Tony Dungy, 1st Black Coach to win the Super Bowl, 2007
Indianapolis Trivia
Situated on the banks of the White River, Indianapolis has the topography of a typical North Central prairie town.
As state capital, government and research institutions abound.
Most racing fans know that the Indianapolis 500 (Formula One) Race is the largest single-day sporting event in the world, but did you also know the Indy also hosts the 4th largest single day sporting event, NHRA (drag racing) US Nationals.
At 396 square miles, the City of Indianapolis miles is one of the largest in the nation.
Indianapolis metro area has 1.53 million total residents while local African Americans number about 210,000.
Indy has a 6% lower cost of living index than the national average.
Indy is located within a day’s drive of half of the nation’s population.
Indy gets down to business at Eli Lilly, Conseco, Bindley Western, Emmis Broadcasting, and Clarian Health headquarters. The clock is also punched by major branches for Ford, GM, FEDEX, Thomson Consumer Electronics, BankOne and Navistar.
Students aspire to higher education at Indiana University, Purdue University at Indianapolis, Butler University and the University of Indianapolis.
Indianapolis receives 18 million visitors annually.
Famous Residents
Distinguished people of color, born or raised here:
William P. Quinn & Augustus Turner – Founders of black presence in Indianapolis and it’s first AME Church
Madame C.J. Walker – First Black millionaire whose empire was built in the hair care industry
Freeman Ransom – Manager and attorney who helped Madame C.J. Walker preserve her fortune
Wes Montgomery – most influential, if not the greatest, Jazz guitarist
Vivica Fox – Movie and TV actress whose star is still rising
Noble Sissle – Along with Eubie Blake, the first African American composers on Broadway
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds – singer, composer and producer R&B music
George P. Stewart & Will Porter – Founders of the Indianapolis Recorder black newspaper
Wilma Rudolph – sprinter who overcame polio to become an Olympic champion in the 1960s
Oscar Robertson – NBA legend who set the standard for all Guards
George McGinnis – All-Star ABA and NBA power forward in the 1970s-80s
Major Taylor – Pro bicycle legend
Alonzo “Pookie” Johnson – Jazz saxophonist during the Chitlin Circuit era
Errol Grandy – Jazz pianist during the Chitlin Circuit
Freddie Hubbard – The baddest Jazz trumpeter and didn’t mind telling you
