Meredith Sharp (center) and Brittany York (right) celebrate as a Google representative announces the company’s withdrawal of plans to build a data center in Franklin Township, Sept. 22, 2025, during a council meeting at the City-County Building. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Free
Carolene Mays Former State Representative & President of the Indianapolis Recorder
Myrta Pulliam Journalist and Community Leader
Mark Miles Chief Executive Officer, Penske Entertainment Corp.
Ebony Chappel Director of Brand and Community Strategy
Ibby Ahmed Social Media Strategist
Mesgana Waiss Arts & Culture Reporter
Jenna Watson Art Director
Mary Claire Molloy Health Reporter
Jennifer Delgadillo Arts & Culture Editor
Tyler Fenwick Economics Reporter
Emily Hopkins Data Reporter
Amanda Kingsbury Managing Editor of Innovation
Carley Lanich K-12 Education Reporter
Brett Phelps Community Photojournalist
Claire Rafford Higher Education Reporter
Gwen Ragno Web Producer
Enrique Saenz Westside Reporter
Chris Sikich Managing Editor
Sophie Young Service Reporter
Mirror Indy Staff
Peter Blanchard Local Government Reporter
Elizabeth Gabriel Southside Reporter
Statewide Newsroom Staff
Lindsey Erdody Editor in Chief
Ashley Ford Women & Girls Reporter
See our Documenters team at work around the city in 2025
Kelli Jack-Kelly
Key King
Monica Breedlove
Lawrne Owens
About Our Work
We believe in local news in which residents see themselves. To achieve our goals, Free Press Indiana adheres to the following values that model the change and impact we aim to create in our community.
Representative
Accountable
Collaborative
Innovative
Empowering
Sustainable
In December 2023, Free Press Indiana’s first nonprofit newsroom, Mirror Indy, began publishing. Throughout the last two years, the journalism and community engagement from the Mirror Indy team has proven the direct impact that high-quality local news can have on residents. In 2025, we expanded our efforts to include a weekly newsletter, The Lens, designed to provide busy, curious Hoosiers with the top news stories from our partners across the state.
This summer, we plan to launch a statewide newsroom led by accomplished journalist Lindsey Erdody. The work represented in this report is reflective of the ways our team lives out our mission, vision and values on a daily basis.
Representative
We value and celebrate inclusivity and the diversity of voices and perspectives within Indiana’s communities and we approach our work objectively.
Mirror Indy’s Jennifer Delgadillo and Mary Claire Molloy wrote a story about some of the many unseen families around Indianapolis.
‘This is your children’s country’: Mexican immigrants at a crossroads
Read the Story
They built families and a community here, but now some are too scared to leave their homes.
They spoke to a family of Mexican immigrants who have lived in the country without legal authorization for decades. But despite that impediment, they planted roots in Indianapolis and raised their kids — five first-generation Americans — to work hard to pursue the American dream.
They also spoke to a woman who had to make her way into the U.S. in the dead of night at age 6. Her family crossed into the country from the Mexican state of Sonora in the late 1990s and have lived here ever since.
In both cases, families just wanted to give their loved ones the best chance at success in life.
It’s a familiar story for people like me. I’m also the firstgeneration American son of Mexican immigrants. I see that in most cases, we all want to be free from want and fear. We all want the freedom to pursue the best in life.
But others don’t see those similarities. It could be because they’ve never met anyone different from themselves.
That’s why these stories are important. They help introduce Indianapolis residents to each other and let them know that ours is a shared experience.
Vendor booths line the wall of Saraga grocery store on Mexican Mother’s Day, May 10, 2025.
Credit: Ted Somerville for Mirror Indy
Credit: Stuart Snoddy for Mirror Indy
We all drive the same roads. We all curse the same potholes. We all know what it’s like to live in our beloved Indianapolis, for better or worse.
It makes me very happy to see people like me in the local press. Latinos have been a part of Indianapolis history since the late 1800s. We’re immigrants, just like the eastern Europeans of Haughville, the Irish of Fountain Square, the Germans of the south side and many others.
According to the U.S. Census, Latinos make up about 14% of Indianapolis’ population. But still they are not often covered in traditional media. We’re not talking about an insignificant portion of city residents.
When I go out into the streets to report, I approach people who I see may be affected by the topic I’m covering. Unlike many other media outlets, Mirror Indy doesn’t shy away from asking anyone questions, especially Latinos.
I usually start asking questions in English. If that doesn’t work, I ask if they speak Spanish. Almost every time I ask them a question about a topic, I usually have to tell them the whole background of a story because they do not get the information they need in their own language.
For example, the multi-billion dollar company Elanco Animal Health opened its global headquarters in a portion of West Indianapolis known as The Valley.
Many Latinos live across the street from Elanco. They saw the building being constructed for years, but they had no idea what the new building was going to be despite living feet away from the construction area.
No one had bothered to tell their new neighbors what they were doing. No media outlets were covering the story in Spanish. The Spanish-speaking residents learned what was happening from a Spanish-speaking reporter in the field.
That’s why Mirror Indy is important.
Enrique Saenz
Westside Reporter, Mirror Indy
Chat N Chews give our audience a chance to meet the Mirror Indy team and share their news concerns in a trusted environment. In 2025, we hosted themed events at public libraries, churches and community centers to share Mirror Indy reporting and learn what almost 250 neighbors want from local news.
In July, we gave artists a safe space to share their wins, frustrations and dreams for the future. In June and October, we invited township trustees to talk about their roles and the intricacies of township government. We were joined by Decatur Trustee Jason Holliday, Pike Trustee Annette Johnson, Center Trustee LaDonna Freeman and Wayne Trustee Jeb Bardon.
During the height of our redistricting coverage, we hosted a panel to break down what neighbors needed to know. Nathan Gostch, Laura Merrifield Wilson and Julia Vaughn shared facts and perspectives on Indiana redistricting efforts and answered audience questions.
Ariana Beedie
Community Journalism Director, Mirror Indy
Sharlene Birdsong
Indy Documenters Assignment Editor, Mirror Indy
People attend a Chat N Chew with Pike and Wayne Township trustees.
For the 168th convening of the Indiana State Fair, we teamed up with students from The Statehouse File - an Indiana news site powered by Franklin College journalism students..
Though in the past, the students’ stories were posted on the program’s website, many readers in other parts of the state didn’t know the content existed. So the Free Press Indiana staff worked with the Statehouse File team and smaller local news outlets around the state to gather a wish list of stories they’d like covered. Requests for stories like amplified Band Day coverage — a perennially favorite event — came from outlets around the state. The partnership resulted in stories and photos appearing in roughly a dozen publications serving an estimated 15,000 readers. These kinds of partnerships provide productive collaborations between the emerging journalists building their skillsets and the local news outlets that often have neither the time nor resources to cover fair stories. Filling these gaps engages local consumers with content that ultimately enhances their community life.
Lisa Renze Director of Strategic Partnerships, Free Press Indiana
(Above) Helene Achgill shows a rabbit to spectators Aug. 8, 2025, during the rabbit show at the Indiana State Fair. (Below) Vegetable entries on display at the fair. Credit: Alayna Wilkening for Mirror Indy
Learn more about Band Day
When people think about higher education, the image that often comes to mind is of an 18-year-old on their first day of college, tearfully saying goodbye to their parents.
But there’s so much more to it than that! At Mirror Indy, higher ed reporting is about covering lifelong learners. That means that whether you’re getting a welding certification or learning English as a second language, you’re a student — just as much as a college freshman.
Hearing from these students is central to our mission. Over this past year, that meant talking with women earning their degrees through Marian University while incarcerated and spending time with a class of aspiring union apprentices hoping for a well-paying job in the construction industry.
Telling these stories spotlights students who are working toward making their lives better. But I hope it also inspires readers to learn about all the educational opportunities out there — and maybe take a chance on themselves.
