Evansville’s Legacy Lives On, Echoing Through Generations

We are proud to announce that the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission will launch the Downtown Black History Month Banner Project. This is the first year for this project in Evansville, and it will be an annual project for the City of Evansville.

Now, each year, we will continue building on this legacy by:

·   Seeking New Stories: Inviting the community to nominate individuals whose leadership, resilience, and service have made a lasting impact.

·   Creating New Banners: Adding up to 10 new honorees annually, so the display grows to reflect the breadth and richness of Evansville’s Black history.

Submit Your Nomination

Do you know someone whose story deserves to be recognized? We want to hear from you! The nomination process for 2026 will open on December 17, 2025, and close on January 15, 2026. Honorees and/or their nominator will be notified no later than January 20, 2026.

We’re looking for individuals who:

·   Have made significant contributions to Evansville’s Black community.

·   Represent values of leadership, resilience, and service

Click HERE to learn more about eligibility and submit your nomination.

Selection Process

The Human Relations Commission is committed to recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to Evansville’s Black community. To ensure a fair and thoughtful selection, we have established the following process for choosing honorees for the Downtown Black History Month banners:

Open Nominations

All nominations submitted by the public will be carefully reviewed. The Commission encourages nominations for individuals who have shown leadership, dedication, and a lasting positive impact on our community.

Selection Committee

A diverse selection committee has been formed to review the nominations. This committee will consist of community leaders, educators, and other individuals who represent Evansville’s values and history. Below are the members of the committee for the 2026-2027 cycle:

·       Dr. Trinisia Brooks, Culturally Responsive-Trauma Informed Practitioner, member of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission

·       Dr. Marjorie Cabell, Dentist, member of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission

·       Dr. James MacLeod, History Professor/Chair, Southwestern Indiana Historical Society

·       Watez Phelps, Adjunct Professor, member of the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission

·       Stan Schmitt, Willard Library, Vanderburgh County Historian

Use of Rubric

The committee will utilize a detailed rubric to evaluate the nominations. This rubric will assess criteria such as:

    ·    The nominee's contributions to the community.

    ·    Their positive impact on Evansville.

    ·    Their legacy and influence in shaping the city’s history. 

Annual Selection

Each year, the committee will select up to 10 new honorees to be featured on the Downtown Black History Month banners. This will be an ongoing effort to celebrate and recognize the continued contributions of individuals in our community.

Get Involved

This project is only possible with the support of our community. Please help us celebrate our history and make it accessible for future generations. Whether you submit a nomination or share this initiative, your participation matters.

Together, we celebrate Evansville’s rich heritage and the people who shaped it.