By Brooklynn Ferrell, BUPD 2028

This past summer, I was fortunate to hold a 12-week internship with the Indiana Landmarks Black Heritage Preservation Program. This experience was as inspiring as it was unforgettable. 

Summer kicked off with the Juneteenth Jubilee celebration at Indiana Landmarks, where I had the chance to help bring an incredible day of music, culture, and history to life. I also supported the Resilience in Indiana program, featuring amazing panelists and speakers who shared powerful stories of perseverance and heritage. 

One of my favorite moments was helping curate an Oral History Harvest for the Martindale community. We collected and preserved voices that have shaped the neighborhood’s story for generations. That work flowed right into assisting with the planning of a community engagement meeting designed to get Martindale recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, a step toward honoring and protecting its legacy. The Historic Preservation office at the DNR assisted in this effort, in particular historian Anthony Colney and consultant specialist Kurt Garner.

I also had the joy of embracing global culture by organizing a celebration featuring a vibrant Ethiopian performance called AWAD. It was a beautiful reminder of how music, dance, and shared traditions can connect communities across borders. To know your heritage and the people who embrace you is so important. 

Beyond events, my summer was filled with learning. I had the privilege of job shadowing with Meticulous Design + Architecture (MD+A), Browning Day, arcDESIGN, V3 Companies, and The Nature Conservancy. Each team gave me a new perspective on the innovative, impactful work happening not just in Indiana, but around the world. 

Closer to home, I helped with the Next Great Architects Camp alongside Kionna Louise Walker, AIA, NOMA. Together, we guided middle and high school students as they reimagined Indiana Avenue, proving that the next generation has bold, brilliant ideas for our communities. 

To round it all out, I explored the fascinating story of the Henry Street Bridge project and the preservation work at Greenlawn Cemetery. It was a deep dive into how history, architecture, and community remembrance intersect in meaningful ways. 

This summer was about more than projects; it was about connection, creativity, and the power of preserving stories. I’m grateful for every conversation, every handshake, and every moment that made these twelve weeks so special. Here’s to keeping the work and the joy going! 

Brooklynn Ferrell is a Whitinger Scholar and a sophomore majoring in urban planning.