(From left) Deyhonte Haynes, Keshaun Honeysucker, Dajon Cooper and Tylan Hubbard work together during a work experience program with Home Repairs for Good on Aug. 21, 2025, in Indianapolis. Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Claire Rafford during an interview.
Read Claire’s Story
Accountable
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity and ethical journalism, and we expect the same from government bodies.
Mirror Indy journalists are driven by a deep desire to hold powerful people and institutions accountable. This important work can’t be done without community trust.
Last year, when President Donald Trump called on Indiana to redraw its congressional districts to benefit Republicans, we sought to make our coverage informative, empowering and full of Indianapolis voices.
We launched an interactive mapping tool that displayed the newly proposed district boundaries, allowing readers to see
how their neighborhoods would be divided. This tool helped residents see how their representation would change and how their voices might be diluted.
Our content was shared on all of our social media platforms to ensure we reached non-traditional news consumers. Through short video explainers, graphics and on-the-ground interviews at the Statehouse, we ensured our redistricting knowledge wasn’t limited to our most engaged audiences.
Our Chat N Chew live journalism event brought together a panel of nonpartisan experts to explain the redistricting process, giving residents the opportunity to learn about the potential impacts of redistricting. Indy Documenters shared valuable information and resources for residents who may not have the time or ability to attend public meetings or follow the day-to-day coverage.
Rather than repeating talking points, we cut through the noise and broke down the issue in terms the everyday person can understand. Many of the people we spoke with told us that our coverage was “unmatched” and that we were “their trusted go-to news source.” Some residents referenced Mirror Indy reporting and education tools directly in their messages to lawmakers.
Redistricting isn’t the only politically charged issue that’s captured our attention.
Attendees listen to panelists during a Chat N Chew on congressional redistricting at 16 Tech.
Members of Protect Franklin Township protest before a City-County Council meeting Sept. 8, 2025. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
We also did extensive reporting on efforts by tech companies to build data centers in Indianapolis. We spoke with neighborhood groups and grassroots organizations, that were concerned about the potential environmental impacts and the tax breaks being offered to corporations.
Our Chat N Chew event on data centers provided community members with a space to ask questions about the ways data centers would impact them.
As a team, we produced articles, newsletters and social media videos that broke down complicated information about data centers in a way that was accessible and digestible. Journalists contacted all 25 city-county councilors to ensure residents knew how their representative planned to vote on the issue, and whether their vote reflected the needs of the community.
Some residents said Mirror Indy’s coverage contributed to Google’s decision to withdraw its proposal for a massive data center in Franklin Township before councilors had a chance to vote on it.
We never stopped asking questions. Our reporting shed light on the powerful forces driving the data center rush — and the community voices that were often left out of the conversation. That reporting laid the groundwork for ongoing coverage of data centers and their impact as companies continue to propose them across the county.
Peter Blanchard
Local Government Reporter, Mirror Indy
Elizabeth Gabriel
Southside Reporter, Mirror Indy
Local government reporter Peter Blanchard shares his top five takeaways from redistricting debate.
(published December 6, 2025)
Indy has more schools and more choices than anywhere else in the state. Some policymakers say that’s a good thing, putting families in the driver’s seat of their students’ education.
Yet, as officials once again consider sweeping changes for IPS, what’s stood out to me is the families who say they’re having trouble feeling heard.
From the Statehouse to the school board, parents showed up this year to advocate for their children’s schools. That’s why — through an active, political year in education — our team chose to center those voices in our coverage.
Yes, we asked officials tough questions, but we didn’t stop there. We interviewed parents as they got organized and students as they wrote letters to lawmakers.
We wrote about community events before they happened and provided families the toolkits they needed to engage on a deeper level. We’ll keep all of this up as the debate continues.
Carley Lanich (left) and Claire Rafford during a Back-to-School Story Slam at 16 Tech.
Peter’s Top Five Redistricting Takeaways
In most traditional media, neighborhoods seem to only exist when a major event happens. But Mirror Indy knows that life also exists between those events.
As neighborhood reporters, we work to tell the stories important to the people living in those communities.
Whether we’re writing about a new food pantry opening, where residents gain access to quality nutrition, places pet owners can get assistance for their fur babies or looking into township finances, paying attention to the daily lives of Indy residents is of utmost importance to our newsroom.
When westsider George Krier’s business was affected by the delayed opening of the West Washington Street Bridge over Little Eagle Creek, Mirror Indy helped him keep track of the bridge construction.
“If they can make it easy for people to do business and neighbors to get out and not mess up the flow of traffic too much — that’d be a great thing,” he said at the time.
Mirror Indy’s neighborhood reporters work to ensure all residents feel represented in coverage, no matter where they live.
Darian Benson (left) interviews residents during a protest against a proposed data center at a vacant lot in Martindale Brightwood.
Enrique Saenz conducts a video interview.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, Mirror Indy reporter Mary Claire Molloy and art director Jenna Watson investigated troubling reports about Options Behavioral Health. They uncovered widespread reports of abuse at the Indianapolis-area psychiatric hospital, where patients said they were held against their will for insurance money.
The series, “Out of Options,” was awarded Story of the Year and the first A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism by the Indiana professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The investigation also took home a national award from the Association of Healthcare Journalists.
The articles sounded the alarm for therapists and families across the state, who stopped sending their clients and loved ones to Options. Ultimately, the facility shut down. In a public earnings call, CEO of Acadia, owner of Options, cited investigative reporting, telling investors “problematic” local news coverage drove down patient referrals and profits at Options.
This result meant the most to former patients and their families. After the news broke, one mother, Angel Canales, texted reporters: “Thank you for wanting to hear us and make it known that this is happening.”
Read Out of Options
Mary Claire Molloy Health Reporter, Mirror Indy
Mary Claire Molloy and Jenna Watson receive the Story of the Year award from the Indiana professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists in April 2025.
Angel Canales (left) leans her head on the shoulder of her 13-year-old daughter, Wyllow, on May 3, 2025, at their home in Goshen, Ind. The family spoke about its experience with Options Behavioral Health Hospital. Credit: Jenna Watson/Mirror Indy
Collaborative
We actively seek partnerships with media outlets, philanthropic organizations and community leaders to collectively enhance the impact of local news in Indiana.
In the summer of 2024, five journalists across two news rooms raced to report one of the biggest local news stories of the year: Three women accused Thomas Cook, Mayor Joe Hogsett’s former chief of staff, of sexual harassment and, in one case, sexual assault.
IndyStar’s story dropped in July; ours followed just a few weeks later. In the wake of the investigation, Cook lost his job with a big downtown law firm, while citycounty councilors called for Hogsett’s resignation and announced an investigation into the mayor’s handling of the investigation.
Internally, we were left with questions about the mayor’s role in the scandal. We were also left with a lesson: When two of the city’s largest news organizations put their weight behind a story, it cannot be ignored.
So rather than compete, we decided to join forces and partner on what would become the “Mr. Clean” series, named after the award Hogsett received from a good government group while he was a U.S. attorney.
Together, we set out to examine whether Hogsett’s tenure lived up to the ethical pledges he made on the campaign trail a decade ago. Our first installment, published in October, found his administration ignored conflicts of
interest involving Cook’s relationship with the city’s top economic development official.
We found that Hogsett ignored the advice of his own human resources director after discovering Cook had a consensual sexual relationship with an employee in the city’s Department of Metropolitan Development. Instead of firing Cook, he allowed him to quietly resign two months later.
Then he promoted Cook’s partner.
Within months of leaving the city, Cook landed a job at Hogsett’s former law firm, where he quickly signed up a roster of clients that included some of the city’s biggest developers. Soon, he was sitting across the table from his romantic partner, negotiating economic development deals.
In all, Cook’s partner awarded or recommended more than $80 million in city incentives to Cook’s clients.
