Thomas Howard Ridley, Jr. was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, and is a noted expert on the rich history of the Indiana Avenue area. After moving away from the district for several decades, he now again lives a mere stone's throw from his beloved Madame C.J. Walker Theatre, where he works as a docent. Mr. Ridley has been interviewed often by journalists and local University professors, and loves nothing more than telling stories about the wonderful Indiana Avenue legacy.