GFW Inc. Names Seven Award Winners at Annual Meeting Event
Greater Fort Wayne (GFW) Inc. presented seven awards to those making an impact across Allen County. The awards, distributed each year as part of GFW Inc.'s Annual Meeting event, honored a small business, an area nonprofit, an organization exhibiting excellence in business, and four local leaders.
Cleveland, Ohio Native & WFFT Fox 55 News Anchor Terra Brantley To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
FOX 55 Evening News Anchor Terra Brantley will receive the coveted Silver Circle Lifetime Achievement Emmy award from the Great Lakes Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences during a ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Cleveland Hotel in Public Square.
Reflections on Mayor Tom Henry
As Mayor Henry’s tragic passing impacted our community, it impacted some more closely. Mr. John Dortch, Owner of Ink Spot was one whom it impacted more deeply. In the time that I have known Mr. Dortch, he has always spoken highly of the mayor and their relationship and history together dating back to when they both worked for Parkview Hospital.
Citilink, Phresh Laundry Unveil Rosa Parks Bus Wrap Honoring Transit Equity Day
Citilink, Fort Wayne's public transportation provider, recently revealed a bus adorned with unique artwork paying tribute to civil rights activist Rosa Parks designed by local artist Theoplis Smith III, also known as Phresh Laundry. The wrap was sponsored by SEED Fort Wayne.
Cydney Bridges, Our Queen!
On Sunday evening, January 14 as scheduled in my calendar, my ten year old daughter and I logged in online to watch the Miss America finals. The competition had not been streamed in several years and there was a local watch party in Fort Wayne where a group of local supporters gathered to watch.
Ms. Black Indiana USA-Andrea Ford
Andrea Ford recently announced on social media that she is the current Ms. Black Indiana USA. She was a high school student running track years ago when I met her and got to coach her. It was a pleasure to reconnect via zoom to chat about her life so far and how she got this title.
New Executive Director to Lead Health Visions Midwest Inc.
Fort Wayne, IN- HealthVisions Midwest Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Sharon Tubbs as its new Executive Director, leading the charge for the nonprofit organization across Indiana and Illinois. A Fort Wayne native, Tubbs has been integral to the agency's Fort Wayne office since March 2020, and her elevation to the role of Executive Director comes at a crucial juncture as Midwest grapples with post-pandemic the challenges in achieving health equity and access for the underserved.
Caregivers: It’s OK to Ask for Help
We all want what’s best for everyone whom we consider family. Many gracious people go above and beyond to ensure all the needs of their loved ones are met. Someone caring for another recovering from illness, those helping an elderly parent with basic activities or others providing a safe environment for a child in need have one thing in common- they are all caregivers.
Ivy Tech Community College and Tracy Davis
Tracy Davis is the new Executive Director of Community Relations and Diversity, Equity and Belonging at Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne/Warsaw. She started this role in May, and I was able to connect with her recently after a few months on the job on-site at her office to discuss how it's going and what the role means for the college.
Hearn Family Ball
I was recently able to catch up with the Hearn family, Crane, Tonya and Sydney. I have known this family almost the entire 16 years I’ve been in Fort Wayne. I coached basketball at Prince Chapman Middle School at the beginning of my time in this community and Tonya would come to referee games with young Sydney in tow. As I attended and supported girls' high school games I then met Crane.
Drive, Dedication, And Discipline: Meet Vel Bates and Alexis Ackerson The Owners Of 3D Fitness- Part 1
Born and raised in Fort Wayne, IN, Vel Bates and Alexis Ackerson have been best friends for the last 17 years. They both grew up playing sports and having a love for fitness. Ackerson played basketball and tennis while Bates played football and ran track.
Pillars of Hope and Justice
60 years ago to the date, June 5, 1963, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. visited Fort Wayne, his only time to be in our city, calling our citizens to nonviolent resistance. The six Pillars of Hope and Justice commemorate his visit, his presence, his message, his vision, which is now ours, the aspiration for a Beloved Community.
Right To Your Doorstep: John Dortch receives Esteemed Dr. Daryl Yost Award for Philanthropy
John P Dortch was the 2023 recipient of the Daryl Yost Award from the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center on April 24, 2023. The esteemed award has never been given to an African American business leader since its creation nearly nine years ago. The Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, The NIIC--is an incubator for business development offering supportive resources to entrepreneurs in the greater Fort Wayne area.
Self-Development and Leadership: Rescue Mission's Ellis LaGrone Shares His Story
Although his story begins with unfortunate circumstances, Ellis LaGrone has made lemonade out of the past lemons he created for himself. Ellis was facing criminal charges at the end of 2017, so his lawyer gave him two options: to go to drug court or go to prison. Ellis returned to his cell block to pray before beginning his new journey.
Passing a Community Heirloom: Stuart Family Painting Donated to The Dream Center
Significant moments in our community's history are often forgotten and left unrecorded but remain foundational to who we are. When changes arise for any reason, we can identify moments or benchmarks representing the best part of us and our development into a better place. One of these moments happened on an evening on March 17, 2023, when Clarence Stuart Jr. donated a piece of his