INDIANAPOLIS — Juneteenth is the federal holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865, the day the last slaves in the United States learned they were free. Community groups around Indianapolis marked the day of liberation with celebration and inspiration.
The Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association organized a Juneteenth cookout at its headquarters, the former Indianapolis Fire Department Station 31 on 42nd Street near the Monon Trail.
"It's a mark of freedom and being able to understand where you're coming from to know where you're going," said Indianapolis Black Firefighters Association president Corey Floyd.
Visitors also received a sneak peek inside of the organization's new museum within Station 31.
Floyd said the cookout hoped to solidify the fire station's role as a place for the whole community to come together.
"This is like my backyard," Floyd said. "One of the original pop machines is still here. I don't get rid of it because firefighters gave me soda out of that. They aired up our bicycle tires when we rolled through the neighborhood. It was so important for me to serve in that same community when I became a firefighter."
While the firefighters' cookout was going on, landscapers with Keep It Beautiful Indianapolis were remodeling Charlie Wiggins Park on the city's northwest side as a Juneteenth service project.
The park, named after the first Black mechanic to repair cars at the Indianapolis 500, is beneath Interstate 65 near 29th Street. Hadiah Amit of the Northwest Landing Neighborhood Association said the community needed all of the help it could get to revitalize it.
"This park, because it had fallen into disrepair, was not safe enough to really enjoy," Amit said.
Landscapers cut down trees, replaced sod, and built new benches for the park.
Amit believes their service on Charlie Wiggins Park exemplified the meaning of Juneteenth.
"It's about freedom," Amit said. "It's bringing hope and strength and love and energy back to Black communities."
-
IMPD: Person killed in shooting on west side of Indianapolis
A person is reported to be in critical condition following a shooting on Indianapolis' west side on Tuesday, police say.
Authorities address Tippecanoe County judge shooting
Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting, but the case remains under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies.
Cold, snow and buried hydrants: IFD urges public to clear paths to hydrants
With several feet of snow piled up along the roads, Stahl says buried hydrants can slow emergency response when seconds matter most.
American Idol contestant from Fishers is heading to Hollywood
If you happened to see the Season 24 premiere of American Idol Monday night, you may have noticed a woman from Fishers competing on the episode.