Landing the story was not easy, and it relied on the depth and diversity of skills each newsroom was able to provide. Tony Cook’s years of experience as an investigative reporter and writer at IndyStar shaped the reporting. Mirror’s local government reporter, Peter Blanchard, leveraged his city sources. I used my data skills to painstakingly digitize 10 years of Hogsett’s campaign finance records.
Emily Hopkins records a video in Mirror Indy’s studio.
But the collaboration went beyond the bylines. From visuals to editing to production to social, this story was far more than the sum of its parts.
The story had an immediate impact. The county prosecutor has convened a grand jury to investigate whether any of the dealings violated state law. And the finding raised significant concerns from city council members, who had no idea about the romantic relationship when voting to approve incentives for Cook’s clients.
Readers responded, too. They lamented what they called a pay-to-play system, and raised questions as to whether the city was spending money in the public’s best interest.
Our work has not ended. We published our second installment of Mr. Clean in January, and have at least one more story planned in 2026.
Emily Hopkins Data Reporter, Mirror Indy
In 2024, Chef Oya Woodruff closed her walkup seafood joint, The Trap, and became a culinary teacher at Pike High School. On Facebook, she muses about her days in the classroom and her funny or tender interactions with the kids. For her followers, it’s required reading.
She has all the ingredients to be an excellent food writer and personality. So we met with Oya — and the idea for the “Potluck Party” video show was born.
In December, she hosted the first episode, “Sweet Potato Showdown.” Three foodie friends – Januarie York, Don Watts and CeCe Lawson — cooked a dish, joined Oya for a delicious debate, and shared their recipes.
York, a poet, was nervous before she came. “In this last year, I’ve felt anything but myself,” she wrote later on Facebook. “Oya brought me right into the space with love and respect and assured me we were all in one yacht, set to sail.
“Could have just been a potluck, but it was church for the quiet one.”
We knew thoughtful food coverage could nourish the community, we just didn’t know how much.
Amanda Kingsbury Managing Editor of Innovation, Mirror Indy
Excuse me? You want me to be a ham on camera, eat food and run my mouth about it with selfassured people I admire and who I know can cook? That’s a no-brainer. Put it on the calendar!
Chef
Oya Woodruff, host, “Potluck Party”
(Above) The cast of Potluck Party laugh during the episode’s recording. (Below) Dishes prepared by the cast.
This year, Mirror Indy strengthened its commitment to using art as a journalistic tool. Since 2023, the team has collaborated with and provided direct financial support to 168 central Indiana-based creatives. These included photographers and videographers, visual artists, poets, musicians, cultural historians, a chef, a puppeteer, and a young-actor-turnedkid-correspondent.
Many of the creatives are community members who had little to no experience working with a newsroom. They helped Mirror Indy capture nuance in community stories in ways traditional reporting alone cannot.
I have often collaborated with Jannell Summers and Machaila Gray to bring my monthly event roundups and feature stories to life. Their work ensures Mirror Indy’s arts & culture coverage reflects the creativity within our community.
Jenna Watson, Mirror Indy’s art director, put together an end-of-year digital art roundup highlighting the impact local visual artists have had on our stories. It is a perfect encapsulation of the boldness, color and whimsy our city’s artists have to offer. Scan the QR code to see for yourself.
Mesgana Waiss Arts & Culture Reporter, Mirror Indy
Naiya Ashby (left) and Aurora Roper (right) during BLACK: A Festival of Joy, on Sept. 14, 2025, at Riverside Regional Park. Credit: Arrianna Gupton for Mirror Indy
ESPN Nea (left) performs during Chreece hip-hop festival Aug. 23, 2025. Credit: Mia Moore for Mirror Indy
Mirror Indy’s Best Artwork of 2025
In 2025, Brett Phelps became Mirror Indy’s first full-time community photojournalist. The position is funded in part by Catchlight Local and Report for America, two nonprofits helping to strengthen visual storytelling in newsrooms across the country.
Brett moved to Indy last summer, but he’s no stranger to the 317, he fell in love with the city after interning at IndyStar in summer 2024.
You’ll see Brett’s photos often, as he partners regularly with every reporter in our newsroom. His awardwinning work evokes emotion and understanding in a way words alone cannot.
See our favorite photos from 2025, captured by Brett and other talented photojournalists in our network of freelancers.
Jenna Watson Art Director, Mirror Indy
(Above) Brett Phelps during a membership meetup at Sun King Brewery. (Below) Phelps takes pictures in Mirror Indy’s studio.
Best Photos of 2025
Alexi Gutierrez, 14, organizes shelves at Red Dog Books on Sept. 3, 2025.
Photos by Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/Catchlight Local/Report for America
Case Hayes, 11, prepares to ride his horse named Hot Sauce in the opening act of the 70th
Annual Clermont Rodeo on Sept. 20, 2025, at Clermont Lions Club Park.
People protesting congressional redistricting chant outside the Senate Chamber while HB 1032 is read on Dec. 8, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse.
Kamari Carr dunks the ball on July 18, 2025, during WNBA All-Star weekend in downtown Indianapolis.
Credit: Jeneca Zody for Mirror Indy
Credit: Machaila Gray for Mirror Indy
Credit: Julie Xiao for Mirror Indy
Credit: Jannell Summers for Mirror Indy
Innovative
feed.
We embrace new approaches to storytelling, utilizing emerging technologies and fresh ideas to create engaging and relevant news experiences.
Journalists have a gift for telling community-driven stories and using words, photographs and videos to hold officials accountable. In today’s world, the way those stories reach audiences is different, depending on how they consume information.
Nieman Lab reported in June 2025 that 54% of Americans get their news from social media. It is the first time social media has come out ahead of TV news and news websites/apps as the top way Americans find news. Leaning in to how people consume news and meeting them there, instead of trying to force them to come to you, is a strategy that works. The proof is in Mirror Indy’s numbers.
In 2025, our reach on social media grew. Our total social media followers increased 85% and our engagement rate increased by 52%.
Our approach to social media is, in a way, a reflection of our main online footprint, the website. Mirror Indy’s website is built to make local news and information easily accessible to the audiences we serve.
When we publish resource guides, we include navigation tools to make it easy to quickly find information. Sometimes that means a menu of buttons at the top that lets you jump down to the specific type of help you need, or the week you’re looking to find something fun to do. Other times, it involves
interactive graphics that present complicated information in a way that makes sense.
Because we know that folks care most about what’s happening on their own side of town, we created special sections for neighborhood coverage. These pages gather stories and resources from the east, west and south sides, but also spotlight each neighborhood’s dedicated reporter.
We also created landing pages to help community members who are not daily news readers keep tabs on issues like Indiana redistricting efforts. Our redistricting page gathered videos and stories explaining the issue, a form where people could submit questions for reporters to answer, and news coverage from Mirror Indy and our media partners about new developments.
Ibby Ahmed Social Media Strategist, Mirror Indy
Gwen Ragno Web Producer, Mirror Indy
Ibby Ahmed runs an Instagram live
Connect with Mirrory Indy on Instagram
Often, reading the news can feel like a oneway experience. But we want our work to make people feel connected to each other.
That’s why we wanted a way to hear directly from readers. Arts & Culture Editor Jennifer Delgadillo drew inspiration from an art project called The Apology Line. The artist, Allan Bridge, put up posters across New York City, asking people to call a line and anonymously share their secrets.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we set up a voicemail box where Mirror Indy readers could call and leave a message for their loved ones.
We heard silly nicknames for partners, sweet messages from moms and a choked-up call from someone who missed their chance to ask out a crush who died serving in the military in Iraq.
We used that story structure to gather voicemails for moms on Mother’s Day and to hear your silly New Year’s resolutions for 2026.
Sophie Young Service Reporter, Mirror Indy
Senate Elections Committee chair Mike Gaskill (left) and Sen. Greg Walker speak as the Senate gathers to vote on mid-cycle congressional redistricting Dec. 11, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Listen to Mother’s Day voicemails
The Play List variety show, named after Mirror Indy’s arts & culture newsletter, worked as a local talent sampler with engaging performances and comedy, including puppets, burlesque and interactive live music. Dozens of people packed into a beloved dive and enjoyed themselves and left knowing more about some of the creatives making Indianapolis a special place to live in.
