Jerry Harkness was the first African American sportscaster in Indiana at WTHR, Indianapolis. He was a two-time All American at Loyola of Chicago and played professionally for the NBA New York Knicks and ABA Indiana Pacers. Harkness was the first black spokesperson for Quaker Oats and the Indianapolis United Way. As a social activist, he helped found the 100 Black Men mentoring organization. He died August 24, 2021, in Indianapolis.