Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Housing Agency reveals 12-month action plan

Published

11 months ago

May 12, 2025

Indianapolis Housing Agency reveals 12-month action plan

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA) released its new 12-month action plan to revitalize its properties on Monday.

The agency is currently under the watch of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Yvonda Bean, the new CEO, was brought in three months ago to help get the agency running in good standing. After 12 weeks, she’s releasing a new plan.

IHA is calling the 12-month action plan “A New Day & Better IHA.”

The plan focuses on 5 areas that desperately need improvement:

Operations
Finances
People
Priorities
Safety and security

Bean wants to restore IHA’s reputation, mend broken relationships and hold itself accountable.
“We don’t want to lose sight of why we’re here, and why we are here is to serve the families,” Bean said.

The plan also includes operations upgrades for IHA, highlighting recently purchased computers and software.

After two years, the IHA phone lines are working again. The agency received 10,000 calls in the first week.

“Operable phone systems that allow people access to us outside of having to physically come to the office was extremely important, and it has been a tremendous relief to our residents,” Bean said.

Other changes include saying open past 5 p.m., developing evacuation plans, a new website, better spending management, a study into compensation, a fee account and more.

Bean wants to train employees, rebrand IHA with new logos and better utilize the housing choice voucher program.

“At least we have a plan, because without a plan, you’re planning to fail,” said Paula Lasley.

Paula Lasley spoke on behalf of several Lugar Tower residents.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re young or you’re old. If you’re in any of these properties, don’t expect us to live in any conditions that you wouldn’t want to live in,” said Lasley.

Maintenance requests have been a concern for years.

“The elevators have been a serious problem because we have people that are on the 15th floor that are in wheelchairs. The firefighters have had to carry people down the stairs, and that is absolutely unreasonable and that’s not fair to them. But we need to get that handled immediately,” said Lasley.

“Truly taking a look at our inventory to determine exactly what the needs are and then devising a strategy to address many of those needs. The elevators have been an issue again when you’re talking about old or aged inventory, aged buildings, you’re going to have those kinds of things happen,” said Bean.

“But, we have been extremely responsive as a matter of fact, we have new elevators being installed at a couple of our properties and so that will occur over the next several months, and we’re really excited about being able to do that through our capital fund program which is specific to public housing,” she added.

The CEO said seven multi-family properties are also for sale. Investors have until June 30 to express interest.

IHA said current residents will not be impacted, but it will allow for better management.

“We’re going to get where we need to be, it’s just going to take a little bit of time to do it,” she said.

The timeline of the 12-month plan is broken up into quarters.

Bean told WRTV how budget cuts could affect funding and future projects.

“One of the challenges we anticipate will certainly have to do with funding. We are definitely in uncertain times and in recent stories you’ve seen where the proposed budget is likely going to cut many of the programs that we administer so that of course is going to impact our ability to be able to serve families or serve the number of families that we serve currently and so we’re we’re talking through and trying to ensure that we don’t have families that are left behind through some of the some of these cuts that we’re anticipating,” said Bean.

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Indianapolis, IN

HBCU All-Star Experience takes over Indianapolis – Indianapolis Recorder

Published

3 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Press Room

HBCU All-Star Experience takes over Indianapolis – Indianapolis Recorder

College Access • Culture • Community Impact • Championship Energy

The 5th Annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience will bring a high-impact lineup of events to Indianapolis, connecting students, families, and the community to HBCU opportunities, while celebrating Black excellence during college basketball’s biggest weekend. Scheduled events are as follows:

TOP MEDIA MOMENT (FRIDAY):

WHAT: Kickoff Press Conference & Official Game Ball Presentation

WHO: Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Keith Graves and members of the Indianapolis community.

WHEN: Friday, April 3 | 2:00 PM

WHERE: Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds

KEY EVENTS FOR COVERAGE:

HBCU Awards Ceremony & Reception

📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center

🗓 Thursday, April 2 | 7:30–9:00 PM

➡ Honors local community leaders and top HBCU student-athletes, coaches & leaders

College Admissions & Scholarship Fair (VISUAL + COMMUNITY IMPACT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum

🗓 Friday, April 3 (9 AM–1 PM, FREE)

🗓 Sunday, April 5 (12–4 PM, ticket required)

➡ Students meet HBCUs, explore scholarships and attend panels

➡ Friday includes Pro Day Viewing + Meet & Greet

Friday Fun Day (Community Outreach) (STRONG VISUALS)

📍 Sankofa School of Success + Windsor Village Park

🗓 Friday, April 3 | 4:00–6:30 PM

➡ Student-athletes mentoring youth + food distribution

Social Justice & Civil Rights Panel

📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center

🗓 Saturday, April 4 | 11:30 AM–2:00 PM

➡ Panelists include Sean Johnson & Dr. Heather Savage

Black Business Vendor Showcase (VISUAL + ECONOMIC IMPACT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum

🗓 Sunday, April 5 | 12:00–5:00 PM

➡ Black-owned businesses + community marketplace

🏀 HBCU ALL-STAR GAME (MAIN EVENT)

📍 Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds
🗓 Sunday, April 5, 2026

Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Doors Open: 12:00 PM EST

Location: 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Parking: $10 per vehicle at the Indiana State Fairgrounds

➡ Featuring top HBCU senior student-athletes from across the country
➡ High-energy, nationally recognized showcase of men’s basketball’s biggest weekend.
➡ Includes fan experiences, vendor activations, and community engagement

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Expands college access for local students

Showcases HBCU excellence nationwide

Drives economic impact + Black entrepreneurship

Combines sports, education, culture, and community

SOUND BITE:

“This is a can’t-miss moment for Indianapolis and for our future leaders. We’re bringing together the full power of HBCU excellence—education, opportunity, culture, and community—under one roof.”

— Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars

🎤 MEDIA CREDENTIALS & ACCESS

MEDIA CREDENTIALS REQUIRED for access to:

HBCU All-Star Game

Courtside coverage of events at Corteva Coliseum

Press conference and select VIP programming

Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the 2026 HBCU Experience. For more information about the HBCU All-Star Game and Experience, visit www.hbcuallstargame.com or follow @HBCUAllStars on Facebook and Instagram.

For more HBCU All-Star coverage, visit Indianapolisrecorder.com.

Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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Indianapolis, IN

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on Indy’s northeast side

Published

15 hours ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on Indy’s northeast side

INDIANAPOLIS — A young man has died following a shooting on the northeast side of Indianapolis on Saturday night.

WATCH FULL STORY BELOW

Neighbors share concerns after young male dies in shooting on northeast side

IMPD said it happened near the 3900 block of Rue Rabelais, which is an apartment complex off Binford Boulevard and 56th Street.

WRTV was in the surrounding neighborhood speaking with residents on Sunday, many of whom told us they were left saddened and worried following the incident.

“It just brings tears to my eyes,” Sheri Harley shared.

Harley has lived on Circle Boulevard, which is one street over from the complex, for more than 20 years.

“We’re a very close-knit neighborhood,” Harley said. “I know everybody that lives here.”

That’s how she learned about what happened just down the road from her home on Saturday night.

“When I saw that there was police activity at the apartment complex, I contacted one of my neighbors, who lives across the fence,” Harley explained. “They didn’t really hear anything, but there were two young gentlemen who walked through their yard [that they got on camera].”

According to police, IMPD North District officers were dispatched to the 3900 block of Rue Rabelais around 7:19 p.m. Saturday on the report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they located a juvenile male near a playground suffering from injuries consistent with a gunshot wound.

The victim was taken to Riley Hospital in critical condition. IMPD confirmed the victim was pronounced deceased in the hospital.

“There is no known danger to the public at this time,” IMPD Night Watch Captain Richard Ray said during a media briefing. “It appears by the basic, limited information that we have at this time that this was a targeted incident.”

It’s the latest incident involving juveniles to concern Indianapolis residents.

“I was raised where you respect one another,” Harley said. “You don’t always have to get along, but now they’re just pulling guns on one another and shooting.”

For neighbors like Harley, they just hope it doesn’t continue.

“Parents, please take care of your kids. Watch them… It’s very disheartening,” she stated.

While we were out on Sunday, IMPD officers were going around asking neighbors to share any information they had about the incident.

“We’re asking any individual that might have been filming, that might have any doorbell cameras or anything like that to come forward and provide as much information as possible,” Ray said.

They have not yet identified any suspects in the case.

The Marion County Coroner’s Office (MCCO) will be assisting and will determine the exact manner and cause of death. The MCCO will release the decedent’s name once a proper next-of-kin notification has been made.

An investigation into this incident is underway. Anyone with information or doorbell footage is asked to reach out to IMPD Detective Christopher Williams at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317.327.3475 or e-mail the detective at Christopher.Williams4@indy.gov. Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.

—
Casey Zanowic is the In Your Community reporter for North Side Indy. She joined WRTV in July of 2025. Casey has a passion for storytelling and is ready to showcase impactful stories that make a difference in her community. Share your story ideas and important issues with Casey by emailing her at casey.zanowic@wrtv.com.

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Indianapolis, IN

HBCU ALL-STAR Game Experience

Published

1 day ago

March 29, 2026

Press Room

Source: Instagram

HBCU ALL-STAR Game Experience

INDIANAPOLIS — At the 5th Annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience, organizers are bringing together student-athletes, civic leaders, and community advocates for a social justice-focused event in downtown Indianapolis.

The Social Justice & Civil Rights Luncheon and Panel Discussion is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Madam Walker Legacy Center on Indiana Avenue.

The event will focus on the intersection of sports, equity, and social change, with organizers aiming to inspire civic engagement and community leadership among attendees. Participants will include HBCU student-athletes, coaches, and local leaders.

Two panel discussions are planned. The first will center on civic engagement, public safety, and police accountability, examining how voting, public policy, and community involvement shape law enforcement practices and justice systems. The second panel will focus on youth, education, and workforce development, highlighting ways to expand opportunities and strengthen career pathways for the next generation.

Organizers say the luncheon is designed to go beyond conversation and encourage action, using the influence of HBCUs to promote leadership and long-term community impact.

In addition to the discussions, Indianapolis teen DJ Reese Rayford will provide live entertainment. She has performed at several prominent venues across the city and is also scheduled to appear during other HBCU All-Star Game weekend events.

The luncheon is free and open to the public, though registration is encouraged. The event is part of a broader series of activities tied to the HBCU All-Star Game, which takes place during college basketball’s championship weekend and highlights talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities while promoting education, economic empowerment, and social impact.
The event will focus on the intersection of sports, equity, and social change, with organizers aiming to inspire civic engagement and community leadership among attendees. Participants will include HBCU student-athletes, coaches, and local leaders.

Organizers say the luncheon is designed to go beyond conversation and encourage action, using the influence of HBCUs to promote leadership and long-term community impact.

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