Additionally, guests experienced the beloved eastside event venue State Street Pub, “Indy’s premiere rock n roll freak joint.” Members of our team DJed, performed, narrated and presented, making the circus-themed event an opportunity for direct engagement for building brand awareness.
Jennifer Delgadillo Arts & Culture Editor, Mirror Indy
(Above) Ania Spyra waves a rainbow ribbon during the Play List Variety Show at State Street Pub. (Below) Cathy Morris performs during the show.
Mirror Indy’s mission is to give Indianapolis residents useful information that can make their lives better. One way we do this is through texting.
Whether you want to know what’s going on in your eastside neighborhood or you want the story of the day, our texting groups — Eastside Beat, Westside Beat, Calling Home and In the Mirror — deliver the news straight to more than 4,000 subscribers.
Tyler Fenwick Economics Reporter, Mirror Indy
Sign Up for Mirror Indy SMS Channels
Empowering
We embolden communities by providing essential news and information, enabling residents to make informed decisions.
In 2020, on Halloween, to be exact, Ashley Ford left Brooklyn and moved to Indiana. During her eight years in New York, she built a name for herself as a freelance journalist, podcast host, public speaker, teacher and New York Times bestselling author.
But she felt it was time to come home. Ford had grown up in Fort Wayne, where much of her acclaimed memoir, “Somebody’s Daughter,” was set. After settling in Indianapolis five years ago with her husband, she kept her multi-hyphenate career. Then, in 2025, a job description caught her eye: Women & Girls reporter for Free Press Indiana.
The job: Travel the state, meet women and girls and amplify their stories, the changes they’re creating, the barriers they’re facing. Work with media partners to help fill news gaps. Above all, effect real change to improve the lives of Hoosiers in rural communities, cities and small towns.
“There’s nothing like telling stories about the place you’re from, or the place you live,” Ford said. “In all my writings, interviews and podcast hosting and appearances, Indiana is bound to be mentioned. I always want the people I meet, especially the people who enjoy my work, to understand that those parts of me they so appreciate were developed right here.”
Ford was Free Press Indiana’s first statewide reporting hire.
The role was made possible thanks to early collaborators such as Tamara Winfrey-Harris, president of Women’s Foundation of Indiana; Leslie Bailey, co-founder and former CEO of Indy Maven; and representatives from the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana. Support from individual donors also provided critical funding.
Last fall, Ford spent a lot of time at events around Indiana, introducing herself and listening to women and girls. Many kept bringing up one issue: Their struggles with mental health.
“So many women and girls are stressed out to the point of impairment,” she said. “Not enough people with actual power are listening to them.”
In November, Ford spent time at Harmony Farms in Sheridan, talking with girls who were working to heal their trauma through equine therapy. As they become more comfortable with the horses, the girls learn to trust other people again and believe in their own power to take charge.
“Controlling a 1,000-pound horse or a pony that weighs as much as you do — that is incredibly empowering,” Lisa Condes, the program’s executive director, said.
Along with telling grassroots community stories, Ford regularly connects with leaders and decision-makers. In previous roles, she has interviewed famous women such as
Ashley Ford (left) talks with kid correspondent Daya Bates during Free Press Indiana’s Women & Girls Kick Off Event at The AMP at 16 Tech.
Kamala Harris for Elle magazine; Serena Williams for Allure; and Megan Thee Stallion for The Cut.
When asked who in Indiana she’d like to sit down with in 2026, she said Carlie Irsay-Gordon, co-owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts.
And my first question would be, ‘What is required of a person to be a leader in the midst of grief?’”
This year, Ford is looking forward to digging deeper into the issues that affect the everyday lives of women and girls. She’s also wrapping up a new book, “Don’t Give Yourself Away.”
Stay tuned for the release date.
Amanda Kingsbury Managing Editor of Innovation, Mirror Indy
Tyler Fenwick has taken a beat that is often focused on business needs and made it people-centered by illuminating how economic decisions made by government and business affect Indianapolis residents. There’s no better indicator of those effects than housing — or lack thereof.
Tyler goes to eviction court and encampment sites and listens to residents from Indianapolis Housing Agency properties. He writes about housing discrimination and held city officials accountable when pledged dates to end homelessness came and went. He tracks down answers to questions he’s asked. Tyler doesn’t write about homelessness. He writes for those experiencing homelessness and those who are fighting to end it.
For all of this and more, Mirror Indy was awarded the Joe Fahy Caring for Our Neighbor award from the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, CHIP. The award honors a person or group working to raise awareness about poverty and homelessness in Indianapolis. Tyler accepted the award for the newsroom.
“Mirror Indy is transforming the way local news is reported by reflecting, serving and empowering the people it represents,” Chelsea Haring-Cozzi, CHIP CEO, said in a statement announcing the award. “We celebrate Mirror Indy for its unwavering and deep-rooted dedication to this community.”
Oseye Boyd Editor in Chief, Mirror Indy
Participants Cailyan (14), left, and Madison (15), pet a dog on Nov. 22, 2025, at Harmony IN Horses in Sheridan, Ind. Credit: Brett Phelps/Free Press Indiana/CatchLight Local/Report for America
Read Ashley’s Story
Our work is rooted in serving Hoosiers. Our journalism provides information and resources to help Indianapolis residents improve their lives. But that’s not where it ends. We go beyond reporting on the work of others, and we spend time volunteering at organizations dedicated to serving our audience.
Oseye Boyd
Editor in Chief, Mirror Indy
Oseye Boyd helps pack care kits for nonprofit I Support the Girls.
Mirror Indy and Free Press Indiana pose for a picture after helping prepare garden beds for spring at Flanner House in Indianapolis.
Creating Impact and Outcomes
In 2025, members of our team deployed a short survey at in-person events to learn what kinds of impact our reporting made on people’s everyday lives. Because of Mirror Indy’s reporting:
• 95% said they would recommend Mirror Indy to a friend or neighbor
• 64% of survey respondents attended a local event they heard about in Mirror Indy
• 48% have shared and discussed our reporting with others in the past
• 41% supported a local business they read about on our website
• 10% contacted an elected official or local government representative
Ebony Chappel
Director of Brand and Community
Strategy, Free Press Indiana
People attend a Chat N Chew at Hawthorne Community Center.
Ebony Chappel during the Free Press Indiana Women & Girls kickoff event.
Sustainable
We are committed to a lasting future for local journalism, cultivating diverse funding sources that ensure our independence for the long term.
Free Press Indiana’s focus on sustainability is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to longevity. By cultivating diverse, reliable funding sources, we’re protecting our editorial independence and allowing our newsrooms to serve Hoosiers for decades to come. Over the last year, Free Press Indiana raised more than $4.6 million toward our mission.
Our balanced approach to revenue generation is centered on four pillars: grants and foundation gifts, major individual giving, grassroots membership donations and sponsorship and advertising. This structure is designed to be resilient, flexible and aligned with our mission by ensuring that no single funder, sector or moment influences our work.
At the heart of this model is our community of individual supporters whom we call members. Over the last year, nearly 1,200 members chose to financially support Free Press Indiana, including hundreds who make recurring monthly donations, averaging $18 per month. Additionally, we’re grateful to have more than 75 members of our leadership giving society, Headliners, who contribute at least $1,000 annually.
We’re also deeply thankful to the foundations and grantmakers who made new multi-year commitments to renew their support, providing the stability we need to launch new products and expand our reach in 2026. Overall,
Free Press Indiana received grants from 24 partners who share our belief that strong local news and information are essential civic infrastructure for a thriving community.
