Leadership & Legacy Campus
The Home of our Intergenerational programs
A community linchpin and example of neighborhood renewal, the 13-acre Campus is home to Edna Martin Christian Center’s (EMCC) intergenerational programming—school-aged youth, preschool, and Senior Angels. The Campus development is part of the 25th Street Corridor Renaissance Project.
The 24,000 square-foot building on Ralston was once used to recycle oil and treat wastewater. It used to be a symbol of job flight, changing economies, and pollution, but now, it is the Leadership & Legacy Campus, and it welcomes hundreds of kids and seniors every weekday.
GOALS:
- Support the MBEZ with high-quality preschool, School-aged academic enrichment, character/leadership training, and the creation of a community high school
- Support the MBFRN with affordable produce, and opportunities to learn about growing, handling, selling & preparing fresh produce
- Support the CSEC with youth entrepreneurship maker-space and programming, and farm-related entrepreneurial opportunities
HISTORY
1930s-1990s
The site was used for bulk-oil storage and distribution operations. Mobil Oil was the first was the first owner, then Tri-Country Petroleum, and finally Sandy Port Properties acquired the site and used it to process and treat wastewater and used oil
1950s
Douglass Little League the nations oldest continuously operating African-American Little League played ball on the southwest corner of the property of the property. Douglas Little League moved from the site in the 1990s, relocating to Oscar Charleston, near 28th & Keystone.
Factoid: L.S. Ayers department store used the northernmost building as a production-display facility until about 1996.
2000
The site was acquired by East 91st Street Christian Church, which used it to start Jireh Sports, a non traditional sports ministry (primarily gymnastics) for children in the neighborhood. Jireh began operating independently after a few years, and came under the auspices of Shepherd Community Center in 2008. Jireh ceased operations in 2014.


2015-Present
EMCC acquired the property in 2015 for use as an intergenerational space for youth and senior programming. In 2016, the EPA completed a major clean-up of lead- and petroleum-contaminated soil, replacing over 14M pounds of soil. In 2017, Edna Martin’s youth programs began operating at this second campus, christened “Leadership & Legacy Academy.”
After two capital campaigns, campus renovations were finally completed in 2021, including programming space for preschool, school-aged youth, seniors, and entrepreneurs; the first high school in the neighborhood’s history (KIPP Indy Legacy High School); administrative offices, a recording studio, urban farm & garden areas; a meditation/prayer labyrinth; and expanded playground and sports amenities.