Why did you choose graduate school at IU Indianapolis?
I chose IU Indianapolis for my doctoral degree because I have stayed connected since completing my Master of Social Work here. I wanted an urban university, and I have high regard for many professors in the School of Liberal Arts and School of Social Work. A practical, social justice focused degree was imperative to my work with young people in Indianapolis where I am the Executive Director at Martin Luther King Community Center.
What has been your favorite academic accomplishment since you’ve been here?
Being accepted into the American Studies PhD program was a great honor. Since then, implementing community-engaged research principles into my ethnographic approach alongside my teenage co-researcher has greatly exceeded my expectations. I am excited to see what the future has in store for our research.
What do you enjoy most about life in Indianapolis?
I have lived in Indianapolis since I was eighteen years old and connected to my neighbors almost immediately. With approximately one million residents, it still feels like the small Illinois town I grew up in. I enjoy the opportunity to live in a diverse neighborhood where my neighbors shovel each other’s sidewalks and feed my cat when I’m away. I can stay connected with people who are working every day to ensure Indianapolis is a city that benefits all its residents.
Please provide some details about your work/research as a graduate student and/or any activities you are involved in.
My doctoral research, An Ethnographic Study of Black Teenagers, Gun Violence, and the Youth Control Complex in Indianapolis, expounded on my work over the past ten years as the Executive Director of Martin Luther King Community Center in the Butler- Tarkington Neighborhood. Me and my co-researcher, DeCaree Lewis, produced Talking Guns Project, a powerful short film that delves into the pervasive issue of youth gun violence in Indianapolis. DeCaree, a local teenager, directed the film to provide a platform for the voices of young people directly affected by this crisis.
Through candid interviews with ten teenagers who have been charged with gun-related offenses, the film explores the complex reasons why these teens carry firearms. It sheds light on the social, economic, and personal factors that contribute to their decisions, aiming to foster a deeper understanding and empathy within the community.
The documentary emphasizes the urgent need for community-driven solutions to address this public health crisis. By centering the experiences and perspectives of the teenagers, this film seeks to inspire meaningful dialogue and action towards saving lives.
Talking Guns Project has been selected into the 12th annual Ethnografilm festival in Paris, that screens films at the Club De L’Etoile in April 2025. According to the website, Ethnografilm celebrates the art and science of non-fiction filmmaking and promotes the field of video ethnography, serving as a showcase for work and forum for dialog between independent and academic documentary filmmakers. Marked by its contemporary relevance and broad intellectual range, the objective of Ethnografilm is to promote the examination of cultures as well as social issues, describing “patterns of living” throughout the world to educate and entertain. We revere the spirit of both academic and independent filmmakers whose exhibitions expand our knowledge and increase our understanding of the social world. The Ethnografilm festival is directed by Wesley Shrum, Professor of Sociology at Louisiana State University. Talking Guns Project can currently be viewed online.