INDIANAPOLIS — A portion of Indiana Avenue will now be known as Madam C.J. Walker Memorial Way.
The dedication and celebration happened Friday evening at the Walker Theatre.
It was followed by an open house, giving the community the opportunity to explore the theatre and learn about it.
Walker’s great-great granddaughter, A'Lelia Bundles, was the special guest.
The journey to get to Friday’s memorial street dedication was a yearlong process, according to Kristian Little Stricklen, president of the Madam Walker Legacy Center.
“All of our neighbors had to sign and support,” Stricklen said. “So it’s a beautiful thing to know that it’s not just something we think is important, but from a community perspective, our neighbors know it is just as important.”
Stricklen said the legacy center will turn 100 years old in 2027, so the organization released a four-year strategic plan. It calls for new programing and building upgrades, including a new sign.
“Some of what we are doing here today, as far as uplifting her legacy with this designation, creation of our endowment, continuing to be financial sustainable,” Stricklen said. “We want to remain 100% debt-free.”