Draft:Alpha Blackburn
Alpha Blackburn is an American former tv host, award-winning fashion and interior designer, and philanthropist.[1][2] She also served as the former President and CEO of Blackburn Architects.[1][3]
Early Life and education
[edit]Blackburn was born in Lynchburg, Virginia.[4] She took interest in fashion design in elementary school, because she saw it as a challenge few people where she grew up took on.[5] She received a scholarship to attend Howard University in Washington D. C. where she graduated cum laude with a B.A in Design and an M.F.A. in Painting and Art History.[1][4][6] She met her late husband, prominent architect from Indianapolis, Dr. Walter Scott Blackburn at Howard University.[4][6] At the end of Blackburn's sophomore year, Alpha and Walter were married by her husband's father, who was a minister.[4][6] After graduating from Howard, she settled with her husband in Indianapolis circa 1965 and continues to be active through philanthropy in the community.[1]
Career
[edit]Fashion
[edit]In 1965, Blackburn and her husband settled in Indianapolis, where she began her fashion career.[6] Blackburn was a fashion model for companies including L. S. Aryes.[7] She was honored as Fashion Designer of the Year at the Flamingo Club Easter Fashion Show in April of 1976.[8] Her designs were features in stores like L.S Aryes, Davidson's and Gabriella.[9]
Television and publishing
[edit]Blackburn hosted the WISH-TV show, Indy Today, in the 70s and interviewed notable celebrities.[10][11]
Architecture
[edit]Blackburn and her husband established an architecture firm, Blackburn Architects, Inc., and worked in tandem on several architecture projects.[5][12] This was the first architecture firm that was African American owned in Indianapolis.[13] She loaned her design talents with input on the interiors on their joint projects such as the Public School 39, 500 Place, and Grace Apostolic Church.[13] In the second year of the seven year project that was the National Underground Freedom Center, her husband passed away after a battle with cancer.[12] She decided to see the project through to its grand opening, in honor of her late husband.[6] She then later served as the Vice President of Blackburn Architects, Inc.[9]
Philanthropy
[edit]Blackburn established the Alpha and Walter Blackburn Scholarship Fund (AWBSF) in 2004, in memory of her late husband, Walter Blackburn.[4] Every year since 2005, she has hosted the Fashion Extravaganza, which is a fashion show that benefits AWBSF.[14] She later launched the Alpha Blackburn Scholarship of the Arts that would benefit young art students at the Herron School of Art and Design at IU Indianapolis.[4][15]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Moore, Diane (2022-07-23). "Alpha Blackburn Has Had a Lifelong Focus on Community". Indy Maven. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ "Faces of IUPUI: Alpha Blackburn". 50th Anniversary. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ ICRC (2021-03-16). "Alpha Blackburn honored for 25 years of service with State Civil Rights Commission". ICRC. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ a b c d e f Kurek, Mary (2019-08-08). "Philanthropist, Fashion, and Interior Designer Alpha Blackburn (US)". Frontrunners Development. Archived from the original on 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ a b "Indianapolis Recorder 14 April 2000 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ a b c d e Indiana Historical Society (2022-08-09). Indiana Historical Society: History: Living Legends 2022 - Alpha Blackburn. Retrieved 2024-07-31 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Indianapolis Recorder 29 September 1973 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Indianapolis Recorder 24 April 1976 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ a b "Indianapolis Recorder 14 April 2000 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
- ^ "Indianapolis Recorder 24 April 1976 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Indianapolis Recorder 10 November 1973 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ a b Junior Achievement (2021-09-03). JA 2019 Alpha Blackburn. Retrieved 2024-10-31 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Indianapolis Recorder 26 February 1994 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-31.
- ^ "Fashion show event helps Indy's youth further their education by providing scholarships". WRTV Indianapolis. 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ "Indianapolis philanthropist honored in Senate". The Statehouse File. 2023-03-31. Retrieved 2024-11-15.