Introduced Version
SENATE RESOLUTION No. ___
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOL UTION
A SENATE RESOLUTION recognizing the distinguished
career of Alpha Blackburn as a renowned Indianapolis artist
dedicated to serving her community.
BREAUX
, read first time and referred to Committee on
2023 DR 3844/DI TB Introduced
First Regular Session 123rd General Assembly (2023)
SENATE RESOLUTION ____
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
1 A SENATE RESOLUTION recognizing the distinguished
2 career of Alpha Blackburn as a renowned Indianapolis artist
3 dedicated to serving her community.
4 Whereas, A philanthropist, CEO, magazine editor,
5 award-winning fashion designer, and former TV host, Alpha
6 Blackburn's career is remarkable for her achievements as an
7 interior/fashion designer and for her service to her home
8 community of almost 60 years, Indianapolis, Indiana;
9 Whereas, After growing up in Lynchburg, Virginia, Alpha
10 Blackburn attended Howard University, graduated cum laude,
11 and earned a BA in design and an MFA in painting and art
12 history;
13 Whereas, From 1972 to 1981, Alpha Blackburn hosted
14 daily and weekly local television talk shows, and from 1980 to
15 1990, served as fashion editor at Indianapolis Monthly;
16 Whereas, In 1987, Alpha Blackburn was appointed
17 Commissioner at the Indiana Civil Rights Commission by
18 Governor Orr and named Chair in 1990, a position she served
19 through several administrations;
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1 Whereas, After the passing of her late husband, Walter
2 Blackburn, in 2000, Alpha Blackburn took over as President
3 and CEO of Blackburn Architects, completing the National
4 Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati and
5 leading the development of a four-million-dollar public art
6 program for the Indianapolis International Airport;
7 Whereas, Alpha Blackburn's commitment to Indianapolis is
8 demonstrated by her position on more than 60 boards,
9 commissions, and civic committees, including the Indianapolis
10 Symphony Society, the Indianapolis Cultural Development
11 Commission, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Indiana
12 Museum of African American History, among many more;
13 Whereas, Dedicated to assisting aspiring artists in
14 overcoming financial and social barriers, Alpha Blackburn
15 oversees the Walter & Alpha Blackburn Scholarship Fund to
16 provide high school students wanting to study architecture or
17 the arts four years of support in college;
18 Whereas, To provide opportunities for young Hoosiers,
19 Alpha Blackburn established the Alpha Blackburn Scholarship
20 for the Arts at Herron School of Art and Design at IUPUI and
21 continues to provide mentorship as a member of the School's
22 Advisory Board;
23 Whereas, Alpha Blackburn was honored with an IUPUI
24 Chancellor's Medallion for her decades of service to the IUPUI
25 campus and its students;
26 Whereas, Alpha Blackburn has been recognized with
27 numerous awards and distinctions, including the IUPUI Spirit
28 of Philanthropy Award, the Hope Award of the Multiple
29 Sclerosis Society, the Trailblazer Award from Indiana Black
30 Expo, the Spirit of Freedom Award from the Indiana Civil
31 Rights Commission, induction into the Central Indiana
32 Business Hall of Fame, selection as Outstanding Woman of the
33 Year, and recognition as one of the Indiana Historical Society's
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1 Living Legends; and
2
3 Whereas, While her many designs throughout Central
4 Indiana showcase Alpha Blackburn's talent and creativity, it is
5 her civic service, contributions to charity, scholarships for
6 student artists, and continued commitment to ensuring a diverse
7 and vibrant culture in Indianapolis that define Alpha
8 Blackburn's extraordinary contributions to a grateful city:
9 Therefore,
10 Be it resolved by the Senate of the
11 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
12 SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate recognizes Alpha
13 Blackburn as a renowned Indianapolis artist dedicated to
14 serving her community.
15 SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed
16 to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Alpha Blackburn.
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