Local Mover and Shaker: Alpha Coles Blackburn

Alpha Coles Blackburn grew up in Lynchburg, VA. Blackburn received a degree in painting and sculpture at Howard University.

The award winning fashion designer and model hosted a local talk show in the 70's. Blackburn was once the fashion editor for Indianapolis Monthly. She's also designed uniforms for both the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts. A fun fact: in 2005, Indianapolis Monthly reported the entrepreneur had over 200 pairs of shoes...think of the shoe porn!

Blackburn is now the president and CEO of Blackburn Architects; which gained national press from overseeing the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center project in Cincinnati, OH. The civic leader and humanitarian sits on more than 60 boards and councils throughout the city of Indianapolis including Indiana University/Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI), the Indianapolis Museum of Art and the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commision.

The city of Richmond penned February 27, 2001 as Alpha Blackburn Day.