An Indianapolis dance instructor is using movement to bridge cultures and educate the community.

She’s doing this through her unique fusion of modern dance with African and African American traditions.

At Iris Rosa Dance Studio, movement is a language that speaks across generations and cultures.

A choreographer, Rosa Santiago is a longtime educator at Indiana University Bloomington’s department of African American and African diaspora studies. She blends modern dance with influences from the African diaspora, including Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latin styles. She opened her dance studio in 2022 to expose the community to the diversity of dance and music.

Seda Negra/Black Silk Dance Company is one of Rosa’s dance groups within the dance studio. The dancers tell political, social and cultural narratives. Dancer Amelia Smith says she likes Rosa Santiago’s style, and how she includes her students in the creative process.

Rosa Santiago says its important for dancers to branch out and learn more than one dance genre. She says travelling and learning about culture through dance is life-changing. “It makes you appreciate dance more, but it really opens up your mind, it gives you more of a world-view and a perspective that if you were only in one genre, then you’d only know that.”

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A historic downtown hotel that was once a safe haven for Black travelers is blending its past and present after a multimillion-dollar renovation.

The Omni Severin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis was listed as a safe space to stay in Victor Hugo Green’s The Negro Motorist Green Book, a guidebook for Black travelers during the Jim Crow era.

Over 200 business across the country, such as restaurants, gas stations, and hotels, were listed in the book.

Now, after a $24 million renovation, the Omni Severin Hotel offers new rooms, a lobby, and a newly opened café and bar inspired by trains across the street at Union Station. It kept a lot of its original architecture and art deco roots.

The hotel was originally built in 1913.

As one of the last remaining Green Book locations, Quackenbush says he wants guests to not only enjoy their stay, but also understand the importance and history of the space.

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We are celebrating Black history at WISH-TV, and in this instance, it’s the life and legacy of Dr. Edna Martin. She is the focus of a talk taking place in Indy Thursday night. Anthony Conley is a historian and is giving that talk at the Indiana Landmarks Center.

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The Black Church Coalition of Indianapolis pushed for its “ALLIN4Indiana” campaign as part of Black Week at the Statehouse on Tuesday.

During the rally, dozens of Black clergy and parishioners spoke to lawmakers in between sessions and hearings to have their voices heard on the four key issues of the movement.

The group has four pillars of its campaign — universal preschool, property tax relief for seniors, funding for mental health, and gun violence prevention.

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A local Hoosier has made history as the first African-American man to lead the Public Relations Society of America Hoosier Chapter.

Indy native LaMar Holliday’s leadership comes at a crucial time as the industry pushes for more diversity and inclusion.

Holliday’s journey to public relations started after a six-year career as a television journalist. He joined the PRSA Hoosier Chapter, which he says has been crucial in teaching him everything he knows about public relations.

The president-elect says he wants to take on his new role by continuing diversity, equity, and inclusion within Indiana’s PR industry by creating more opportunities for diverse talent. Holliday has the support of the national chapter.

One of the biggest challenges Holliday sees in the public relations industry is the lack of Black men. He is hoping his leadership can set the precedent for a more inclusive industry.

Holliday founded his business, The Holliday Collaborative Agency in 2021.

Holliday’s term as president of the organization starts in 2026. Until then, he plans to talk with each member of the organization throughout the year to find out what their needs and goals are.

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A powerful performance blending spoken word, dance, and music is set to take center stage this weekend at the Indiana State Museum. “Seeds of Freedom: The Spiritual Roots of the American Civil Rights Movement” aims to educate and inspire audiences while bringing history to life in a creative way.

Deborah Asante, founder of the Asante Art Institute, stopped by Daybreak to chat about the performance and its impact.

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A group of young leaders on Friday made an impact in central Indiana.

Fishers High School’s Future Black Leaders student organization hosted its seventh annual Black Leadership Summit in Shelton Auditorium at Butler University.

Over 350 students from 16 predominately white central Indiana schools gathered at the private university in Indianapolis. The students had discussions and workshops on leadership, career readiness, and social justice.

A group of students at Fishers High School started Future Black Leaders in 2016, and it’s grown to include other predominantly white schools. The group’s goal is to promote racial equality and make a difference.

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This week marks the launch of Black Week at the Statehouse, an event designed to create open and meaningful conversations between lawmakers and the Black community.

The initiative, spearheaded by Chaka Coleman, a respected lobbyist and lawyer, aims to make the legislative process more inclusive.

Black Week runs Monday and Tuesday, offering a two-day opportunity for attendees to participate without needing formal registration. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on the third floor of the Statehouse, welcoming anyone interested in sharing their experiences and engaging in the dialogue.

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