contests also hold high stakes. Voters are choosing congressional representatives, deciding on a new governor, and weighing in on three critical statehouse races — each decision shaping […]
Posted inMoney
Popcorn World Thrives in Gary, Fueling Community with 250 Flavors Strong
When LeBarron Burton took over Popcorn World, he wasn’t just building a business — he was building a legacy in Gary. In a city where Black-owned businesses face challenges, Popcorn World has emerged as a beacon of hope. What started as a small shop has flourished under Burton’s leadership into a hometown favorite, drawing national […]
Posted inEconomic Development
Gary Partners with Hard Rock Casino for Lake County Convention Center Bid
The city of Gary is joining forces with Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in an ambitious bid to become the future home of the Lake County Convention Center. This high-profile partnership was approved by Gary’s Board of Works on Sept. 20 and is part of the city’s efforts to revitalize the area and create new […]
Posted inCulture, History
Gary’s Latest Thriller, but This Time It’s a Movie
A Gary story is back in the headlines thanks to a new movie, and it offers a mixture of reviews from longtime residents of the community. The Deliverance, a new Lee Daniels film on Netflix, follows the story of Ebony Jackson (played by Andra Day) as she moves into a new home with her three […]
Posted inMoney, Politics & Policy
U.S. Steel’s Sale Is at Risk. Here’s What’s at Stake for the City It Founded a Century Ago.
With reports that President Joe Biden is preparing to block U.S. Steel’s sale to a Japanese company, a high-stakes battle with significant political and labor implications is unfolding. But as the political theater plays out on a national stage, the stakes are more tangible in Gary, a city originally founded as a company town where […]
Posted inEconomic Development, Inside Capital B Gary
All About Rayonna Burton-Jernigan, Business and Economic Development Reporter
What I do at Capital B My job falls under the fun umbrella subject of business and economic development, giving me the flexibility to cover a wide range of topics within those areas. From the local economic landscape to the city’s revitalization efforts and a look at the decades of financial hardship that have plagued […]