INDIANAPOLIS — On Friday, the Indianapolis Department of Transportation renamed a section of Interstate 465 after the Indiana Black Expo Inc. founder.
There is now a memorial mile to honor long-time Indiana resident, James C. Cummings, Jr.
The Indiana Senate Concurrent Resolution 11 was passed earlier this year and it urged for the memorial mile to honor Cummings in recognition for all he did.
According to INDOT, Cummings was a celebrated civic leader, a sergeant in the Korean War, a journalist for the Indianapolis Recorder, a founder of the National Black Republican Council and a deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Cummings was also named one of Indiana's most influential leaders of the 20th century.
He founded the Indiana Black Expo in 1970. They hosted their first expedition in 1971 and from there it has grown into the largest African American event in the nation with about 300,000 visitors each year.
INDOT said that the mile between the 44.5 and 45.5 mile markers were specifically chosen because it is south of East Washington Rd and north toward I-70, which is near the offices of the Indiana Black Expo, Inc. on North Shortridge Rd.
-
Four decades of dedication
After moving to the Circle City in the late 1970s, Yancy was looking for a team to faithfully cheer for. His search didn’t last long.
Indy mother and son share journey on World Sickle Cell Day
Sickle cell disease is a genetic condition where red blood cells are hard and take the shape of a C or sickle, which makes blood flow difficult.
Local artist captures iconic moment of the Pacers playoff run with painting
Chuck Horsman has created a painting of star player Tyrese Haliburton dramatically performing the classic "choke" gesture during a crucial win against the New York Knicks.
"Driving for team spirit: Pacers-wrapped Volkswagen turns heads in Indy"
Andrew Dobler, an Indiana Pacers fan, has taken his love for the team to new heights—or rather, new colors— by wrapping his Volkswagen in the unmistakable Pacers blue and gold.
