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 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
Robert Lee Brokenburr (Nov. 16, 1886-Mar. 24, 1974). Born in Phoebus, Virginia, and encouraged by his parents to get an education, Robert Brokenburr worked his way through Hampton Institute, graduating in 1906. He… Read More »Robert Lee Brokenburr
Amos C. Brown III (Dec.18, 1950-Nov. 6, 2015). A Chicago native, Amos Brown attended Northwestern University and majored in broadcasting. During his time at the school, he worked for the student-run radio station WNUR-FM.… Read More »Amos C. Brown III
Andrew J. Brown Jr. (Nov. 20, 1921-Aug. 2, 1996). Born in Duncan, Mississippi, Andrew J. Brown attended the historically Black Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, where he graduated with a degree in Baptist ministry. Brown… Read More »Andrew J. Brown Jr.
