Unveiling a Forgotten Legacy: Black Displacement in Indianapolis

Starting in the 1960s, Black Hoosiers living on the near-west side of downtown Indianapolis found themselves being strong-armed into moving from the neighborhoods they called home. The residents of Indiana Avenue, Ransom Place, and Lockfield Gardens found themselves removed to make way for the new Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis campus. Zola Lamothe confronted this removal while a student at what is now Indiana University – Indianapolis and Purdue University – Indianapolis.

As a student, Zola photographed former neighborhood residents as they went about their daily tasks in front of campus buildings, bridging the past and present on campus. Join us for a panel discussion about Zola’s project and the legacy of the neighborhoods, where Zola will be joined by Indianapolis historian Sampson Levingston and IHS African American Collections Curator Susan Hall Dotson.

Copies of Zola’s latest publication, Unveiling a Forgotten Legacy, will be available for purchase and signing following the discussion from the Basile History Market.

Check-in will begin at 6 p.m.
This panel is scheduled from 6:30 – 8 p.m, followed by a book signing.
Light refreshments will be provided.

Presented by the Charlitta and Robin Winston Family Fund for African American History