Conversations in Indiana’s African American History: “‘No Strings Attached’: Philanthropy, Black Women, and Institution Building in the City of Indianapolis”

Event Details

In 2025, Freetown Village presents monthly conversations with historians, researchers, and educators to discuss topics related to Indiana’s Black heritage.

July’s program features Dr. Joseph Tucker Edmonds, associate professor of religious studies and Africana studies, and associate director of the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture at IU Indianapolis, along with Dr. Kim Williams-Pulfer, an independent scholar and the principal consultant of KWP Research Strategies. Tucker Edmonds and Williams-Pulfer will explore the history of Black women philanthropists in Indianapolis and how they developed a model of “trust-based” philanthropy to build and control key Black cultural institutions in the city of Indianapolis. This overview of Black philanthropic creativity and ingenuity throughout the twentieth century will provide important insights to contemporary cultural institutions as they assess their autonomy and sustainability.

The event, which includes a question-and-answer session, will be presented both in person and online via Zoom. Registration is required for both in-person and online attendance. Click on the RSVP link above to register for both the in-person and online options.

For more information, visit Freetown Village’s website at www.freetown.org, email info@freetownvillage.org or call 317.631.1870.

This program received support from an Indiana Humanities Action Grant.