Mary Dicken was appointed Executive Director of the Broad Ripple Village Association (BRVA) in January. She recently discussed her prior background and future vision for the historic area.

"I most recently served at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center at 40th and Illinois Street as the Advocacy and Engagement Director doing community-based work, also serving as a board member with the Butler-Tarkington Neighborhood Association and Freewheelin' Community Bikes. Through those roles, I came to really love the Midtown area of Indianapolis. I am also a United Methodist minister and have served a number of congregations in Indianapolis and beyond," she explained.

A native Hoosier, she stepped away briefly from Indiana, but not for long. "I was born in Indianapolis and moved away as a child but returned here in 2019. All of my life has been in community-based settings, working with congregations and non-profit organizations and as a professional musician. It was wonderful to come back to Indy and rediscover the community I came from."

As she built her career over the years, a clarion call summoned her. "I heard about the BRVA (Executive Director) position last October from my aunt and uncle who are long-time Broad Ripple residents. They owned iDiz, which was located in Broad Ripple for years. They sold the business last year when they retired, but still reside here," she said.

BRVA's physical office on Broad Ripple Avenue closed last year, but they have a co-working space at The Library Cowork, which is located across the street from the Versa apartments. "I am happy to meet with people anywhere in the Village or at the co-working space at 6219 Guilford Avenue," she mentioned. She makes her calendar link available to the public to schedule time with her: www.calendly.com/marybrva.

For more information on the Broad Ripple Village Association, visit: www.BroadRippleIndy.org. According to their website, membership supports neighborhood beautification projects, monthly meet ups, community events like the annual Duck Race, +5k and Lights Up Festival, weekly farmers markets (outdoors on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to Noon at 6001 Rural Street near Lowes from May through October), maintenance of key public spaces plus Broad Ripple meetings and newsletters.

She has already discovered many rewarding aspects of her new position and appreciates the welcome she has received from people here. "In my initial meetings with people in the Village, I want to hear what they love about this place and what their hopes and dreams are for the future. My goal is to get to know them, hear their stories, and learn how they can be a part of strengthening this community," she noted.

As Mary Dicken's early life took her out of Indianapolis, her return here is more than a homecoming. Her background of community leadership can create a new era for citizens and commerce in Broad Ripple Village.