Late last year, we launched advertising and sponsorship opportunities inside Mirror Indy to thoughtfully connect more than 25 local businesses and nonprofits with our growing audience of engaged readers. These partnerships created new pathways for community organizations to share their work while supporting Mirror Indy’s mission-driven journalism.
Peter Hanscom Chief Development Officer,
Free Press Indiana
Peter Hanscom (center) during a fundraising event at Indy Maven.
All across the state, there are committed journalists working hard to tell the stories of their communities, and very often, the information is valuable to Hoosiers outside a specific geographic region.
Enter The Lens, a newsletter that launched in fall 2025, to compile that great work and disseminate it to a larger statewide audience.
With more than 5,000 subscribers, The Lens each week works to keep busy, curious Hoosiers in the know about everything from preservation work inside Indiana’s only national park, to efforts by residents to address housing insecurity in their own backyards.
We’ve heard from readers who say that because of The Lens, they’re not only more informed, but more engaged with their state, because they’re made aware of what’s happening from South Bend to Evansville and all points in between.
Lisa Renze Director of Strategic Partnerships, Free Press Indiana
(Above) People attend a Mirror Indy members meetup at Sun King Brewery. (Below) Community organizers meet with members of Free Press Indiana in Fort Wayne.
Sign Up for The Lens
In 2025, more than 40 outlets and neighborhood organizations around the country have utilized our content, some as far away as the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Outlets like WISH-TV use stories almost daily, resulting in more than a quarter of a million views of Mirror Indy content on the WISH website alone.
We also gained ground thanks to increased distribution via the Associated Press, which opened several new markets for us, introducing us to new content consumers well outside Indiana. Once outlets use our content, they tend to be repeat users, proving great storytelling isn’t limited to geographic boundaries.
Lisa Renze
Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism
Associated Press
Ball State Daily News
Banner Graphic
Big Local News
Boston Globe
Butler University
Capital B
Chalkbeat Indiana
DePauw University
Detroit Public TV
Evansville News Lab
Felege Hiywot Center
Fox 59
Franklin College
Franklin Daily Journal
Girls, Inc.
HSPA
Indiana Capital Chronicle
Indiana Citizen
Indiana Coaltion of Open Government
Indiana Communities Institute
Indiana Landmarks
Indiana Lawyer
Indiana News Service (PNS)
Indiana Public Broadcasting
Indiana Public Radio (Ball State)
Indiana State University
Indiana Town Halls
Indiana Youth Institute
Indy Far East Magazine
Indy Maven
Indy Recorder
Indy Star
Indy Star/Gannett
Ink Free News
Investigate Midwest
Invisible Institute
IU-East
IU-Indy
Jasper County Economic Development
Lebanon Reporter
Legacy Foundation (Lake Co)
Lilly Endowment (Comms Team)
Limestone Press
Listening Post Creative
New York Times
News Now Warsaw
Outlet
Owen News
Pattern Magazine
PBS Student Reporting Labs
Public News Service
Purdue Exponent
Radio Latina
Rebuild Local News
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
Sixty Inches From Center
South Bend Tribune
Taylor University
Terre Haute Tribune-Star
The 74
The Commercial Review
The Conversation
The Morgan County
Correspondent
The Republican
The Waynedale News
TheStatehouseFile.com
University of Southern Indiana
Vincennes University
Washington Times Herald
Western Wayne News
WFYI
Whitewater Publications
Whitewater TV
Wisconsin Watch
WISH
Women4Change Indiana
WTHR
YMCA of Greater Indianapolis
Chalkbeat Indiana’s Aleksandra Appleton (left) and Amelia Pak-Harvey speak during a Back-toSchool Story Slam at 16 Tech, co-hosted by Mirror Indy, Chalkbeat Indiana and Indy Kids Winning.
In 2025, we focused on building new ways to engage with our loyal community of members. Our team launched an exclusive monthly newsletter and hosted unique events to give members a behind the scenes look at our work. We gathered at documentary screenings, Mirror Indy Chat N Chews, local breweries and our signature annual event, Mirror Ball, to celebrate the impact of local journalism and recognize the champions whose investment make our work possible.
By the Numbers:
• 1,170+ individual members
• 403 members have an active recurring contribution plan
Nicole O’Neal (center) talks to attendees of a membership meetup at Sun King Brewery.
Mirror Ball 2025: The Beat Goes
Poet Corey Ewing performs.
Guests pose for a photo.
Host Sampson Levingston.
Jay Fuqua performs.
What’s Next?
Bro Krift speaks with a group of community leaders at AWS Foundation in Fort Wayne.
Individual Donors
Chithra Adams
Christa Adkins
Jake Adkins
Kent Agness
Megan Alderman
Charlee Alexeev
Tashween Ali
Martha Allan
David Allee
Stephen Allee
Adair Allen
Brandaun Allen
Jamie Allen
Melanie Allen
Robin Allen
Heidi Altom
David Anderson
Kyle Anderson
Leanne Anderson
The David T. and Caryn C.
Anderson Charitable Fund**
Thomas Anderson
Patricia Andrews
Kathleen Angelone
Rosa Angelone
Dan & Kate Appel
Andrew Arenson
Kaywon Ariyanfar
Kevin and Nancy
Armstrong**
Patrick Armstrong
Michael Arnett
Michael Arnolt**
Olatz Arrieta
Wali Asad
Kathryn Astbury
Paul Atkinson
David Ayers
Kayhan Azadi
Princess B
Andrew Bagnara
Linda Bailey
Alicia Baker
Eric Baker
Jerry Baker
Josh Baker
Marsha Baker-Conley
Alex Bakle
Andrew Ball
Lorraine Ball
Huss Banai
Ian Banks
Pamela Banks
Jeb Banner
Margaret Banning
Allison Barkel
Amy Barnes Fund via Raymond James Charitable
Heather Barnes
Esmé Barniskis
Elise Barrett
Frank and Katrina Basile**
Barbara Bates
Collin Bates
Thomas Battista
Bethany Baugh
Jessica Baxter
Rhonda Bayless
Heather Beery
Kerry Beidelman
John Bell
Sophie Benn
Peyton Bennett
Derek Benson
Theresa A. Berghoff
Neil F Berman
Mariann Bernlohr
Kathryn Betley
Keith Bevacqua
Mary Louise Bewley
Kate Bindewald
Jennifer Bingham
Kristen Bitzegaio
Drew Black**
Samuel Blevins
William Blevins
Shelley Bloch
Elizabeth Blomquist
Thomas Blossom
Katie Blum
Ted and Peggy Boehm
Mike Boland
Weston Allen Bonczek
Patrick Bondi
Leslie Bonilla
Liam Bonner
Abongmechi BonuMochungong
LeMonte Booker
Mary Bookwalter**
Christopher Boone
Daniel Boots
Theresa Bordenkecher
Gabriel Bosslet
Haley Bougher
Maarten Bout
Karen Bower
Anna Bowman
Amber K. Boyd, Attorney at Law
Cheyanne Boyd
Eugene Boyd
** Denotes Headliners, a leadership giving society to recognize donors who have given $1000 or more during the course of the last year.
Oseye Boyd
Ronald Boyle
Katherine Boyles
Patrice Bradley
Caleb Brandmeyer
Elizabeth Brandt
Barbara Branic
SueEllen Braunlin
Peggy Breidenbach
Alyssa Brelage
Brett Brewer & Janice
Hornaday
Steve Brewer
Greg Bright
Leah Brinkman
Erin Bristow
Barato Britt
Maya Broaddus
Andrew Brown
Kelly Brown
Ronald Brown
William Browne
David Browning
Deana Bryant
Phillip Bryant
Bruce Buchanan
Matt Buchanan
Nancy Buchanan
Jake Budler
Linda Bullard
Alice Bullock
Steven Bulloff
Jennifer Burch
Nathan & Stephanie Burner
Karen Burns
Timothy Burns
Jessica Burnside
Carlene Webb Burton
Julie Bush
Jeff Byerly
Willie Byrd Jr.
