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travel u + b lady boss A Netflix show and new visitor experiences in Indianapolis offer a fresh look at a trailblazing th-century entrepreneur. Octavia Spencer plays Madam C.J. Walker (left) in the Netflix miniseries Self Made, released in March. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE daily pass by America’s first self-made female millionaire was born Indianapolis’ Madam Walker Legacy in on a Louisiana plantation, with the given name Center without thinking about the name scrawled across Sarah Breedlove. By the late s, she was a single mom, the iconic Indy building. The Art Deco landmark built in dreaming of a better life. She had a wealth of manual labor pays tribute to Madam C.J. Walker, one of America’s experience, but slim chance of getting ahead, given her lack greatest entrepreneurs and social activists. A new Netflix of education, money and connections. So she leaned into miniseries, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam work ethic, charisma and her talent for self-promotion. C.J. Walker, tells her full story, based on a biography by Her golden idea behind Madam C.J. Walker Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles. Manufacturing Company stemmed from a universal In Self Made, Academy Award-winning actress Octavia problem for black women: hair loss. No one cared about Spencer portrays this daughter of freed slaves and her it in the early s, until she filled the void with her struggle against racism, sexism and poverty. In spite of it products, branded under her new married name. all, Walker launched a multimillion dollar beauty-products In Walker’s words: “I got my start by giving myself a empire in Indianapolis. She chose her location in after start.” It’s a message that still resonates with dreamers, recognizing Indy’s lively black business community. entrepreneurs and social activists of every generation. Visit MADAM WALKER Visit INDIANA Take a close look at the At LOUVINO, a small-plate where to find LEGACY CENTER, where a HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S giant Walker portrait in the eatery on Massachusetts face-lift is underway at You Are There lobby of THE ALEXANDER Avenue, a signature madam walker the complex that exhibit to learn how hotel. Sculptor Sonya wine flight bears Walker’s Catch a show or exhibit housed Walker’s factory Walker brought financial Clark crafted it from name. The trio of whites on a trip to Indy— and national headquarters. independence to , combs. At the hotel includes an Oregon or toast her legacy with A theater inside has staged thousands of women and bar, order an On My Own blend, plus a French a namesake drink. famous performers of leveraged her wealth to Ground, a citrusy cocktail Gewürztraminer and Côtes color for almost a century. promote social justice. inspired by Walker’s story. du Rhône Blanc. PHOTOGRAPHS: OCTAVIA SPENCER COURTESY OF NETFLIX, WALKER PORTRAIT MICHAEL OCHSGETTY IMAGES Bonus content for select readers in ILLINOIS INDIANA MICHIGAN MINNESOTA WISCONSIN O&A 10 MWL MJ WRITER CRYSTAL HAMMON.