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Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Indianapolis promoter Amp Harris strives to make an impact in community
Amp Harris talks through security Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Local promoter and athlete consultant Amp Harris with Indianapolis Colts legends Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Indianapolis-based promoter and athlete consultant Amp Harris and former Indiana Pacers guard Reggie Miller embrace at a Pacers game. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Amp Harris is a local athlete consultant and promoter. He has curated events for a long list of athletes and entertainers, including Reggie Miller, Michael Jordan, Egerrin James, Mike Epps and Martin Lawrence. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Local promoter and athlete consultant Amp Harris and his 93-year-old mother Geneva. Amp credits his mom's faith for helping him process his brother's death. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris laughs as he walks through security Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris answers a phone call Monday, July 14, 2025, as he talks security ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris talks security Monday, July 14, 2025, with Claudette Peterson, owner of Circle City Security Co., ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Reggie Miller (left), Jalen Rose, Amp Harris and Reggie Wayne pose for a photo during halftime of Game 6 between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 31. Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images Courtesy Of Amp Harris Grace Hollars/IndyStar "Saving Our Youth" Celebrity Basketball Game was hosted by Amp Harris and Reggie Wayne featuring T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers, Robert Mathis, Jacoby Brissett, Ron Harper and others at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, July 20, 2019. Saving Our Youth Celebrity Basketball Game was hosted by Amp Harris and Reggie Wayne featuring T.Y. Hilton, Chester Rogers, Robert Mathis, Jacoby Brissett, Ron Harper and others at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, July 20, 2019. Grace Hollars/IndyStar Entertainment promoter and Indiana Black Expo organizer Amp Harris is photographed at Carroll Stadium, the site of the 2024 Black Expo Outdoor Concert on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, on the IUPUI Campus in Indianapolis. Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar Local promoter and athlete consultant Amp Harris and his daughter Rachel at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Courtesy Of Amp Harris Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris laughs as he walks through security Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris talks about preparation Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Amp Harris walks through security Monday, July 14, 2025, ahead of the Indiana Black Expo to be held at Indiana University's Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium in Indianapolis. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
He's friends to Indy's biggest stars. Behind Amp Harris' infectious smile is a pain that drives him to impact community
INDIANAPOLIS – Two Big Macs, a large fry and a large strawberry shake. That was Reggie Miller's order from the McDonald's on 38th and Illinois. On the nights when a young Miller would go out during his first few years in Indiana, local promoter Anthony 'Amp' Harris drove the Pacers legend in a Isuzu I-Mark to the fast food chain at 3 a.m. 'His long ass legs in a little bitty ass car,' Harris said with a laugh. 'I would ask him, 'What the heck are you eating that crap for?' 'I gotta gain weight,' Miller responded. Miller didn't go out often. But he went out with Amp. Stars trusted Amp. Stars trust Amp. In addition to promoting and curating community affairs like the 2025 Indiana Black Expo, Amp is a consultant to professional athletes, entertainers and corporations. Under his company Amp Harris Productions, Amp has planned events for Miller, Michael Jordan, former NBA MVP Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, Colts legends Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James and more accomplished athletes. Actors Kevin Hart and Michael B. Jordan played in Amp's All-Star basketball game. He brought the first Martin Lawrence comedy stand-up to Indianapolis and coordinated the deal that made comedian Mike Epps the ambassador for the 2012 Super Bowl in Indianapolis. Amp and Epps grew up together on College Avenue and 30th Street. 'From Day 1, Amp gave you that vibe that you weren't a star athlete,' Wayne told IndyStar about why it was easy to befriend Amp. 'You were just another person and he always treated us that way.' The celebrity events, sitting courtside at the NBA Finals with Wayne, laughing with Tyrese Haliburton on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium and the many other encounters with the 'crème de la crème' of sport and entertainment don't define Amp. Beneath the success is a man whose trauma made him realize the importance of connecting with others and using those relationships to serve. Warning: Content below may be graphic for some By 21, Amp had made a name for himself through DJing. Amp grew up playing drums in church and his older brother's band rehearsed in their apartment growing up. At 13, Amp began to gravitate toward records and started to explore DJing. He went on a summer trip to New York, where he studied the city's famous DJs and musicians, including Kool DJ Red Alert, Grandmaster Flash and Busy Bee Starski. Upon returning to Indiana, he began working with Indianapolis-based DJ Tony Lamont, carrying record crates and doing planning for Lamont's production company. 'I was overwhelmed by that little needle making music come out of that round thing,' Amp said. At 13, Amp found one of his greatest loves but also experienced his greatest loss. A 58-year-old Amp still remembers the smoke. He can see the pieces of his brother's brain splattered on the wall inside his Indianapolis home. Amp's stepfather had shot his older brother in front of him and his mother, Geneva. 'Everything that Amp is, that moment is the reason why,' Amp said. 