INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — With Summer right around the corner, the Madam Walker Legacy Center will host several family-friendly activities the entire family can enjoy.

Mariah Ivey, programs and outreach manager for the Madam Walker Legacy Center stopped by WISH-TV to chat with Daybreak’s Jeremy Jenkins about all the offerings.

“It’s significant, it’s history. So we’re excited to celebrate this two-day festival,” Ivey said.

Legacy Festival

The Third Annual Legacy Festival is an event aimed at celebrating the legacy of the Madam Walker building and what it meant on Indiana Avenue.

“We’ll have several local artists, bands, musicians, a skate jam, line dancing, pop-up conversations, vendors, you name it,” Ivey said.

Among the list of performers are:

• Psywrn Simone
• Maxie from Naptown
• Muffy Skates
• DJ B.A.E
• Brooke Billions
• Januarie York
• Corey Ewing
• Allison Victoria
• Breon Lanier with Kenn on Keys
• Jus Will
• Mr. Tony Styxx
• 4Cast
• Native Sun

The event will take place Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Summer Institute

The Summer Institute is a series of workshops held at the Madam Walker Legacy Center every Tuesday through Wednesday from July 9 through July 31.

The courses are focused on S.T.E.M (Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics).

“The great part about it is you can literally get the link sign up and tune into a new workshop every day,” Ivey said.

Walk and Talk Tours

For an hour, youth groups will be invited into the historic Madam Walker building. The tours take place Tuesday through Thursday.

“Each of those Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday starting at 11:30 a.m. you will get a full tour of the  Madam Walker building as well as the Indiana Avenue extended tour,” Ivey said.

For more information, click here.

Trusted HVAC service providers Peterman Brothers help homeowners breathe easy as part of Asthma Awareness Month in May

INDIANAPOLIS, May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Peterman Brothers, a leading HVAC and plumbing company serving the Greater Indianapolis area, wants Indianapolis homeowners to breathe easy and enjoy clean, healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) during May’s Asthma Awareness Month.

“We often see an increase in ozone and airborne irritants such as pollen and dander outdoors during the warmer months, and that can have a major impact on quality of life, especially for the 24 million Americans who have asthma,” said Chad Peterman, president of Peterman Brothers. “With summer fast approaching and May being Asthma Awareness Month, we’re encouraging our neighbors to take a few easy steps to mitigate poor IAQ and ensure a comfortable, healthy summer.”

Homeowners can follow these best practices to maintain outstanding IAQ and ensure their family’s health and comfort this summer:

• Keep your home clean: Dust, mop and vacuum regularly to prevent the accumulation of airborne irritants. If you have pets, keep them groomed.
• Manage moisture: Use vents, fans and dehumidifiers to keep the humidity relatively low. Indoor humidity above 50% can lead to moisture collecting in the walls or near pipes, appliances and fixtures. The resulting bacterial buildup could inhibit air quality.  
• Maintain your HVAC: Change the air filters frequently and schedule regular maintenance to keep your home’s heating and cooling system effectively circulating air and preventing irritants from coming in. Consider installing an air purifier for added protection.
• Consult a professional: A trained and experienced HVAC professional can test your home’s air, evaluate your household’s needs and recommend a range of solutions, including HVAC maintenance, air duct cleaning and home humidifiers options.

“It takes consistency and awareness to maintain comfortable and healthy air quality in your home year-round,” Peterman said. “That’s not always easy. But we offer professional solutions that can empower you to take control of IAQ and have peace of mind that your family will enjoy the best possible environment in your home.”

Peterman Brothers offers comprehensive residential IAQ service and is available to help with any electrical, HVAC or plumbing needs. For more information, call (260) 201-3070 or visit https://www.petermanhvac.com/. 

About Peterman Brothers
Founded in 1986, Peterman Brothers provides residential heating, cooling, and plumbing services in the Greater Indianapolis area. A second-generation family business, the company offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee with any new installation of HVAC equipment. All technicians are certified through the North American Technical Excellence (NATE) program and fully bonded and insured. Peterman Brothers offers several financing options with approved credit. To find out more, call (260) 201-3070 or visit https://www.petermanhvac.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
[email protected]

SOURCE Peterman Brothers

In this one-on-one with the Indianapolis Recorder, Joy E. Mason, CEO of Optimist Business Solutions, shares the inspiration for creating the Six Sigma Racial Equity Institute, “an innovative leadership program designed to upskill Black Women and Black Latinas to be complex problem solvers.” Participants in the institute will work toward earning their green belt while being trained by instructors, coaches, mentors and Six Sigma Black Belts and Master Black Belts. 

Recorder: What inspired you to create the Six Sigma Racial Equity Institute (SSREI)? 

Mason: A number of factors divinely came together in 2021. My love of continuous improvement, my enthusiasm for supporting women, my commitment to the Black community, an obsession for equity and my anger over George Floyd’s murder culminated into an urgent desire to step up. I believe God wanted me in this current role to address equity in this way – an institute that empowers and teaches women how to leverage Six Sigma for our communities and our workplaces. 

Recorder: What successes have you observed since the first cohort? 

Mason: Of the previous participants surveyed, 67% stated that they received a pay raise since completing the Green Belt program, and 33% noted that they had received a promotion. 

After completing the program, 33% of participants noted they received a salary increase of more than $10,000, while an additional 44% received a salary increase of $1,000-$9,999 since completing the Green Belt program. 

In a post-program survey of SSREI’s most recent Green Belt cohort, 100% of participants responded they gained new or increased problem-solving skills. 92% of the cohort participants said the program met or exceeded their expectations regarding improved leadership confidence. 

These findings (see below) are important to SSREI’s work and equity in central Indiana. Ensuring pay equity for Black women is a critical imperative in the pursuit of justice and equality. Closing the wage gap is not only a matter of fairness but a key step towards dismantling systemic discrimination.  

Recorder: Who are your community partners? 

Mason: Our Institute would not be a success without the incredible partnership with Indiana University. IU Columbus provides instructional expertise and IU Indy, specifically the Herron School of Art, routinely provides us with the space that we need for meetings, workshops and events.  The values of our institute and Indiana University are clearly aligned toward professional development, equity and community empowerment 

Recorder: What have previous participants said about the program? 

Mason: More than 87% of women surveyed believed they would have a greater impact, influence, and contribution within their organizations and community after completing the Green Belt Program. 

Recorder: What do you hope participants gain from SSREI?  

Mason: By creating the Six Sigma Racial Equity Institute, I hope people see that there are innovative and mutually beneficial ways to advance diversity and equity. Our approach is like a rising tide that lifts all ships creating a triple win. Our participants win by gaining additional leadership skills, employers win from the additional capacity that we provide to address equity gaps and communities win because we equip employers to work and serve more equitably.   

Most of all, I want our Black women to experience professional and personal transformation. The bump in salary from applying their news skills is an added bonus!