GANGGANG's Expansion Plans for 2025 to Foster Cultural Equity and Highlight Black Artistry in Indianapolis

GANGGANG, an Indianapolis-based cultural development firm, is set to expand its impact in 2025 through a series of initiatives aimed at promoting artists of color and fostering cultural equity. Since its founding in 2020 by Alan Bacon and Malina "Mali" Simone Jeffers, GANGGANG has significantly contributed to Indianapolis's creative economy, generating over $9 million and impacting it by more than $13 million.

In February 2025, during their inaugural 'State of The Culture' event, GANGGANG outlined several upcoming projects designed to support artists and attract national attention. These initiatives include significant public art projects, the return of the Blackjoy festival, and the launch of the "I Made Rock 'N' Roll" campaign—a public advocacy effort focusing on the origins of rock and roll, culminating in a one-day Black rock music festival.

The "I Made Rock 'N' Roll" campaign, initially launched in 2024, aims to educate the public about the Black origins of rock and roll. The inaugural festival featured performances by artists such as Janelle Monáe and Gary Clark Jr., drawing thousands of attendees. GANGGANG has announced that the festival will take a gap year and return in 2026, with plans to develop the campaign into a year-round concert experience.

Additionally, GANGGANG is collaborating with the city of Westfield to educate the public about the city's racial history and is planning public art installations in Plainfield. These projects align with the organization's mission to produce, promote, and preserve culture by hiring and supporting artists of color.

During the 'State of The Culture' event, Mali Bacon, co-founder and creative director of GANGGANG, emphasized the organization's commitment to cultural equity:

"Over $9 million generated and over $13 million overall impact on the creative economy primarily here in central Indiana."

She also highlighted the importance of infrastructure in supporting culture:

"We are here to remind places and people of who they are. Cities rely on culture, and so it requires and it deserves infrastructure."

Since its inception, GANGGANG has hosted several events to uplift and support more than 1,000 Black artists in the community. The BUTTER Fine Arts Fair, the group's most notable event, has sold more than $900,000 in artists’ work since it started.

In May 2024, GANGGANG launched the inaugural "I Made Rock 'N' Roll" festival, a one-day music festival celebrating the origins of the rock genre. The event featured performances by artists such as Janelle Monáe and Gary Clark Jr., drawing thousands of attendees.

GANGGANG's initiatives have significantly contributed to the cultural and economic landscape of Indianapolis. By generating over $9 million for the local creative economy and impacting it by more than $13 million, the organization has provided substantial support to artists and entrepreneurs of color. This financial infusion not only empowers individual artists but also enriches the broader community by fostering a more inclusive and vibrant cultural scene.

The "I Made Rock 'N' Roll" campaign is particularly noteworthy for its focus on acknowledging and celebrating the Black origins of rock and roll. By organizing a one-day Black rock music festival, GANGGANG aims to educate the public and honor the contributions of Black artists to the genre. This initiative addresses historical erasure and promotes cultural equity, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Black artistry.

As GANGGANG continues to expand its initiatives in 2025, the organization remains committed to its mission of producing, promoting, and preserving culture by hiring and supporting artists of color. Through public art projects, festivals, and advocacy campaigns, GANGGANG is fostering a more inclusive and vibrant arts scene in Indianapolis, contributing to the city's cultural renaissance.