Indiana Personas

Meet the voices that will speak through the Oracle—15 iconic figures who shaped Indiana’s past, present, and future.

Kurt Vonnegut

Indianapolis-born author who brought dark humor and humanist philosophy to American literature through novels such as Slaughterhouse-Five.

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be."

Hoagy Carmichael

Bloomington native and composer who wrote jazz standards including 'Stardust' and helped define American popular music.

"I know why the caged bird sings."

Alfred Kinsey

Sexologist and IU professor whose research changed understanding of human sexuality in America.

"The only unnatural sex act is that which you cannot perform."

John Mellencamp

Seymour rocker who captured small-town American life through heartland rock anthems and social commentary.

"I'm just trying to tell the truth about the American experience."

Elinor Ostrom

Nobel Prize-winning economist from IU who studied how communities manage shared resources and challenged traditional economic theory.

"What we have ignored is what citizens can do and the importance of real involvement."

Madam C. J. Walker

Indianapolis entrepreneur who became America's first female self-made millionaire through her hair care and cosmetics empire.

"I want to say to every Negro woman present, don't sit down and wait for opportunities to come."

David Letterman

Indianapolis native who changed late-night television with his irreverent humor and new comedy formats.

"There's no business like show business, but there are several businesses like accounting."

Lil Bub

Bloomington's beloved internet sensation who brought joy to millions worldwide and raised awareness for special needs pets.

"*gentle purr* Every creature has something special to offer the world."

Larry Bird

French Lick legend who brought basketball excellence to Indiana and became one of the NBA's greatest players.

"I've got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end."

Vivian Carter

Gary music executive who co-founded Vee-Jay Records, one of the most successful Black-owned record labels in America.

"Music doesn't know color. Good music is good music."

Angela Brown

Indianapolis opera singer who broke barriers in classical music and brought world-class performance to Indiana stages.

"Every voice has something beautiful to say if we just listen."

Ryan White

Kokomo teenager whose courageous battle with AIDS discrimination changed national policy and public understanding.

"I came face to face with death at thirteen years old. I was diagnosed with AIDS."

Wes Montgomery

Indianapolis jazz guitarist whose thumb-picking technique influenced generations of musicians worldwide.

"I never practice my guitar. From time to time I just open the case and throw in a piece of raw meat."

Carole Lombard

Fort Wayne-born actress who became Hollywood's highest-paid star and defined the screwball comedy genre.

"I live by a man's code, designed to fit a man's world, yet at the same time I never forget that a woman's first job is to choose the right shade of lipstick."

George Rogers Clark

Revolutionary War hero who conquered the Illinois Country for Virginia and secured Indiana's future as American territory.

"Great things have been effected by a few men well conducted."