'One thing about tragedy is that it either eats you or you eat it. If it wasn't for my mother's Christian faith that she instilled me, I wouldn't have made it through.' Not much in the business can make Amp happy. Nothing in it can bring him joy. As he grew older, it was hard for Amp to understand why success didn't matter. By 15, Amp was working with local DJ Thomas Griffin and doing parties in over-21 clubs. The following year, Amp would finish high school basketball practice at Decatur Central and, as a member of the busing program, travel 45 minutes back to Indianapolis to DJ at night. Griffin, who Amp views as a mentor alongside Lamont, said he saw a 'very observant' teenager with 'a lot of personality' in Amp. When Amp was 16, Griffin began calling his production company 'Amp Harrris and the Network' because of his mentee's ability to connect with the youth. Amp elected not to enroll in college, a decision to which Geneva, who was raised in the Jim Crow South, didn't comprehend. But Amp had a vision. At 19, Amp founded his own production company and was hosting parties with headliners including Big Daddy Kane, Whodini and Chub Rock that drew 2,000 people. By 21, basketball stars O'Neal and Jordan were asking Amp to throw their parties. From there, Amp joined radio and became a host at WTLC Hot 96 at 25. In recent years, Amp learned why success never characterized him. 'I've seen death,' Amp said. 'There aren't too many things that get me excited, but psychologically, what's the worst thing that could happen. I get excited watching people who come to my events say they have a good time. The success doesn't excite me because I've seen it at all, coming from where I've come from and what I've had to fight through.' Amp recognized early in his career that building genuine relationships would create the opportunity for impact in Indianapolis. One night in 1984, after the Pacers played the Bulls, a rookie Jordan visited the Piccadilly Club in Indianapolis. Lamont and Griffin were the leading DJs, and Amp was assisting them. Before the club closed, Amp was playing pool with Jordan. 'By the end of the night, Amp and MJ are best buddies,' Griffin said. Amp added: 'I was a young kid teaching myself, but I knew the most important thing in this business was going to be relationships and how to maintain those relationships. The first rule of thumb is not how much money you have or how smart you are, but instead the kind of relationships you have. We all have a responsibility, no matter our position; it's not how much access you have, but what you do with the access.' Amp began the Amp Harris Foundation in 1999. Through his foundation, Amp hosts an annual toy drive on the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He gifted 500 tickets to the 2024 NBA All-Star game to kids in Indianapolis. Other community engagement events include a mental health symposium at a local high school, where he selected former Pacer Metta World Peace to speak. Amp's partnerships have undoubtedly impacted the community, but his friendship has also impacted those he partners with. Edgerrin James kept his guard up. James was born and raised in Immokalee, Fla., a town he called a 'melting pot' with less than 25,000 people. When the Colts drafted him with the fourth pick in the 1999 NFL draft, James didn't know how a majority-white Indianapolis would receive a 6-0 Black man with dreads and gold teeth. 'I keep to my circle and surroundings, but Amp would bridge the gap between myself and others I probably wouldn't communicate with, even from a business side. Amp would make it make sense,' James told IndyStar. 'He's a buffer system that would say, 'These people are good for you, and he's usually spot on.' He's full of information and is a true connector. Sometimes he sees things in you that you don't see in yourself, and that's good when you have to walk around with this guard as an athlete.' Added Wayne: 'A lot of times, guys use your stardom to get things accomplished, but Amp was never like that. He always wanted us to make sure our brand stayed clean and get us around the right people.' The Colts drafted Wayne in 2001. The three-time All-Pro helped lead Indianapolis to the 2007 Super Bowl championship. James introduced Wayne to Amp when the former Miami product arrived in Indianapolis. Wayne used to call Amp and ask him questions about the city and business-related ventures. Wayne credited Amp for teaching him the whereabouts of Indianapolis when he became a Colt. After experiencing Amp's influence in the city, Wayne started calling him the 'Mayor' before transitioning to the 'Governor.' 'He just doesn't know, but he's a politician. But a good one,' Wayne told IndyStar. 'He knows how to navigate and read people. It's to the point where I'm like, 'Hey, I saw you were at such and such. Why didn't you let me know?' 'I know you ain't gon like that,' Amp would respond. 'Well, how do you know?' asked Wayne. 'Because I know you,' Amp retorted. 'I'm like man, 'You not married to me, you don't know me man,' but he just has this ability to read people,' Wayne said. 'If he were an X-Men, he'd be Xavier.' What started as business with James and Wayne turned into a brotherhood. Throughout James' time in Indy, it was common for Amp to go to James' house or vice versa and for Amp to attend James' family functions. Today, James doesn't come to Indianapolis without connecting with Amp. Wayne and Amp frequently sat courtside together during the Pacers' playoff run to the Finals this season. Wayne and Amp are fans of different Pacers players, and their postseason debates turned into trash talk about which players they believe should've gotten more playing time. 'I play devil's advocate on purpose just to get him railed up,' Wayne said with a laugh. 'I told him that the cameras were going to catch us, and people were going to think we were fighting.' Both Wayne and James respect Amp for never asking for money since they met. James acknowledged that some may have an 'ulterior motive' when building friendships with star athletes like himself. Not Amp 'He never used us in any way,' Wayne said. Added James: 'When it's genuine, when you're talking about a real friend, that's what Amp and I's relationship is,' James said. 