Michael Cabat
Marcela Cabello**
John Calley
Kathy Calwell
Christine & Henry Camferdam**
Rex Camp
Edith Campbell
Katherine Campbell
James Cangany
Rebecca Carl
Moira Carlstedt
Dennis Carr
Cara Carrion
Ahmaud Carroll-Tubbs
Jane Carter
Hannah Cartwright
Susan Cassada
Robin Catania
Amy Chafey
Abbey Chambers**
Ebony Chappel
Dawn Charbonneau
Anthony Cherolis
Jennifer Childers-Butts
Meg Christensen
Douglas Church
Mary Clark
Joanne Classick
Kevin Cloer
Holly Cloonan
Heather Coates
Jennifer Cole
Leanna Cole
Gina Coleman
Tami Coleman
Nicole Comerford
Steven Conrad
Bob Cook
Emily Cook
Breanna Cooper
Kevin and Trisha Corcoran**
Phaedra Corso
Christine Costianes
Maria Cote
Donald & Dolly Craft**
Dorothy Crenshaw
Betsy & Casey Cronin
Tamise Cross
Adam Crowe
Kathy Crowe
Erin M Crowther
Andrew Cruez
Cassandra Crutchfield
Randy Crutchfield
Sharon Cruz
Susan Cummings
April Currier
Lauren Curry
Zoe Curry
Colleen Curtin
Alexandra Curtis
Cathy Cutchins
Gene D’Adamo**
Jason D’Angelo
Laura Dailey
Marti Daily
Paul Daily
Calla Dain
Murph Damron
Deborah Daniels
Bethanie Danko
Ronald Darrah
Marlo David
Stephanie Davidsen
Carol Davis
Elise Davis
John and Kathy Davis Foundation**
Kurt Davis**
Renee Davis
Rita Davis
Sterling Davis
Theresa Davis
David Dawson
Anne De Prez**
Ann De Sisti
William Deal
Chris Dean
Lois DeHoff
Daniel Del Real
Conor Delehanty
Kristen Dennemann
Abby Dennis
Gail Dent
Ashley DePrez
John C DePrez Jr
Karen DeSantis
Nicholas Detrich
Susan Devoe
Sarah Diaz
Tamyka Dickerson
Brian Dickinson
Clare Dignan
Mary Dilthey-Griggs
Brianna Dines
Kerry Dinneen
Kerry Dinneen and Sam B. Sutphin**
Natalie Dobie
Kate Dobson
Cecelia Dodson
Levi Dolan
Joseph Doll, OFS
Tyson Domer
Aubrey Donaldson
Ryan Donnelly
Anne Doran
Patricia Dorson
Emma Doud
Teri Dougherty
Paul and Lisa Dovey
Brittany Doyle
Danielle Drake
Colin Dullaghan
Ramon Dunkin
Carol Dunlevy
Steve Dunlop
Art Duszynski
Andrea Dutchess
Caroline Dutkanych
Owen Dwyer
Justin Dyer
Jennifer Dzwonar
Kathleen Egan
Deborah Ehret
Julie Eilers
Claudette and Larry Einhorn
Robert Einterz
Julie Ellison
Jessica Elston
Robert Emmett
Laura England
Jill English
Jodie English
Rita Englum
Robert Erney
Leslie Etienne
Beverly Evans
Hannah Evans
Leigh Evans
Cheryl Fahrenbach
Gina Fannin
Gail Farnsley
Home Fasig
David Feinberg**
Becky Fenwick
Ferguson Fuson Family**
Ethan Fernhaber**
Barbara Ferrill
Benjamin Ferris
MaryAnna Ferris
Ethan Fields
Elizabeth Fischer
Morgan Fisher
Nancy Fitzgerald-Bellovary
Jonathan Fiur
Liz Flaherty
Judith Fletcher
Scott Flood
Kevin Flynn
Ashley Ford
Justin Fortner
Dianna Fox
Peggy Frame
Jennifer Franklin
Kate Franzman
Edward Freeman
Lisa Freeman
Sarah Freeman
Brenda Freije
Jessica French
Elizabeth Friedland
Laura Friesen
Ann Frutkin
Janet Fry
Jay Fuson
Adrian Gaeta
Gara Gaines
Paul Gaither
Sara Galer
Patricia Gamble-Moore
Christi Garcia
Esther Garza
Shelly Gattlieb
Susan Gaughan
Elisabeth Gawthrop
Alyssa Geisler
Karen Gentleman
Susan Gerhart
KK Gerhart-Fritz
Arden Gervase
Catherine Gibbs
Lesli Gibson
Ron Gifford
Howdy Gilchrist
Shelley Given
Leona Glazebrooks
Marianne Glick**
Kristi Gmutza
Charles Goad
Tyler Gobble
Mark Goins
John Goldes
Jenn Lisak Golding
Stephen Goldsmith
Lauren Good
Mark Goodpaster
Katie Goodrich
Aaron Gore
Marisol Gouveia
Stephanie Grabow
Cynthia Grandia
Robert Grant
Susan Graves
Elizabeth Gray
Green Family Donor Advised Fund**
Jacqueline Green
Kristine Green
Lindsey Green
Sarah Green
Sydney Green
Talia Green
Meredith Greene
Sharry Lee Gregory
Teresa Gregory
Nicole Greives
Gerry Griffith
Elisabeth Groot
Ted Grossnickle**
Bill Groth**
Gretchen Guard
Andre Guima
William Gulde
Ryan Gunterman
Ange Guntz
Jade Gutierrez
John Guy**
Susan Guyett
Gyamfua Gyamerah
Linda Haas
Virginia Hacker
Patty Hagen and Curt Wellman**
Greg Hahn
Marianne Haisten
Jimmy Haley
Carla Hall
Scott Hall
Connie Hamm
Marissa Hamm
Kelly Hamman
Charles Hammond
Mary Michele Hampton
James Hanna
Peter and Jordan Hanscom**
Charles Hanson
Michelle Hare
Annie Hargens
Jackie Harlan
Steve Harman
Alethea Harnish
Mitchell Harper
Harris-Thompson Family Fund
Katharine Harris
Susan Harris
Whitney Hart-Lynch
Cynthia Hartshorn
Michael Hartz
Lucy Harvey
Joe Hatcher
Paul Haut
Sandra Hawk
Deana Haworth**
Denise Hayden
Nichelle Hayes
Lisa Heacox
Ellen Healey
James Heaney
Sara Hebel
Charles Heintzelman
Linda Heitzman**
Kristen Henderson
Louise & Brian Henderson**
Lisa Hendrickson
Jane A. Henegar
Lori A Henson
Denise Herd
Angela Herrmann
Toni Herron
Elise Hertz
Nora Hiatt
Kelly Hill
Riley Hill-Kartel
Emily Hillyer
Perry Hines
Pam Blevins Hinkle
Paul Hinton
Hannah Hobson
Robert Hodierne
Bex Hoffer
Julia Tipton Hogan**
Abbe Hohmann
Sandra Mitchell Holder
Yadira Holguin
Cathy Holland
John Holland
Teresa Holland
Jason Holliday
Patrick Holliday
Joshua Hollingsworth
Debby Holton
Laura Holzman
Wesley Homoya
Ken & Becky Honeywell**
Suzanne Hopkins
Karen Horseman
David Horth
Beth Hospodarsky
Susie Howard
Harry Howe
Jeffrey Howell
Ethan Hrobsky
Michael and Liane Hulka**
Lee Hull Moses
Karissa Hulse
Melinda Humbert
Lindsey Hummel
David Humpal
Jeffrey Humphrey
Marva Hunt
Zachary Hunt
Catherine Hurt
Susan Hyatt
Allissa Impink
Rhonda Impink
T.A. Inskeep
Kerry Irick
Janet Irwin
Steve Irwin
Mitch Isaacs
Rodney Isaacs
Cole Jackson
Lisa Jackson
Mark Jackson
Tim Jarzombek
Amber Jeffers
Victoria Jennings
Judi Jessup
Amy Johnson
Claudia Johnson
Jedediah Johnson
Meagan Johnson
Nicholas Johnstone
Walter Jolly
Audrey Jones
Bob Jones
Chad Jones
Chris Jones
