Indy Black-owned businesses, Indiana Avenue history shine at Madam Walker Legacy Fest

Even at 11 a.m., heat was already baking Indiana Avenue on Saturday. That didn’t stop the city from stirring for Madam Walker Legacy Center’s Legacy Fest Block Party. Music was playing, businesses were setting up and people were milling between booths as an organizer got on the microphone. “Well, well, well,” the organizer said. “Welcome to the third annual Legacy Fest!” Legacy Fest is the second half of a two-day celebration honoring the legacy of Madam C. J. Walker, the Madam Walker Legacy Center and National Black Music Month. Last night, vocal harmony group Boyz II Men performed for day one of the festivities. The celebration’s biggest artist, Boys II Men, played Friday night, but many local artists including Native Sun, Maxie from Naptown and Tony Styxx were set to play throughout the day.  More than 30 businesses and food trucks lined historic Indiana Avenue, selling everything from beauty products to barbeque.  DaShonda Patterson, 33, runs Different Day Baked Goods under a hot pink tent, selling everything from cookies to shortcakes. She came up with the name before she started baking because some days what she cooked came out better than other days, she said, laughing.  She found success in...