This story was originally published by The Indiana CItizen One hundred and three years after his body was found hanging from a sapling along the banks of the White River, George Tompkins is finally getting his story written into the pages of history. Tompkins, a 19-year-old Black man living in Indianapolis with his aunt and […]
Community
Posted inCommunity, Redevelopment
New $30M YMCA Coming to Gary’s Tolleston Neighborhood
Gary officials have unveiled plans for a state-of-the-art, 91,000-square-foot YMCA in the Tolleston neighborhood that they hope will serve as a community hub. The $30 million project, one of the largest recent investments in the city, will provide fitness programs, health care services, and educational resources for the youth. On Friday morning, residents filled the […]
Posted inCommunity, Redevelopment
‘Bye Bye to Blight’: Gary’s Aetna Residents See Hope as Demolitions Continue
Since 2015, Penelope Love and her fellow neighbors of the Aetna Manor Revitalization Program have worked to restore the neighborhood through various cleanup projects. But eliminating blighted structures would take more than they could muster alone. Now, an ongoing city initiative fueled largely by volunteer efforts gives Aetna the boost Love sought. “It’s a good […]
Posted inArts, Community, Education
Gary Native PeQue Empowers Youth Through Art
As temperatures rise in Gary, so too is residents’ desire to push the city in a brighter direction. To that end, one avenue for change is being honed in our youngest citizens: through art. World-renowned artist PeQue, a Gary native whose murals have honored figures like Kobe Bryant and Kamala Harris, returned home — not […]
Posted inCommunity, Economic Development
Love Your Block Grant Empowers Gary to Reimagine Its Future
Daryl Cook and his family have been ingrained in Gary for over 50 years. His memories of a cleaner, more pristine city brought him to a round table on a Thursday night in Indiana University Northwest’s library. “My grandfather used to have a Cadillac. His brothers had Cadillacs. They lined them up on the street. […]
Posted inCommunity, Culture, Education
Gary Students Learn From Harlem’s Finest at Dance Workshop
“And five, six, seven, eight!” Warming up to the tunes of Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You,” and James Brown’s “Super Bad” with stretches and steps, a room full of Gary students gathered in the student of Indiana University Northwest to boogie down with a few of Harlem’s best dancers. The Dance Theatre of Harlem, a […]
Posted inCommunity
This Thanksgiving, Gary’s Urban Gardens are Giving Back With Fresh Food
Photographs by Javonte Anderson/Capital B Across Gary, urban gardens have transformed vacant lots and neglected parks into vibrant spaces for growing fresh, healthy food. This holiday season, these community-driven efforts took on a new significance, as the gardens provided food to residents in need, turning once-forgotten land into a source of nourishment and holiday generosity. […]
Posted inCommunity
Where to Find Free Meals and Turkeys in Gary for Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, several organizations in Gary and the surrounding areas are stepping up to ensure no one goes without a meal. Looking for a savory Thanksgiving meal or a turkey to cook for the holiday? Capital B Gary has you covered. Here’s a list of locations in Gary and nearby areas offering free meals […]
Posted inCommunity, Education, Youth
Gary ‘Canoemobile’ makes a splash at Marquette Park
Alongside a stunning sunset overlooking the water of Marquette Park, Gary residents ranging from 7 to 74 years old gathered on the trail behind Marquette Pavilion. Amid tea, snacks, and shimmering waters, curiosity and excitement surrounded the two light blue canoes tucked atop the Marquette lagoon. But these are no ordinary vessels: they’re 24-foot “Canoemobiles.” […]
Posted inCommunity, Partner Content
Indy’s Lost Black Neighborhood: How IUPUI Displaced Thousands
This article was originally published by Mirror Indy and Open Campus, and is republished through our partnership with Free Press Indiana. Decades ago, Indiana Avenue was the center of Black cultural and economic life in the city. Known as Indianapolis’ Black Wall Street, the bustling corridor was surrounded by a predominantly Black neighborhood and bolstered by […]