Contish Jones
Jasper Jones
Jonathan Jones
Mark Jones
Meredith Jones
Ronald Jordan
David Jose
Eric Josephson
Fredricka Joyner
Amy Judge-Prein
Laurel Judkins & Craig Von
Deylen**
Yoon Ji Jung
Just Words LLC
Genene Kambs
Althea Kaminske
Larry Kane
Steven Kane
Anastasia Karel
Nicole Kearney
Caran Keller
Erin Kelley
Teri Kelley
James Kelly
Margo Kelly
Simone Kendrick
Diane Hubbard Kennedy
Robert Kennedy
Sheila Kennedy
Sue Kennedy
Debra Kent
Sharmin Kent
Mina Keohane
Jayne Kercheval
Chris Kerstiens
Jane Keyler
Clinton Westley Kilgore
Carol Killen
Kelly Kimpton
Carolyn Kingen
Janelle K Kirsch
Francia Kissel
Katherine Kite
Rebecca Knotts
Lisa and Kenneth Kobe
Lynette Koffskey
Kristin Kohn
Andrea Kosar
Matt Krack
Anna Kragness
Cory Kranek
Kurt Kriese
Anna Krift
Bro Krift**
F A Krift
Carmen Kruer
Erica Kuchinski
Marina Kukla
Jenn Kurdziel
Abby Kurtz
Alison Kusmik
Louis Labellarte
Bob Laikin
Cumulus Fund
Bruce Lakin
Christopher Lamberson
William Lambert
Ned & Martha Lamkin
Zola Lamothe
Jean Lampert
Jayne Langan
Lisa Lanham
James Lansberry
Theresa Lansberry
Allan Lasser
Carolyn Lausch
Kristen Hailperin Lausch
Melissa Lavella
Lois M. and John D. Lawrence
Lars Lawson
Eric Learned
Rachel Leigh
Joseph Leimer
Sharon Lemler
Lori LeRoy
David Leszcynski
Robert Letsinger
Catherine Lewis
Cordelia Lewis
Andra Liepa
Paula Light
Michael Lindburg
Riki Lineback
Katy Lines
Teresa Littrell
Hannah Locke
Sharon Logan
Hans Lopshire
Janet Loudermilk
Jerry Lowe
Laura M Lucas
Katharine Lukes
Enzo Lundy
Russell Luzetski
Tony Maden
Kathryn Maeglin
Mike Magan
Sandra Maher
Meghan Malone
Steven Mannheimer
Scott Manning
Chelsea Marburger
Morton Marcus
Eugene Maresca
Jeffrey Marks
Chris Maroldo
Graham Marshall
Sheila Marshall
Clif Marsiglio
Elaine Martin
Jerome Martin**
Karen Martin
Lynn Martin
Ryan Martin
Chris Martindale
Elizabeth Masur
Kristine Matel
Beverly Matthews
Ann Matthiesen
Lorraine Mayhugh
John Mays
Marc McAleavey
Mary McAteer
Alex McCarthy
Kyle McClurg
Frances McCollum
Rebecca McCracken
Cynthia McCreary
Sarah McDanell
Richard McElroy
Melissa McHaffie
Katherine McInerney
Nouri McLucas
Ollie-Rosa McMahan
Grace McManus
Matthew McMichael
John McNabb
Meredith McNabb
Claudia McPete
McRobbie Family Advised Fund, a component fund of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County**
John McShea
Kaye McSpadden
Rita McVey
Amanda Medlen
Lauren Mehl
Jason Melchi
Ellyn Mendenhall
Jennifer Menser
Jolene Mentink Moffatt
Larry Messing
Daniel Meyer
The Robert R. and Gayle T.
Meyer Family Fund, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation**
Carrie Miannan
Sarah Mikhailova
Helen Miles
Martha Miles
Harold Miller
Shawndra Miller
Kacia Mills
Kenzie Mintus
Kelli Mirgeaux
Justin Misch
Lori Miser
Pauline Moffat
Mary Claire Molloy
Theresa Mondello
Vanessa Monfreda
James Moore
Robert Moore III
Kristina Moorhead
Stuart Mora
Mary Morgan
Mary Jane Moriarty
Daniel Morris
Lisa and Jon Mowery Charity
Foundation**
Julie Muncy
Anthony Murdock II**
Katelyn Murphy
Shalonda Murray
John Mutz**
Valory Myers**
Woodrow & Stacy Myers**
Leah Nahmias
Jamila Nassar
Timothy Nation
Nila Nealy
Jenna Nelson
Susan Neville
Alyssa Newerth
Julianna Newland
Meghan Newman
Alexandra Nickerson
Nathan Nieman
Keith Nightenhelser
Jonathan Nolen
Stevie Norman
Not 1 More Project**
Bruce Nugent
Julie O’Brien
Liam O’Connor
Tricia O’Connor
Margaret O’ConnorCampbell
Cynthia O’Dell
Nicole O’Neal
Holly & Eric O’Neill
Natasha O’Neill
Anthony Ocean
MJ Oddi
Samuel Odle**
Donna Oklak
Angela Okragly
David and Lora Olive
Charitable Account**
Mary K Oreovicz
Michael Orr**
Margaret Osborn
Myra Otto
Michael Ouimette**
Carol Paddock
Gerri Pagach
Richard Paige
Jacquelyn Palmer
Jenny Pan
Holly Pantzer**
J. David Pappas
Wendy Parker
Angelique R Parkes
Casey Patrick
Rebecca Patrick
Kathryn Patterson
Monica Patterson
Sharon Patterson
Fred Payne
Susan Payne
Adam Peat
Rita Peat
Jason Peifer
Jason Penrod
Susan Peoni
Ronald Perez
Victor and Girtha Perkins**
Patricia Perrin
Bart Peterson**
Charlotte Peterson
Madisen Petrosky
Cindy Phelps
Jacquelyne Phend
Mike Piggott
Mark Pike
Darrell Pirtle
MaryEllen Pitts
Christine Pitzer
Angela Plank
Madeline Plank
Cheryl Platt
Steven Pockrass
Dave Poole
Phillip Poor
Kevin Poortinga
Jim Poyser
Shannon Presto
Will Prim
Tom & Julia Probasco
Melissa Proffitt**
Richard Proie
Richard Propes
Alex Pruitt
Myrta Pulliam**
Brad Quinn**
Kris R
Claire Rafford
Kelly Rafford
Mike and Kelly Rafford
Paul Ragan
Gwen Ragno
Rajwani Family Giving Account**
Barbara Ralston
Monica Ramsey
Marlena Ratchford
Denise Rayman
Michael Read
Chris Reading
Daniel Reagan
Linda Reddington
Mary Redman
Cheryl Reed
Denise Rehfuss
Sandra Reiberg
Adele Reich
Joel Reichenbach
Meghan Reilly-Bowes
Lisa Renze
Kevin Retzke
Alicia Reuter
Thomas Reynolds
Sue Richardson
Susan Richardson
Gail Riecken
Timothy Riffle
Oliver Riggle
Matthew Riggs
Brady Ripperger
Melinda Rito
Neal and Erika Roach
Karen Roberson
Matthew Roberts
John Robertson
Nicholas Robertson
Becky Robinson
Lynette Rock
Eric Roesch
Willie Roper
Stan Rorick
Tony & Marya Rose Foundation**
Jalen Roseberry
Susan Ross
Lele Rossell
Tiffany Rossetti
Nash Roth
Andrea Rowland-Price
Julie Rowlas
Sarah Rowley
Harrison Royce
George Rubenstein
Vicki Rubio
Julie Ruhana
Jessica Runkle
Timothy Russell
Jason Sadler
Linda Samaniego
Samuels Family Charitable Fund
Denise Sanders
Linda J Santoro
Anqunette Sarfoh
Christopher Saunders
David Savage
Kevin Sawrie
Carolyn Scanlan
Lucy Schaich
