From Reconstruction to Representation: How Black Leaders Built Political Power in Evansville

Contributed By Melissa Duneghy

Editor’s Note:
The following article was contributed by Melissa Duneghy, president of the Indiana Democrat African American Caucus. It has been edited for clarity and length. As Evansville continues to reflect on its evolving political landscape, this piece provides historical context on the institutions and local leaders who helped shape Black political representation in Indiana and Southwest Indiana.

Prologue: A Seat at the Table

On January 1, 2024, Stephanie Terry made history as Evansville’s first Black mayor and first woman mayor, a milestone rooted in decades of civic participation and organizing. Her victory reflects a statewide trend. Indiana has seen a notable increase in Black leadership over the years marking a new era of political leadership.  Her achievement is part of a larger ecosystem of Black political power, shaped by community institutions, church leadership, civic networks, and statewide political structures. In Indiana, two forces anchor that work, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) and the Indiana Democrat African American Caucus (IDAAC).

Act I: The First Door Opens

The story of Black political representation in Indiana begins with James Sidney Hinton, who in 1881 became the first Black legislator in the Indiana General Assembly. A Civil War veteran, educator, and community leader, Hinton had already served as the first Black Hoosier to hold statewide office as trustee of the Wabash and Erie Canal. His work opened the door to political participation for Black Hoosiers.  Yet representation did not grow steadily after his election. Indiana saw long stretches without Black lawmakers, proving that progress must be continually protected and expanded.

Act II: Building the Ecosystem: IBLC and IDAAC

By 1979, Black legislators formed the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus to create a unified and coordinated voice on education, healthcare, economic mobility, and public safety. IBLC members became influential advocates for equitable statewide policy. The IBLC Education Foundation strengthened this work, supporting young Black leaders through scholarships, training, and civic development.

At the same time, the Indiana Democrat African American Caucus (IDAAC) ensured Black political participation within the Democratic Party. Through precinct education, candidate training, voter engagement, and statewide communications, IDAAC has built and maintained strong political pathways for Black Hoosiers. Together, IBLC and IDAAC form two essential parts of the political ecosystem, one shaping policy inside the Statehouse and the other mobilizing power outside it.

Act III: Evansville’s Chapter: Roots, Rooms, and Realities

Evansville’s Black political identity begins in Baptisttown, a historically Black neighborhood that thrived from the late 1800s through the mid-1900s. A new state historical marker acknowledges its cultural and civic contributions.

At the center of Evansville’s civic life is the C.K. Newsome Community Center, named for Dr. Cola K. Newsome, a respected physician, public servant, and the first Black member of the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Board. He served from 1964 to 1971 and played a vital role in the early planning of school desegregation. Dr. Newsome also served on the Evansville Housing Authority and the Public Recreation Commission, shaping equitable access to public resources. His work created a civic foundation that continues to strengthen organizations like IDAAC.

Evansville’s leadership history is also defined by Estella Moss, the first Black woman elected to countywide office when she became Vanderburgh County Recorder in 1976. She served on the City County Human Relations Commission, expanded opportunities for Black residents in civil service, and championed civic participation and nonviolence. Moss received honors such as the Torchbearer Award and the Sagamore of the Wabash. Her work parallels IDAAC’s commitment to community-centered leadership.

Another cornerstone of Evansville’s civic landscape is Sondra Matthews, journalist, publisher, and founder of Our Times, the tri-state’s only Black-owned newspaper for over 40 years. Matthews successfully advocated for the preservation of part of Lincoln Gardens, leading to the founding of the Evansville African American Museum, where she served as the founding president. She ensured that the stories and historical memory of Evansville’s Black community would be preserved for future generations. Her voice and advocacy continue to influence IDAAC’s modern work.

Together, Dr. Newsome, Estella Moss, and Sondra Matthews formed the civic backbone that makes Evansville IDAAC strong today. Their leadership created conditions that allow IDAAC to mobilize voters, host forums, challenge inequity, and center Black concerns in local political agendas.

The Fourth Ward has been the core of Evansville’s Black political presence. John Caldwell, elected in 1967, became the first Black City Council member, followed by leaders James Landers, Connie Robinson, and Alex Burton, who advanced Evansville’s interests at the state level.

Tanisha Carothers joined this legacy in November 2024, focusing on families and community development. She resigned in December 2025 to continue her advocacy outside of elected office.

The evolving story of the Fourth Ward reinforces the ongoing need to support emerging Black leaders in Evansville.

Act IV: The Work Inside and Out: Building Power at the Statehouse and in the Community

IBLC’s legacy includes statewide trailblazers such as Robert Brokenburr, the first Black state senator in 1941; Daisy Riley Lloyd, the first Black woman elected to the Indiana House in 1964; and Julia Carson and Katie Hall, the first Black women to serve in the Indiana Senate in 1977. Today, IBLC members continue leading on issues affecting Black Hoosiers in education, healthcare, economic development, and criminal justice reform, supported by the next generation through the IBLC Education Foundation. Beyond the Statehouse, IDAAC builds political power from the ground up through precinct organizing, candidate development, statewide strategy, and community-centered voter education. In Evansville, that work continues in churches, homes, neighborhood gatherings, forums, and community centers, helping ensure residents have the tools and access needed to shape policy and influence local governance.

The Stakes and What Comes Next

Like most cities, Evansville continues to navigate challenges in housing, environmental health, infrastructure, and public wellness. The Baptisttown marker serves as a reminder that today’s inequities have deep historic roots and require aligned action from community organizers, local leaders, NAACP Evansville Branch, IDAAC, and IBLC policymakers.  

The future of Black political leadership in Evansville will depend on continued civic participation, legislative advocacy, and community-based organizing — work that has defined Indiana’s progress for more than a century.

Melissa Duneghy is the president of the Indiana Democrat African American Caucus.