Marie Doris Jean (Horne) Finch — known simply as Ms. Finch, Ms. Marie, Doris Jean, or Aunt Doris — passed away peacefully at home on November 8, 2025, at the age of 89. With her passing, Evansville lost one of its most formidable community champions and most beloved neighborhood matriarchs.
Evansville gathered Friday for the 2025 Mayor’s Celebration of Human Rights Awards, hosted by the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Human Relations Commission. The evening at Old National Events Plaza honored local leaders and featured a keynote address by Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr., a nationally recognized scholar and public voice on democracy and race from Princeton University’s Department of African American Studies.
Roots 101 African American Museum CEO Lamont Collins energized the Evansville African American Museum on August 9, 2025, with a powerful presentation promoting unity, reflection, and a deeper understanding of Black history. Sponsored by All Saints Catholic Parish and Mt. Olive Galilee Church, the event drew over 50 attendees to hear Collins share the inspiring journey of Roots 101 and the significance of preserving African American heritage.