Zach Schalk
John and Konnie Schlechte**
Alice Schloss**
Greg Schmalfeldt
Joanne Schmidt
Phyllis Schmidt
John B. and Jen Schmits
Thomas**
MaryAnn Schmutte
Eric Schoch
John Schorg
Laura Schroeder
MaryAnn Schubert
Leslie Schulte
Marilyn Schultz
Alison Schumacher
Sam Schumacher
Connie Szabo Schmucker
Jennifer Schuster
John Scott
Jonathan Scott
Jen & Tom Searcy
Mary Korczak Secor
Kim Seitzinger
Anne & Andrew Sellers**
Scott Severns
Abdul Shabazz
Ronak Shah
David and Anne Shane**
Jonathan Shapiro
Scott Sharlow
Jordan Sharp
Kelly & John Sharp
Jordan Shea
John Sherman
Dana Sherwood
Rhaya Shilts
Lindsay Shipps
Cheryl Shore
Elise Shrock
Kate Bathon Shufeldt & Greg Shufeldt**
Sarah Silcox
Mallory Simmons
Ruth Simmons
William Simmons
Deanna Simon
Julie Singer
Doug Singleton
Donna Sink
Adeleine Sinsabaugh
Betty Sisco
Flor Ramos Skidmore**
Teresa Skowronek
Philip Slates
Chase Slaughter
Taylor Sloan
Samuel T Sluis
Adrianne Smith
Bonnie Smith
Cheryl Smith
Christopher Smith
Donald Smith
Janet Smith
John Smith
Lillian Smith
Lily Smith
Mike and Sue Smith**
Jeanne Smucker
Kate Snedeker
Jeffrey Sneed
John Snethen
Sam Snideman
Brandy Snider
Tamera Snowden
Andrea Sommers
Kerbeh Sorsor
Dennis Southerland
Tom Spalding
Cheryl Spells
Bart Spencer
Nora Spitznogle
John St. Angelo
Ann M. Stack**
Natalie Stafford
Cindy Stanley
Jeff Stant
Alexandra Stark
Toby Stark
Laura Steadham
Eric Steele
Kyra Stefin
Sara Steinhardt
Camille Stephens
Maggie Stevens
Barbara Stilwell
Joe Stilwell**
Steven MacPherson Stolen
Meg Storrow
John Strauss
Mark & Cindy Strietelmeier
Jeffrey Stroebel
Chrystal Struben
Michelle Stuart
Dava Sullender
Jim Sullivan
Elizabeth Sumpter
Susan Sveen
Tyne Swedish
Jolene Sweetman
Steve Sweitzer
Nancy Swigonski
Lynn Sygiel
Angela Szumski
Clayton Taylor
Benjamin Tebbe
Delores Thomas
Render Thomas
Renee Thomas-Woods
Chalmer Thompson
Linsey Thompson
Quintin Thompson
Douglas Tillman**
Whitney Tolbert
Tomorrow Bookstore
Michael Torres
Cynthia Tow
Derek Tow
Stephen Towne
Anna Tragesser
Lindsay Trameri
Brett Travis
Joan Trendell
Jessica Trimble
Linda Trippi
Nikki Trojanowski
Eunice Trotter
Pat Trowers-Johnson
Anthony Troxell
Molly Trueblood
Jacquelyn Tschudy
Bree Turner
Cathy Turner**
Robin Turner
Erik Tysklind
Jeannie Underwood
Chris Vachon
Anne Valentine
Daniel Valleskey
Malia Vanaman
Nancy VanArendonk
Jean VanLeeuwen
Joel Vastbinder
Lindy Vaught
Martha Vaught
Rita Venable
Ashton Vickery
Jennifer Vigran
Susan Vinicor
Eleanor Vonnegut
Shannon Wade
Tyler Wade
Janet Wakefield
Jennifer Walker
Jillian Walker
Rachel Walker
Sheila Walkup
Laura Wallman
Richard Walsh
Steven Walsh
Russell & Pamela Walters**
Jennifer Walton
Stephanie Wang
Richard Waples
Mary Ward
James Wareham
Diana Waring
Amy Warner
Erin MS Warner
Patricia Warrick
Donnie Waters
LJ Watson
Stanley Watson
Andrea Watts
John Weaver
Peter Webb
Rosalind Webb
Akilah Webster
Michael Weiner
Judy Weitzman
Gabrielle Weldy
Barbara Wellnitz
Jennifer Wenger
The West Indianapolis Community Foundation, a fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation
Maureen West
Quinton West
Sue West
Wilmer West
Susan Wever
Kelly Wheat
Philip Whistler
Elizabeth White
Helen White
Julia Whitehead
Greg Whitley
Sara Whitmer
Richard Whitney
Julie Whitsett
Jennifer Whitt
Tony Nguyễn Wiederhold**
Scott Wiederoder
Janice Wiley
Alexis Williams
Olatunji Williams
Raven Williams
Jessica & Dave Willis
Cordelia Wills
Imani Wills-Henderson
Nichole and Corey Wilson**
Angelia Wimbley
Martha Windisch
Daisy Winkler
Winters Preckel Charitable
Fund
Abby Winters
J Winters
Dolores Wisdom
Megan Wofford
Reagan Wohlford
Barbara Wolanin
Joseph Wolf
Judy Wolf
Audra Wolfe
Charles Worrell
Marjorie Worrell
Brian Worthmann
D.P. Wright
Katherine Wright
Roe Wright
Rachel Blanche Wuthrich
Colleen Wynn
Molly Wyss
Monica Yane
Elaine Yaw
Charla Yearwood
Wendy Yerkes
Ahmed Young
Kelly Young
Sophie Young
Carly Zimmerman
Alissa Zink
Kathy Zoppi
Diana Zubkus
Anonymous (53) **
Grant Support
A-Mark Foundation
Allen Whitehill Clowes
Charitable Foundation
American Journalism Project
Arnold Ventures
City Bureau
Education Writers Association
Fund for Investigative Journalism
Girl Scouts of Central Indiana
Glencoe Family Foundation
Glick Philanthropies
Google News Initiative
Herbert Simon Family Foundation
Indianapolis Colts
Institute for Nonprofit News
Joyce Foundation
Lacy Foundation
Lumina Foundation
Meridian Foundation
Nicholas H. Noyes Jr. Foundation
Nina Mason Pulliam
Charitable Trust
Open Campus
Report for America
The McKinney Family Foundaiton
United Way of Central Indiana
Women’s Fund of Central Indiana
Sponsors and Advertisers
A Longer Table
American Piano Awards
Black Onyx Management
ClusterTruck
Creative Minds HC
Eiteljorg Museum
Epicurean Indy
Heartland Film Festival
Ice Miller, LLP
Indiana State Fair
Indianapolis Cultural Trail
Indianapolis Symphonic Choir
Indy Arts Council
Indy Chamber
Jasmine Tafoya Photography
LiveNation
Pivot
Point of View Story
React Theatre
SE Neighborhood Development
Second Helpings
Silver in the Ciy
Southbank Theatre
Company
The Mind Trust
Trusted Mentors
Additional photo credits
Doug McSchooler
Eliezer Hernandez
Jenna Watson
Lee Klafczynski
Richard Sitler
Claire Nguyen
G. Encarnacion
Rylan Capper
Elizabeth Masur works to maintain a patch of land with native flowers and grass on July 16, 2025, at the City of Lawrence Butterfly and Pollinator Habitat at Lee Road Park. Credit: Brett Phelps/Mirror Indy/CatchLight Local/Report for America
