Partnership Aims To Preserve Indiana African American Sites

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A new partnership financed by memorial funds endowed by Eli Lilly and Co.'s first black chemist has set its sights on preserving some of Indiana's significant African American landmarks.

Standiford “Stan” Cox, who died in February 2019, worked for Indianapolis-based Lilly for 32 years in a variety of positions after becoming the drugmaker's first black chemist in 1957.

The Brazil, Indiana, native was a generous advocate for preserving African American heritage sites, and he established two funds with the Central Indiana Community Foundation — one in his name and one honoring his parents. Those funds are the basis with the foundation's new partnership with Indiana Landmarks that will provide grants to help preserve historic African American sites.

The statewide group will serve as a key preservation adviser to the funds while an Indiana Landmarks committee will identify significant places and evaluate projects the program could assist. The initial recommendations will be announced in late March, based in part on sites' architectural and/or historical significance, opportunities for redevelopment and the threat of demolition.

“Stan Cox has left an incredible legacy to the people of Indiana,” said Mark Dollase, Vice President of Preservation Services at Indiana Landmarks. “We are honored to work with the Central Indiana Community Foundation in a partnership that will aid in the restoration of important African American landmarks for years to come.”