Muncie, Indiana has been the focus of countless social science studies, but the African-American population has consistently been disregarded. Community leaders are now researching their history to tell their story. As historical photographs are collected, I will expand the collection with picture essays that document the African-American experience in Muncie.

In the 1920s, sociologists Robert and Helen Lynd determined Muncie, Indiana to be an ideally typical American town. In Muncie, the "homogenous, native-born population" could be researched independently from the "small Negro and foreign-born population," which was discounted. The classic work, "Middletown," set the stage for many subsequent studies, but the separation of the African-American community has yet to be rectified.

One of the most prominent and prolific members of the community, retired state representative Hurley Goodall, is now working with anthropology professor Dr. Luke Eric Lassiter and Ball State University students to investigate the history and document the current conditions of the African-American community. The findings will be published as a book entitled "The Other Side of Middletown," modeled after the original study by the Lynds.

In conjunction with this project, I will produce a series of picture essays that focus on the book's six areas of study: education, leisure, family, religion, business, and community activities. I am currently working with community advisors to find stories that are significant to the community. I have already started essays based on their advice.

When black women were not allowed into mainstream beauty pageants, Ball State University students created the Miss Unity competition. I am nearly finished with an essay focusing on this year's pageant. The high school basketball team has won several state championships, was depicted in the movie "Hoosiers" and is a major unifying force in the community. I am working on an essay about two brothers that play on the team together. Morticians and barbers have historically been leaders in the community since their businesses exist outside of white influence. I plan on documenting the lives of Ed Faulkner, a prominent mortician, and Delores Rhinehart, a beautician kept out of retirement by loyal clientele. Several people have pointed out the significance of single parents. I plan to focus on Daedra Pryor, a single mother who is working and returning to school with the intention of opening a clinic for single mothers. Through these beginnings and further interviews, I will develop further story ideas. Upon completion of the project, the images will be presented to the community as well as offered for inclusion in "The Other Side of Middletown" along with historical photographs.