Muncie Community Schools invites kids ages 5 and up and adults to play cricket from 6:30-8 p.m. on Mondays, starting April 15, at Northside Middle School, 2400 W. Bethel Ave.
Ernesto Polito grew up in Veracruz, Mexico, with dreams of starting a restaurant. On Friday, Jan. 19, he opened the doors to that dream — welcoming patrons to the Midnight Café & Grill, located on the western edge of the Village, a business district along University Avenue in Muncie.
Nonviolent activist Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” and that quote is driving a diverse group of car enthusiasts to rev up change in Muncie. The Game Changers are volunteers who support neighbors in need and host events to engage and uplift the community.
It was a blustery afternoon, but the sun was shining as Eric Ward meticulously painted a race car on the exterior of Tom Cherry Muffler on Eighth Street in Muncie. Ward’s truck was a mobile studio, overflowing with paint cans, airbrush nozzles and painter’s tape. His hands — rough and weathered — donned fingerless leather gloves stuffed with hand warmers.
As a child, Schaivon Nevings never got a balloon animal. Clowns scared him, but he longed for the twisted, colorful creations. Years later, he taught himself to shape more than 50 balloon objects to delight children and adults as the owner of BOB’s Balloons in Muncie.
Akilah Nosakhere has spent her life collaborating with inspiring individuals and organizations to advance her community and educational opportunities for all. And come March, after more than 30 years of library management and community service, Nosakhere will retire as director of Muncie Public Library.
Black Lives in Music found that white artists in the UK average about $300 more than Black creators, and 43% of Black female creators said they feel they need to change their appearance because of their race. Black artists reported being called “aggressive,” “too outspoken” and “ungrateful,” among other labels. A USC Annenberg study of 70 major music companies revealed that 4.2% of them were Black.
Dominic Bordenaro is the director of programs at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Muncie. Working with kids has become his life's work.
Since 2015, the 8twelve Coalition has worked alongside residents, businesses and nonprofits to improve the quality of life in the South Central and Thomas Park/Avondale neighborhoods. Coalition Coordinator Darbi Strahle said many of the coalition’s efforts start with meaningful conversations and relationships.In mid-November, neighbors gathered in the basement of Urban Light Community Church to discuss the following priorities: beautification, housing, business development and employment, wellness and education and family support.
In September 2023, Sasha Donati had an “awakening” moment when she felt called to open a restaurant in a vacant space at 3124 N. Granville Ave. Her family and friends rolled up their sleeves to transform the former hibachi spot into Muncie’s only West African restaurant.
Yvonne Thompson, executive director for the Muncie Human Rights Commission, talks about her role to promote equal opportunity and equal rights for all.
Ball State senior Hailey Hess talks about navigating college with an autoimmune disease.
Ball State students Patrick Phillips and Carter Jones discuss how music has created a meaningful community in Muncie.
Malia Sandberg and her family have became part of a network of neighbors working to fill the gaps and weave a web of security for the city’s most vulnerable. She is a proud South Central neighborhood resident.
The Muncie Maternal Health Coalition is dedicated to supporting postpartum parents and spreading awareness about maternal mortality and mental health issues during and after childbirth.
Growing up, Andy Ray didn’t have everything he wanted, but he had everything he needed. The Muncie native loved sports and camping. He was an average student who spent free time with friends. In high school, he began drinking at parties, but alcohol became a way to cope after his girlfriend and parents died within a few years of each other.
The Thomas Park/Avondale Neighborhood Association requested nearly $65,000 of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds to support the work of our city’s neighborhood associations.
The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine every season to prevent sickness and missing work and school. If you get the flu, the vaccine can make symptoms less severe and reduce the risk of hospitalization.
When students bow their heads and step onto mats for judo training at Muncie’s Ross Community Center, they learn far more than martial arts. Students gain discipline, self-confidence and strength along with social connection and problem-solving skills.
LGBTQ+ individuals in Muncie have found support and community at the Mark III Tap Room and through organizations like Muncie OUTreach, Muncie Pride Network and Spectrum. Each location or organization serves a distinct purpose, but advocates are working toward collaboration among them.
