Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 March 2004 — Page 2

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2004

Historic and cultural tour in city Purdue University’s Black Cultural Center will sponsor an Indianapolis cultural and historic tour on March 6. A bus tour with oral history of African-American Hoosiers in Indianapolis will take visitors to the oldest African-American church in Indianapolis, which was a stop for the Underground Railroad. The trip includes AfricanAmerican cuisine and authentic 1870 entertainment by Freetown Village characters. Pre-registration is required, and tickets are $15 for students and $40 for the general public.

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Wanted: Peer Educators The Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana Peer Education program trains f, outstanding young leaders to provide medically accurate, factual information J on sexuality and related issues. Peer Educators facilitate educational sessions | in the community as well as working as resources for their peers on a one-to

one basis.

Who is a Pftr Educator. • 14 to 17 years old • Friendly and outgoing • Enjoys working with people • Interested in public speaking • Wants to contribute to the

community

• Reliable and responsible • Has leadership skills

How do you find out Contact us for details Indianapolis 317-926-4662 ext. 148 Muncie 765-282-8011 ext. 242 Online at www.ppin.org

T<Mt to flMt apacW mimom wMt our Aphrodisiac Martini!

456 i Indianapolis, IN 46250 (317) 863-FISH (3474)

BMIKIECKWITH WAS KNOWN FN HQ WAKMTH MB COMMITMENT Community leader dies in house fire

Staff Report The Indianapolis civic leader known for her compassion, ability tooffer sincere encouragement and wonderful sense of humor is suddenly no longer with the people who loved her so dearly. Bobbie Beckwith, 84, died Tuesday after a fire engulfed her home on 3100 block ofWashington Boulevard. Her son, Larry Rogers, 66, tried to reach his mother in the blaze but the spreading smoke was too thick for him to breathe. He narrowly escaped by jumping out of a window. Friends and neighbors mourned the loss of the community servant who was always thinking of ways to help others. Pat Payne, the IPS director of multicultural education who was close to Beckwith, remembered her as an individual who always stayed involved and put others first to the very end. “She was just an icon in the community,“said Payne in aseparate interview. “She drew her energy from helping others.” Brandon Perry, a staff writer with The Indianapolis Recorder, was scheduled to meet with her this week to discuss the life of her husband, prominent Indianapolis attorney Frank Beckwith. Historians recognize Beckwith as the first African American to mount a serious campaign for president in a party' primary. In I960 he ran as a “favorite son” in the Indiana Republican primary against then Vice President Richard Nixon. Nixon won the nomination, but Beckwith attracted over 20,000 voters, an amazing feat at a time when Black involvement in presidential politics was greatly discouraged. In 1964 Beckwith ran again as a moderate candidate for the Republican nomination eventually won by ultra-conservative senator Barry Goldwater. This campaign attracted considerable media attention, including an interview with CBS reporter Walter

Cronkite. But Bobbie Beckwith, who many agree would have made an excellent first lady, was always quick to point out that her husband’s involvementinthecommunity began way before the 1960s. Since the1930s he had been active in civil rights causes and helped Black World War II veterans find employment in the city’s bus system. When it came to community service however, Bobbie Beckwith was legendary in her own right* A retired IPS teacher who had educated kindergarten children for over 20 years, she spent much of her time mentoring students at Washington High School and volunteering at a child care center. Beckwith would also visit the Marion County Jail to minister to inmates who affectionately called her “Momma Beckwith.” Beckwith was a member of the board of thelndianapolis-Marion County Public Library, serving as its president from 1993 to 1994. In this position she worked to make libraries more assessable to the handicapped. She also served on the board ofMartin University and was later made a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov. Frank O’Bannon. “She was a great woman who had a tremendous capacity for kindness,” said Fred Taylor, a local historian who chronicles Black history in Indianapolis. Tuesday morning, faculty, students and friends ofBeckwith gathered at Martin University for a prayer service and sang the verses of “Sweet Low, Sweet Chariot.” “She loved us in the community and the community loved her. We will miss her very much,” Martin University President Boniface Hardin said during an interview with WTHR. “All I’ve been doing is talking to friends on the phone and comforting them. I guess I need a little comforting myself. But she’s in heaven, and that’s where we’re trying to get to.” Funeral arrangements are pending.

