Frank Alexander (June 21, 1943-Nov. 12, 2019). Frank Alexander grew up in Louisiana before his family moved to Fort Worth, Texas. Becoming a devout Christian at an early age, Alexander re-preached Sunday… Read More »Frank Alexander
Lionel F. Artis (Dec. 3, 1895-Sept. 1, 1971). Born in Paris, Illinois, Artis moved to Indianapolis as a youth. He attended Butler University and in 1933 earned a degree in social science at… Read More »Lionel F. Artis
Robert Bruce Bagby (Sept. 3, 1846-Jan. 24, 1903). Robert Bruce Bagby was born in Virginia to formerly enslaved parents who had purchased their freedom. In 1857, he moved with his mother, father, and… Read More »Robert Bruce Bagby
Robert L. Bailey (June 29, 1885-Mar. 4, 1940). Born in Florence, Alabama, Bailey attended public schools before graduating from Talladega College in 1906. In 1912, he earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from… Read More »Robert L. Bailey
David Nathaniel Baker (Dec. 21, 1931 – Mar. 29, 2016). Born in Indianapolis, David Baker was an extraordinarily accomplished American jazz composer, conductor, musician, and professor who founded the Jazz Studies program at… Read More »David Nathaniel Baker
James Franklin Baskett (Feb. 16, 1904-July 9, 1948). James Franklin Baskett was born in Indianapolis and attended Arsenal Technical High School. Though he aspired to study pharmacology, Baskett lacked the money to continue… Read More »James Franklin Baskett
Cleo W. Blackburn (Sept. 27, 1909-June 6, 1978). Born in Port Gibson, Mississippi, Blackburn came to Indianapolis in 1932 to attend Butler University. After graduating from Butler’s school of religion, he became an… Read More »Cleo W. Blackburn
Walter S. Blackburn (Feb. 21, 1938-Aug. 9, 2000). Walter Scott Blackburn was born on February 21, 1938, to Dr. Cleo W. Blackburn (a minister and civic leader) and Fannie Scott Blackburn. He grew… Read More »Walter S. Blackburn
Francis (Scrapper) Blackwell (Feb. 21, 1903-Oct. 7, 1962). Born in Syracuse, South Carolina, Francis (Scrapper) Blackwell arrived in Indianapolis at age three and was performing guitar professionally by his teens. In 1928, he… Read More »Francis (Scrapper) Blackwell
Webster Brewer (May 11, 1935-Jan. 12, 2022). Born in Clarksville, Tennessee, Webster Brewer moved to Indianapolis with his parents, Margie Brodie Brewer and Marvin Brewer, when he was young. He and his… Read More »Webster Brewer
