Gary’s new mayor makes history—and plans to revitalize the city

Gary’s new mayor makes history—and plans to revitalize the city
Karen Freeman-Wilson is Indiana's first African-American female mayor and Gary’s first female mayor. AP/Stephanie Dowell
Gary’s new mayor makes history—and plans to revitalize the city
Karen Freeman-Wilson is Indiana's first African-American female mayor and Gary’s first female mayor. AP/Stephanie Dowell

Gary’s new mayor makes history—and plans to revitalize the city

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Karen Freeman-Wilson won the race for mayor of Gary, Indiana back in November; in the process, she made history. Freeman-Wilson is the state’s first African-American female mayor and Gary’s first female mayor.

Freeman-Wilson was born and raised in Gary and attended Harvard Law School. Her hometown faces big struggles, from high unemployment to chronic crime, but Freeman-Wilson said she has a plan: It is called Blueprint for Rebuilding Gary.

Her ambitions include bringing new business to the area, creating jobs and improving the city’s infrastructure. However, her biggest challenge will be getting citizens to have hope in their city.

Mayor-elect Freeman-Wilson joined Eight Forty-Eight to talk about what she hoped to accomplish and how she planned to do it. She will officially be sworn into office on Dec. 31.

Music Button: Louis Armstrong and the All Stars, “Back Home Again In Indiana”, from the album The California Concerts, (Decca)