Dierre Hartman

March 23, 2026 Local resident Jamaal Shabazz visited Ujamaa Community Bookstore on the city’s west side Thursday, March 19, 2026. Dierre Hartman / WFYI The third annual Indy Indie Book Crawl, an event showcasing local bookstores in Indianapolis, happened this weekend. Thirty-six bookstores participated across the city. Visitors got a special bookmark stamped by each store, which served as entries into a grand prize drawing. There was also a scavenger hunt with its own prizes.

Originally published by Open Campus. In a few days, voters will decide who becomes the nation’s next president. There’s been much speculation about whether Vice President Kamala Harris’ identity as a Howard University alumna will result in support at the polls from students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Both Harris and her opponent, former President Donald Trump, have publicly pledged their support of HBCUs and hope these students will turn out for them on Nov. 5.

Dedric Hayes, a junior tuba player at Southern University, always knew he wanted to attend an HBCU. Growing up in a family steeped in Southern University tradition, the school’s band — known for its thunderous brass and dynamic sound — played a significant part in his decision. “Both my parents attended Southern University, so I always had a leaning towards Southern … I always loved it down here,” he said.