Adelle Stokes, 2026 Mayor's Community Service Award!

Adelle Stokes honored with the 2026 Mayor’s Community Service Award!

For over 30 years, the City of Indianapolis has awarded a handful of community residents who “dedicate their time and talents to improving the lives of their neighbors.” Numerous community members across a variety of fields are nominated for this annual award, with the President’s Roundtable leading the selection process.

Awardees are not only honored at a ceremony but also have their names etched on individual bricks placed on the Indianapolis Canal Walk at the Mayor’s Volunteer Plaza, commemorating their contributions as a permanent part of the Indianapolis infrastructure.

This year, DIP-IN Near Northwest (NNW)Steering Committee member Adelle Stokes was one of the honored recipients. In addition to her dedicated service on the NNW Steering Committee, Adelle has made many other civic contributions, including serving on the Riverside Civic League and Central Canal Committee and as a board member of the Lilian Davis Foundation.

Additionally, Adelle co-founded the social biking club Riverside Riders in 2017 alongside NNW Steering Committee member Pam Hardy. Riverside Riders, which has received multiple rounds of funding from DIP-IN, strives to make biking accessible to all, including those living in the NNW Community.  

Adelle is the second member of the DIP-IN Team to receive the Mayor’s Community Service Award. Former NNW Neighborhood Community Health Worker and current NNW Project Manager, Ron Rice, was honored with the award in December 2022.

Congratulations, Adelle!

Submitted by Ron Rice,

Director of Veteran Services