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In 6th year, Butter fine art fair is bigger than ever

September 3, 2026

More than 90 artists are represented at this weekend’s show, known for its “100% model” of distributing all money from sales to artists with no commission taken by Butter’s organizers.

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Indiana Latino Institute names Andrew Peñalva as CEO and president

August 18, 2026

Jeff Newman, IBJ

Peñalva has been serving as the Indianapolis-based nonprofit’s acting president and CEO since December 2024.

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Researchers, advocates rail against government’s efforts to end workforce data collection

August 11, 2026 | Associated Press

Civil rights groups argued the data has been a crucial tool for uncovering systemic discrimination in the workplace and tracking the progress of women and minorities since the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Community leaders warn of possible consequences to end of diversity contracting program

July 15, 2026 | Cameron Shaw, The Indiana Lawyer

The news came as a shock to members of the Indiana Black Expo, said IBE President and CEO Alice Watson, particularly because the organization is hosting its Summer Celebration this week.

UPDATE: State of Indiana to end minority and women’s business contract program

July 15, 2026 | Cameron Shaw, The Indiana Lawyer

Gov. Mike Braun’s announcement comes after Attorney General Todd Rokita issued an opinion stating that the Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises program is unlawful.

Diversity scholarships decline after legal complaints, federal crackdown

July 7, 2026 | The Washington Post

College scholarships aimed at students of color, women and others are becoming less common, according to findings from the National Scholarship Providers Association.

Lesley Gordon takes on creative work as GangGang’s first executive director

May 28, 2026 |

Dave Lindquist

Former IndyGo and the Indiana State Fair staffer Lesley Gordon is the first executive director of creative advocacy agency GangGang.

2026 Innovation Issue: Braun, Trump sweep DEI out of government

May 1, 2026 |

Lesley Weidenbener

In a letter to Hoosiers, Braun said the state was “replacing the divisive DEI ideology with a level playing field of MEI: Merit, Excellence, and Innovation.”

UPDATE: Martin University puts Indianapolis campus up for sale

February 19, 2026 | Taylor Wooten

A Martin University spokesperson told IBJ that proceeds from the sale of university assets “will be applied toward outstanding obligations, including past debts and employee payroll.”

Nike faces federal probe over allegations of ‘DEI-related’ discrimination against white workers

February 5, 2026

EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas has moved swiftly to target diversity and inclusion policies that she has long criticized as potentially discriminatory.

6 new cabaret shows celebrate iconic Black entertainers

January 29, 2026 |

Dave Lindquist

PsyWrn Simone will perform “Black Thread: Songs that Nina Taught Me” on Saturday and Sunday at the District Theatre.

Fight continues over proposed ban on driver’s license gender changes

November 7, 2025 | Tom Davies, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Advocates for transgender Hoosiers spoke in opposition to an Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles regulation revision to prohibit gender marker changes that have been allowed since 2009.

Rokita files lawsuit against IPS for ‘frustrating’ immigration officials

November 6, 2025 | Cameron Shaw, The Indiana Lawyer

The lawsuit alleges Indianapolis Public Schools maintains policies that violate Indiana’s anti-sanctuary statute.

IPS changes Office of Racial Equity amid national backlash to DEI

October 29, 2025 | Amelia Pak-Harvey, Chalkbeat Indiana

The transition was meant to ensure “that every student has what they need to be successful, regardless of their identity,” the district said in a statement Wednesday.

Ex-Amazon driver sues civil rights agency for dropping her case following executive order

October 22, 2025 | Associated Press

The suit is the latest example of workers scrambling to find recourse as federal agencies abandon their cases in response to Trump’s shake-up of the country’s civil rights enforcement infrastructure.

Legislative caucus condemns early redistricting campaign for ‘diluting Black voting power’

October 21, 2025 | Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Although Indiana leans Republican, caucus members argued that Hoosier Democrats should still be represented in Congress.

Indianapolis startup bank Generations set to launch early next year with two retail locations

October 15, 2025 |

Susan Orr

Generations is set to be Indiana’s first minority depository institution—and one of only 153 operating in the United States and its territories. But the bank will be open to anyone.

Federal court rejects request to stop Indiana’s denial of gender changes on birth certificates

September 29, 2025 | Cameron Shaw, The Indiana Lawyer

The judge said the ACLU is unlikely to prevail on arguments that the state violated transgender Hoosiers’ 14th Amendment rights in refusing to process court-ordered gender marker changes on their birth certificates.

Rokita to deny state contracts to law firms that use DEI practices

September 25, 2025 | Cameron Shaw, The Indiana Lawyer

Starting Oct. 24, the policy will allow the attorney general to block a state agency’s request for outside counsel if the law firm engages in discriminatory practices.

Rokita backs INDOT request to waive federal race/gender hiring considerations for contractors

September 9, 2025 | Maura Johnson, Indiana Lawyer

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in which he argued that the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program is unconstitutional.

Braun administration seeks legal opinion on business diversity programs

September 9, 2025 | Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital Chronicle

The administration is seeking an advisory opinion on the legality of the Governor’s Commission on Supplier Diversity and the continued implementation of the Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises Program.

In its fifth year, Butter art fair eclipses $1.1M in cumulative art sales

September 5, 2025 |

Dave Lindquist

More than 10,000 people attended the fifth edition of the Butter fine art fair over Labor Day weekend, where 104 artworks sold for a total of $192,000.

SEPT. 4-10, 2026

Digital Edition

Lilly fighting black market for its next obesity drug

Daniel Bradley

Burns Harbor port to add new cargo-handling option

Susan Orr

Q&A: ‘Musical mayor’ Rob Dixon revisits Indianapolis jazz history

Dave Lindquist

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