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Ltgcndary singers A let r a (left) and Virtue Hampton of The Hampton Sisters reflect on Coe's legacy during his funeral.

he even held a job as a U.S. Postal worker. In 1943 he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II where his love for music was bright even during the brink of war. He formed a band out of the Quarter Master Corps and played in New Guinea and the Philippines. Upon retuminghome, he began to venture out and train new talent as aprimaiy and secondaiyteacher. “Jimmy was one of my first instructors when I first started out He really had an influence on me,” said jazz saxophonist Jason Cuny. “It was good to see him, even at 80 yearsold, with his walker at someof my performances.” The International Association for Jazz Education honored him in

New York City early this year. Many entertainers and musical organizations including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, singer Natalie Cole, saxophonist Charlie Parker; Indiana’s own Freddie Hubbard, comedian Redd Foxx and many others graced his music. Asamemberofthe Association of SongWriters, Composers, Artists and Publishers and the American Federation ofMusicians Union, Local 3, he was able to exceed beyond the local level musically. He continues to be honored locally, as the Madam Walker Theatre, 617 Indiana Ave., will pay tribute to his legacy of music on March 5 at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $15 and an optional buffet will be $10 per person.

LUGAR ► Continued from Page 1 high school students, who’ve excelled in academics, leadership and service are selected for these top honors. This year’s Lugar Scholars were chosen from 94 applicants who were reduced to 20 semifinalists. A committee of former Lugar Scholars and board members of the Fund for Hoosier Excellence personally interviewed the semifinalists and chose this year’s 2004 Lugar Scholars.

The Lugar Scholars program is open to any African-American or Hispanic high school senior in Indiana who agrees to attend an Indiana college or university. Information about the program can be obtained from a student’s high school counselor or by writing the Fund for Hoosier Excellence, P.O. Box 97, Indianapolis, IN 46206-0097. fV ■

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24' 11 Annual Minority Business & Professional Aehievers Reeoiniition Awards Dinner

"Honoring EXCELLENCE.Jn Life's Work and Service to Community” Presented by National City Monday, March i$, 2004 Sagpmore Ballroom, Indiana Convention Center &RCA Dome Reception 5:30p.m. (cash bar) Dinner 6:30 p.m. $60 per person $600 per table (seatingfor 10) Reservation Deadline: Friday, March 12,2004

Tb purchase tickets or for additional information about the Minority Business & Professional Achievers Recognition Awards Dinner, please contact Judi Scott at CLD.

2004 Accomplished Achievement Award Recipient:

Dr. Everette J. Freeman, Senior Vice President and Provost, University of Indianapolis

2004 Mme. C.J. Walker (Outstanding Woman of the Tear) Award Recipient:

Alpha Blackburn, President At Chief Executive Officer, Blackburn Architects, Inc.

Award Categories Achievement in Arts/Music/Theatre Achievement in Business Achievement in Education *. • - . , 1 . / Achievement in Entrepreneurship Achievement ht Financial Services “Lis Daily”Achievement in Mass Media Achievement in Professions Achievement in Public Service Achievement in Science if Technical Disciplines Human Achievement Award Neighborhood & Community Service Award “Up and Coming” Award

The Center for Leadenhip Development (CLD) if a non-profit corporation with a twenty-seven year history of empowering Central Indiana African American and minority youth to achieve academic and career success. CLD provides enriching and effective youth development programs that instill principles, values and skills which prepare youth for coUege, profeuional careers and leadership in society.

Center for Leadership Development 3536 Washington Boulevard Indianapolis, IN 46203-3719 [317} 923-8111 lj>7l 9*3-8"* (f«) www.cldinc.org