“Conversations in Indiana’s African American History” is a monthly gathering of voices—historians, researchers, and educators—who deepen our understanding of the African American experience in Indiana, past and present.
We’re Not Going Anywhere, and We Won’t Be Erased!
About the Event: September’s presentation, featuring Dr. Jakobi Williams, is a community-centered exploration of African American history, political power, and the continuing struggle to ensure that Black voices, institutions, and histories remain central to the story of Indiana and the nation.
Beginning with a simple but powerful proposition—When we vote, we win—Dr. Williams will examine the long struggle for Black voting rights and persistent efforts to limit political participation. The lecture considers voting not simply as an individual civic responsibility, but as one of the most vital forms of collective power available to Black communities.
Central to the discussion is one of the most significant events in modern Black political history: the 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana. Thousands of Black activists, elected officials, intellectuals, and community leaders gathered in Gary to debate a national agenda, proving that Indiana was at the very center of defining the future of Black politics in America.
Dr. Williams will connect this legacy to contemporary struggles over voting rights, education, Black Studies, and the creation of the Black Humanities in the Midwest (BHIM) Africana Studies Research Center.
The lecture highlights how the struggle for the ballot and the struggle to preserve Black history are deeply connected: political power determines who has a voice, while historical knowledge teaches us how that power was won and how it must be protected.
Why Attend? If you love history, resilience, and stories of brilliance that refused to be sidelined, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Your presence helps ensure these vital community stories continue to be celebrated and retold.
In Person: Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at Indiana Landmarks Center and talk begins at 6:00 p.m.
Online: Livestream will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Event is free but registration is required. Click here to reserve your ticket.