Indianapolis-Commission chairperson Alpha Blackburn was honored recently for 25 years of service with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. The award was presented at the Commission’s monthly public meeting on March 23rd at the Indiana Government Center in Indianapolis.
“Alpha has been a pillar in the community for many years,” said Jamal Smith, Executive Director of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. “Her strong commitment to serving others is evident in her work both with the Commission and throughout the Hoosier state.”
First appointed by Governor Robert Orr in 1987, Blackburn has been an active commissioner over several administrations. Named chairperson in 1990, she has been reappointed to the Commission by governors Evan Bayh, Frank O’Bannon and most recently Mitch Daniels.
Blackburn is probably best known in the Indianapolis community as President and CEO of Blackburn Architects. Additionally, she is a national award-winning designer, a distinguished civic leader and former television talk show host. A successful Indiana businesswoman, Alpha has shown her dedication to the community by volunteering time and money to over sixty boards and committees.
Ms. Blackburn’s honors and accomplishments include being the recipient of the “Prodigy of Indianapolis” award for her outstanding commitment to nonprofit organizations and charitable causes. Further she was selected as one of five Indiana “Renaissance Women” by the Julian Center for Contributions to the Arts of Indiana.
Alpha is a double graduate of Washington, DC’s Howard University with a B.A. in Design and a M.F.A in Painting and Art History. In addition to leading the Indiana Civil Rights Commission and Blackburn Architects, she is a freelance interior, product and fashion designer. Alpha was the fashion editor of Indianapolis Monthly from 1980 to 1990 and hosted daily and weekly television talk shows in Indianapolis from 1972 to 1981.
The Indiana Civil Rights Commission enforces the Indiana civil rights laws and provides education and services to the public in an effort to ensure equal opportunity for all Hoosiers and visitors to the State of Indiana. For more information on the Indiana Civil Rights Commission visit: www.in.gov/icrc.