Gary, Indiana has a storied, proud tradition of celebrating excellence on the court, on the field, on TV and on the stage. As a former Gary Roosevelt All-State basketball performer, I witnessed firsthand how deeply we value those who capture the public imagination. That recognition is well-deserved, but I couldn't shake a foundational, fundamental question: What about the rest of the story?
In every neighborhood in Gary, there are, and were, individuals destined for greatness in their professional and civic life without all of the fanfare. They are, in my opinion, the real celebrities; the architects, the scholars, the educators, and the innovators whose impact is foundational and enduring—a contribution that reaches far deeper than the fleeting visibility of the playing field.
The Gary Academy was founded to widen the aperture of how we define success in our city for those whose trajectories were forged in our streets and classrooms. By creating a rigorous, merit-based system to honor excellence in STEM, Jurisprudence, Education, and Philanthropy, we are not just handing out awards—we are sending a message to the next generation. We are showing them that while the applause for an athlete or entertainer may fade, the work of a builder, a teacher, or a jurist remains the bedrock of our society.
My Role
The GAPCL was founded to serve as a permanent mirror for our city—one that reflects the structural foundations of our community. My role is to hold the door open for these individuals, past and present, to be seen, recognized, and archived. The Academy does not belong to me; it belongs to the city, and to the history we are writing together.
Anthony Stewart