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The Nature of Design

Wellness is not a design trend; it’s a way of life that has become integral to design. Creating comfortable, calm, and relaxing living spaces is becoming more and more desirable to homeowners, and the degree to which wellness elements are applied varies by room. “Whether it is a reading room, a workout space, or a […]

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Leaders and legacies: The rich history of those buried at Greenlawn Cemetery

In a nearly forgotten area along the banks of the White River in downtown Indianapolis lay buried gems of the past. These gems are the human remains of notable leaders who lived extraordinary lives, including the first Black landowner in Indiana — who is a woman, Muhammad Ali’s great-great grandfather, the first Black Grand Master […]

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Pulling up a chair with Deb Whitfield

Deb Whitfield, Lawrence Common Council Member At-Large, is running for Mayor of Lawrence. If elected, Whitfield will become the second Black female Mayor in state history. Whitfield became a Lawrence resident nearly thirty years ago when she and her late husband, former Olympic track and field star Ashland Whitfield, relocated to Indianapolis for his job […]

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Researching His Roots: Duane D. Perry, Sr. Leverages Genealogy to Uncover the Stories of His Family

Duane D. Perry, Sr. is a treasure hunter. The treasure he hunts for requires patience, curiosity, focus, resiliency, single-mindedness, and luck. The gems he finds are pieces of the past, and all share a common denominator: his DNA. Perry searches for his family, and a by-product of his efforts is enriching his life. Genealogy is […]

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The new force at Newfields: Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette

Arts and culture is a way to bring people together and after the scandal at the IMA in 2020, the organization clearly needed new leadership. They’ve found her. Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette was raised in a working-class family in an all-black neighborhood in Cleveland. Her grandmother was a strong influence in her life. Dr. Pierce […]

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Midwest Writer’s Conference Essay

The following essay earned an Honorable Mention at the Midwest Writer’s Conference this year! PROMPT: Between the ocean and the mountains is a wild forest. That is where I want to make my home. An Essay by Kara Kavensky kara@karakavensky.com In my earliest memory, I am held by my father. We stand beside my mom, […]

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The Ethics of Generative AI

Artificial intelligence is just that, “artificial.” And this two-word term is increasingly leaning towards oxymoron. Now there’s “generative artificial intelligence,” or gAI, which is booming amid the tech investment gloom and is simultaneously scaring the hell out of people.  New York Times tech columnist Kevin Roose had a 2-hour conversation with Microsoft’s new chatbot, during which […]

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Kathryn Haigh Takes the Reins at the Eiteljorg as First Female CEO

Kathryn Haigh’s earliest memories are of visits to the Cincinnati Art Museum. Her mom’s close friend was a docent there and Haigh recalls getting dressed up to tour the exhibits. These museum visits inspired Haigh to focus on fashion design at the University of Cincinnati. By the end of her sophomore year, Haigh discovered that […]

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Vulnerability and Its Boundaries — At Work

Thanks to Brené Brown, vulnerability has achieved mainstream acceptance. Her TEDx talk 12 years ago broke the barriers to embracing vulnerability as a strength. As a result, leadership and inner-office communications have opened up, welcoming much-needed discussions of mental health and more meaningful connections. As a corporate communications professional, I look for authentic stories to share […]

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Public Relations Outlook for 2023

One of the pioneers of public relations, Edward Bernays said, “The three main elements of public relations are practically as old as society: informing people, persuading people, or integrating people with people.” This last point of integration is the key for the future of public relations. In the early days, propaganda and ad slogans were […]

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