Recently, Mike Epps and his spouse, TV producer Kyra Epps, began renovating homes in the neighborhood where Epps grew up in Indianapolis. “Buying Back the Block,” an HGTV series that follows Epps and his wife Kyra as they buy a block in the Kennedy-King neighborhood, features their work.
“This was about holding onto legacy; this was about holding on to what we come from,” Epps told IndyStar.
The couple bought six homes in total, two of which were taken from Epps and his family when he was a small boy.
The pair started work on two properties for a period of 12 weeks after renovating their former firehouse on the street, which was also the home of Epps’ grandmother, Anna Walker.
“Indianapolis is home for me, and there’s nothing in the world like it. That’s why I’m buying back my block,” Epps expressed in a promotional video on Instagram.
“I bought my whole childhood block back—six homes that we actually got evicted from,” he added.
According to HGTV, the Epps intend to “revitalize the struggling neighborhood and bring back the charm, community, and character that Mike valued growing up.”
According to earlier IndyStar reporting, Epps grew up in the 1970s around the junction of Carrollton Avenue and 21st Street. The star of “The Upshaws” on Netflix emphasized how the streets and homes in the area have gotten worse over time.
His spouse, who oversees production for “Iyanla,” “Fix My Life,” and “The BET Social Awards,” said, “It’s amazing that we can provide a chance for individuals to return here.”
“Buying Back the Block” is an HGTV program that debuted on November 8 and is presently accessible on Max and Discovery+.