Friendship bracelets symbolize long-lasting connections, and whether you’re a transplant, Indy lifer, or homecomer, Indy acts as a friendship bracelet. Connecting us to people, places, and experiences that allow you to create meaningful relationships and memories with the city. Each Wednesday, head to IndyHub’s blog page where you’ll hear from a duo on how Indy has played a role in bringing them together. And then it’s your turn, take to social media to share your Indy friendship stories by using #CampIndyHub.
There is a Spanish saying that goes “dime con quién andas y te diré quien eres” which translates to “tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” These words could not be truer than they are today. I strongly believe that the people you choose to surround yourself with speaks volumes to the person you are and the person you want to become. They reflect different characteristics of what you would like to bring into the world and the energies you want to invite. Alejandra, or Ale, and I met back in 2007 when she was attending high school at Ben Davis and I was attending high school at Pike. We both aspired to attend college and ultimately get our bachelor’s degree. We connected through the El Puente Project which created a platform for Latinx youth to connect to resources needed to access post-secondary education.
Indianapolis is definitely the city that brought us together 13 years ago. I moved to Indy from Milwaukee, WI in 2003 and although the transition was a bit weird at first, I quickly fell in love with what this beautiful city had to offer. We celebrate our friendship all throughout Indianapolis, but some of our favorite places include eating out somewhere in the International Marketplace and getting drinks at Mass Ave. We love the outdoors and have been enjoying bike rides on the Monon Trail or hidden neighborhood pathways when the weather allows. As we continue to move along in our careers we continue to look for new ways to lead in the community we call home and ensure that we are paving the way for future Latinas in Indianapolis.
Destiny made sure that our goals and interests solidified our friendship. Meeting Cari and the rest of our friends contributed significantly to my life. As an undocumented youth, it was important for me to have friends like Cari who supported me and celebrated my achievements. Coming to this country at a young age was scary, but I’m grateful and proud to call Indianapolis home.
As Cari mentioned earlier, “We celebrate our friendship all throughout Indianapolis”, not only in our personal and social lives but we like to think that our work (in each one of our fields) has positively contributed towards a better quality of life for our communities. For me, our friendship is more than physical places around the city. Our friendship is defined by the relationships we have made with other individuals in our communities. Nevertheless, the stories we have made when riding our bikes around the city, exploring different places to eat, or partying at each other’s houses are secret to me. One place that comes to my mind when talking about our friendship is definitely Marian University (before the new development). We attended many meetings there and have so many good memories (Rest in Power Sr. Norma. Thank you for everything you have done to support the Latinx community and all of Indianapolis. We will miss you!). Most recently and for some odd reason, we always end up at The Brass Ring Lounge in Foundation Square after enjoying dinner or drinks. Last winter/fall we also tried going to different coffee shops around the city at 7 am. Why? Because that was the only time our schedules would allow us to meet. We have enjoyed our catch up time at the Central State Mansion coffee shop, Tea’s Me Cafe, and others.
Of all my friends, I think Cari and I are the ones that enjoy Indianapolis the most. Our work has definitely helped us get to know the city better and we often suggest new places to explore around the city to our wonderful community of friends. I would also add that we don’t often go out of the 465 loop, the inner city is definitely where we feel at home.
Cari Morales: Native to the Midwest, Cari Morales was born in Milwaukee, WI from a Puerto Rican mother and a Nicaraguan father. She moved to Indianapolis, IN in 2003 and went to Indiana University to study policy analysis at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. After completing her undergraduate work she moved to Pinellas County, FL to organize communities of faith to do justice work and advance equitable public policy.
Currently, she is wrapping up her master’s in policy management through the National Urban Fellows (NUF) with an expected graduation date of August 30, 2020. She had the opportunity to complete a leadership mentorship through NUF at The Cleveland Foundation where she was able to research the health implications quality of air has on under-resourced and disinvested communities of color. Before going back to graduate school, Cari served Indianapolis as an Assistant Program Officer at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) connecting small business owners located in low income census tracts to grant dollars to improve the facade of their buildings. She also mentored with the Starfish Initiative and serves on the Mexican Scholarship Fund Board.
In her free time, Cari enjoys baking for loved ones, riding her bike to find hidden gems across Indianapolis and supporting local business. She lives with her big brother in the Warren Park Neighborhood on the east side and enjoys conversations that dismantle structural racism, empower people of color and celebrate community.
Alejandra Lagunas – Born in Mexico in 1989, Alejandra came to Indianapolis at the age of twelve where she attended Ben Davis High School. She graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and is currently pursuing her Master of Architecture at the same institution. As a landscape designer, she continues to develop knowledge around issues regarding community engagement, landscape design, and architecture. Her extensive involvement in the community brings a unique multi-disciplinary understanding of social issues, community development, urban development, and community quality of life needs. Her background and experience as a landscape architect designer extend to a broad array of project types such as parks, trails, streetscapes, urban revitalization plans, community design, and institutional site design. She considers herself a multi-faceted, passionate, and enthusiastic person.
In 2019, she became the Art Engagement Coordinator at Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. In her current role at KIB, she manages and coordinates the Indy Art & Seek program. The program was designed to give a voice in creating public art to all Indianapolis residents, particularly in neighborhoods that have traditionally been underserved in arts, culture, and green infrastructure. The goal for the project is to work with communities and neighborhood artists to create a total of 106 art installations across the City, tying it all together with an interactive cell-phone app.
Alejandra enjoys spending time with her family and friends and riding her bike while exploring Indianapolis. She recently purchased an old abandoned house in the Haughville neighborhood where she plans to move in by the end of this summer. Her closest friends call her the “Architist”, because, when she is not working, Alejandra enjoys being creative. She also enjoys fixing her house, working on personal projects that involve welding, fabrication, or public art installations.
