Broad Ripple Alum Returns to Empower Young Writers Through Storytelling and Mentorship

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) graduate Arriel Vinson is proving that stories born in the city’s classrooms can reach far beyond their walls.

Her debut novel, Under the Neon Lights, captures the lives of young Black girls seeking love, freedom, and identity—echoing the neighborhoods, skating rinks, and experiences that shaped her own IPS journey.

A proud alumna of Meredith Nicholson School 96, Shortridge Middle School, and Broad Ripple Magnet High School, where she graduated salutatorian in 2013, Vinson, a Reese’s Book Club LitUp Fellow, writes stories about what it means to be young, Black, and searching for freedom.

Arriel Vinson with Broad Ripple Rocket back in high school.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Apparel Merchandising from Indiana University-Bloomington, where she was active in the Women of Color Leadership Institute, Epiphany Modeling Troupe, and the National Association of Black Journalists. She later earned her master’s degree in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College, and her writing has been featured in Kweli Journal, The Rumpus, and Waxwing.

Now, Vinson has returned home to uplift today’s IPS students while celebrating her literary success.

“When I was growing up, there weren’t many books with girls who looked like me,” she said. “I was the daughter of a single parent who also, until recently, was an IPS educator. I lived and breathed Indianapolis growing up. Now, if I have the talent and dedication to write stories, I want them to be for girls who are looking for themselves in the media.”

Vinson spends her days writing—and a few afternoons each week at Arsenal Technical High School’s Writing Center, guiding students through essays, poetry, and college applications.

“It’s so rewarding to help students find their voice,” she said. “Watching them go from ‘I can’t do this’ to realizing, ‘Oh, I actually enjoy writing,’ reminds me why this work matters.”

Vinson’s impact at Arsenal Technical High School goes far beyond her writing credentials — she’s a mentor, motivator, and model of creative excellence, said Mather, a writing specialist at the school.

“Arriel engages with each student she works with, making them feel comfortable before they write a single word,” Mather said. “She asks thoughtful questions, helps students focus their ideas, and provides honest feedback that empowers them to express themselves clearly and confidently.”

Mather believes Vinson’s approach to teaching reflects the same warmth and authenticity found in her writing.

”Whether she’s tutoring students through college essays in the writing center or leading poetry workshops for seniors, her generosity with time and talent inspires everyone she meets. ”

Mather says Vinson’s presence reminds students that their voices matter — and that they, too, can become published authors one day.

Carrie Gaffney, also a writing specialist at Arsenal Tech, believes Vinson’s talents make her a strong addition to the program.

“Arriel's enthusiasm for students, coupled with her expertise as a writer, makes her a favorite at ATHS,” Gaffney said. “We are incredibly grateful that she has chosen to share her talents here. “

In her role at Arsenal Tech, Vinson is impressed by how IPS continues to evolve, offering dual-credit courses, early college programs, and career pathways that didn’t exist when she was a student.

“It’s exciting to see so many routes to success,” she added. “The students now have so many options as they are seeking their pathway to success. It’s fun to assist as they write their college application letters after they’ve been through the programs here.”

Vinson’s passion for reading also traces back to IPS libraries and the Indianapolis Public Library, where she spent countless hours exploring stories and later worked as a page shelving books after school at the Glendale branch.

“Libraries were safe spaces,” she said. “They gave me access to worlds I couldn’t afford to see otherwise.”

Her next novel, set once again in Indianapolis, centers on a high school dancer navigating grief and ambition. Through both her words and her mentorship, Vinson is helping IPS students imagine themselves not just as readers, but as the next generation of storytellers.

“Education is one of the most valuable things you can have,” Vinson reminds her students. “Pay attention to what you love, use your voice, and never stop learning.”

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