The Campus : Building and Location Namesakes

Blackburn House

Campus Apartments on the River Walk

Cleo W. Blackburn (1909 - 1978) was educated at the Butler University School of Religion and Fisk University. Returning to Indianapolis, he became the director of Flanner House, located at West and St. Clair Streets. Flanner House primarily supported the African American community. providing education, job training and homes to needy families and making an immeasurable impact on the local community. Under his leadership social services provided to African Americans improved dramatically in Indianapolis. He received numerous honorary doctorates and was an influential leader for many organizations. Blackburn was Superintendent of Flanner House from 1936 until 1975.