The Madam Walker Legacy Center is gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the summer this weekend. It’s a celebration of legacy, music, and community.

The 2025 Legacy Fest kicks off this Friday with a benefit concert headlined by The Isley Brothers. The weekend is dedicated to honoring the life and mission of Madam C.J. Walker.

Crews are setting the stage for what’s expected to be the biggest Legacy Fest yet. For one weekend each year, Indiana Avenue transforms into a tribute to the legacy of Madam C.J. Walker.

Saturday is the free family-friendly block party from noon to 8 p.m. Families will be able to enjoy live performances by up-and-coming artists, eat from local food trucks, connect with vendors, and play games.

The fourth annual Legacy Fest wraps up Sunday with an afternoon conversation featuring Madam Walker’s great-great granddaughter, author A’Leila Bundles.

The benefit concert with The Isley Brothers is a ticketed event, while the block party and book chat are free and open to the public.

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To honor Black history and celebrate when enslaved Americans first learned of their freedom — more than two months after the Civil War ended — Indiana Landmarks is hosting a Juneteenth celebration.

Black resilience is the theme for Indiana Landmarks’ Juneteenth event. Leaders at Indiana Landmarks say Black resilience refers to the extraordinary ability of African Americans to overcome challenges and adapt to changes in life despite systemic racism and racial trauma.

Indiana Landmarks wants to share stories of Black communities like Lyles Station, Weave Settlement, Lick Creek and more. They were places build by African Americans who were not allowed to assimilate into other spaces.

The keynote speaker at the Juneteenth celebration is Dr. Lasana Kazembe, and award-winning poet and scholar. Speaking about spiritual resilience is the Rev. Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones and Dr. Danielle Henderson, a clinical IU psychologist and frequent News 8 correspondent, will speak on emotional resilience.

Indiana Landmark’s event is sold out, but you can still participate via Zoom on Thursday at 6 p.m.

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An LGBTQ+ event for kids and families in Indianapolis is navigating a change in support as some businesses re-evaluate their diversity, equity and inclusion priorities.

Trinity Haven’s third annual Skate Fever will be back July 17 although some sponsors pulled out, citing internal changes to their companies’ diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Trinity Haven is Indiana’s first residential facility and host-home program helping Indiana’s LGBTQ+ young people between ages 18-24 who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness. The program says LGBTQ+ youths and young adults are 120% more likely than heterosexual and cisgender peers to experience homelessness in the U.S.

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Indy Pride‘s Girl Pride event will take place Thursday, celebrating queer women, trans, and nonbinary individuals with an expected attendance of 800 people.

Girl Pride is a declaration of identity and a celebration of community, featuring a headline performance by The Aces, who are known for their queer anthems.

The event promises a high-energy experience with performances from drag queens, aerialists, DJs, and artists, offering a multidimensional celebration of expression. Accessibility is a key focus, with ASL interpretation and inclusive designs ensuring everyone can participate.

Indy Pride is expecting record attendance this year, with 60,000 people anticipated to participate in events throughout the weekend. If you can’t make it Thursday, there are still plenty of events happening this Saturday, including a parade on Massachusetts Avenue.

Girl Pride starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, but the festivities continue throughout the weekend, offering numerous opportunities for the community to come together and celebrate.

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LGBTQ+ seniors in Indianapolis are at the center of a new effort to ensure they’re not left behind. The Elder Pride Indy Collaborative just released results from a key community survey.

The survey, led by the Damien Center, is part of a larger plan to close gaps for the LGBTQ+ older adults. Now that the responses are in, organizers say it’s time to act.

The needs assessment also revealed concerns such as the lack of LGBTQ+-affirming healthcare, mental health support, fears of discrimination in long-term housing, and difficulties connecting with local resources. Many people said they wanted a dedicated community center.

The organization is considering forming an advocacy network that includes representatives from various local groups to address ongoing needs. They’re also planning to create an information hub to help people stay informed and connected.

Another public survey will likely be conducted next year.

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Asian American Pacific Islander Pride is about creating safe spaces.

It’s also a celebration of culture and identity and visibility, and, for many, a moment to finally feel seen.

Indy Pride aims to uplift Asian American Pacific Islander voices within the LGBTQ+ community, voices that are often overlooked.

The organization on May 16 had its third annual AAPI Pride Celebration at 10 East Arts Hub, filled with comedians, drag queens, and traditional foods and performances. Castillo Jimenez says this year’s celebration had a great turnout with over 60 people celebrating their identity. He is glad that the Asian American Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ community has expanded over the last few years. “Indy Pride started with a not-so-good representation. It was mainly white cisgendered individuals, and, I think, five years to now, we’ve made diversity and inclusion the center of who we are.”

Indy Pride plans to make the 2026 Asian American Pacific Islander Pride celebration even bigger, and hopes the community supports Asian American Pacific Islander LGBTQ+ Hoosiers beyond Pride month in June.

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A federal jury trial has cleared the state of Indiana of racial discrimination charges brought by a state employee who claimed he was not promoted because of his race. The attorney general praised the decision, stating that Indiana hires and promotes based on merit.

The case centered around allegations from a state employee who believed his race was the reason he was not promoted within the Indiana state government.

The verdict supports Indiana’s stance on merit-based hiring, which aligns with Governor Mike Braun’s executive order on skills-based hiring.

Emil Ekiyor, CEO of InnoPower and WISH-TV contributor, discussed the implications of the case, emphasizing the importance of skills-based hiring.

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A new health care facility on the southeast side of Indianapolis says it’s working to break down language barriers and deliver care with compassion.

Inside the Chin Family Clinic, patients can find more than just medical care, they can also finding a place that understands them. The clinic, located on Emerson Avenue north of East Stop 11 Road, offers multilingual staff and follow-up care in patients’ native languages, which is considered to be an important step for a community where many still struggle to communicate in English.

But, the clinic also tackles a silent issue: weight gain after immigration.

Chin says many immigrants adapting to American life face drastic dietary changes, such as eating more fast-food, that can lead to higher risks of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

Other services at the clinic include pediatric and women’s care, urgent care, labs, routine physicals, and IV infusions, which have been highly requested by patients.

Beyond breaking down barriers, the clinic hopes to inspire more culturally specific care across Indiana, including for the growing Chin community. The Chin people are from a group of related tribes that make up one of the major ethnic groups in Myanmar, formerly Burma. Indianapolis is known for having a Chin population of about 30,000.

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