'That's a forever friend and family member. If I don't talk to Amp for three weeks, we pick up like it was yesterday." Though it appears easy, maintaining relationships isn't natural for the self-proclaimed introvert. Amp's best work is produced at 3 a.m. when no one is calling him. He's recharged by outdoor walks. He has set up concerts with 5,000 people where he's sitting in the back. 'One of my guys used to work the door for me at events, and people would say to him, 'Amp, why are you charging me all the time?' Amp said. He pauses and lets the question sink in. He then laughs before switching to third person to answer it himself. 'That's not Amp. He's in the back,' he said. Amp's preserved personality isn't new. When he first started DJing, Amp was terrified of people looking at him, so he ducked his head under the record table when he spoke on the mic. But Amp recognizes that personal preference to operate behind the scenes won't always contribute to his call to serve. After scrolling through his camera roll, chronicling stories behind hundreds of pictures that include the likes of NFL legend Jim Brown and four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry, Amp stopped at a photo of smiling kids at a local Boys and Girls Club. 'This is why I do it,' Amp said as he looked at the kids in the picture. 'What are people going to say when you're done? You're a great entertainer, you're a great athlete? That's your job, not who you are.' Amp enjoys the opportunities his work provides, in particular 'connecting the dots and being a voice for the voiceless.' However, he admitted he doesn't know how long he will continue. Amp sits at a blue and white table at Binkley's Kitchen and Bar in Indianapolis. In front of him rests a glass of water with a 'whole bunch of lemons, no ice.' That's his first request at most restaurants. It's about halfway through his two-hour conversation, and Amp sets down the fork he's using to eat his strawberry chicken salad. As fans spin to cool down the outside seating area, Amp reveals a friend recently asked him where he wanted to be in the next five years. 'I want to be equal to where I am at now or better,' Amp told his friend. 'That ain't an answer,' his friend said in frustration. He wanted Amp to provide a dollar amount, a dream event or a materialistic possession. If Amp never plans another event, he's content. You say you want to be equal to where you are now. Where are you now, Amp? 'At peace,' he said. Amp's peace and joy are found in watching his daughter Rachel excel. Rachel is a senior marketing major at Howard and hopes to attend Georgetown in fall 2026 to pursue a Master's in business administration. She's an aspiring sports and entertainment executive. 'Everything I did before my daughter was self-absorbed. The day she was born, I no longer lived for myself. I lived for her," Amp said. "And that's why I don't let this business get to me. When you are intentional about who you are and not what you do, what you do becomes secondary." Rachel said, 'A lot of what I want to do is because of him,' and applauded her dad for always emphasizing the importance of building relationships, a skill she applies in college and career pursuits. 'I'm blessed to have a father whom I can look up to not only as a dad but as a role model. He's able to talk to any person from any background. My dad is a great father because he's a friend to everyone,' Rachel said. 'He's thankful for what life has taught him and everything he has had to face. So, I think it's a no-brainer for him to think about other people and give back. 'His tendency is to always give back to where he came from because I don't think he'll ever forget that part of himself that went through hardship.' Amp won't forget.
Indianapolis Star
22-07-2025
- Indianapolis Star
'We can't tout this as a success.' Youth leaders want curfew progress to continue, expand
The first floor of the City-County Council building was full of activity this past weekend. IMPD officers and at least seven community organizations were prepared to implement a first-time process for handling youth breaking curfew. Under the plan to help curb downtown gun violence after a deadly start to July, youth out after curfew would be taken to the downtown hub. Officers would collect their information, contact parents to come pick them up, and organizations would provide food while connecting with them to resources. If parents don't pick them up within an hour, they would be taken to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center. In the hub's first weekend, which featured the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game and Indiana Black Expo downtown, officials said they accounted for zero kids taken to the detention center for breaking curfew. "That's in addition to the fact that we had no significant violent crimes or public safety incidents downtown this weekend," IMPD Deputy Chief of Operations Tanya Terry said. "It took all of us to come together to get to this point and show what downtown Indy can be a fun, safe place for residents and visitors alike." Only six people have been cited for a youth curfew violation in the past two years. Five youths were cited in October 2023, and one was cited this July 2025, according to city records. While the weekend has been deemed by some public safety leaders as progress, community leaders say there's more work to be done. They want to make sure this type of response can sustain well beyond downtown when there are large events like Black Expo, the WNBA All-Star Game, and Fourth of July. The organizations that volunteered to be a part of the hub collaborating with police were Firefly Children & Family Alliance, Eskenazi Health, VOICES, Inner Beauty Program, Inc., Let Them Talk Indy, and New B.O.Y. Kareem Hines, the founder of New B.O.Y (Breed of Youth), leads one of the organizations represented at the hub over the weekend. He said he hopes that police and city officials look at the early success and push the pilot program to the rest of the year. "And not just downtown, 'cause that's a minimal space," Hines told IndyStar. "We need this all over the city if other organizations can collaborate. 'Cause we see kids out all over, not just downtown. We need this at Post Road, 30th and MLK, Lawrence, or wherever. Go where the hotspots are." Following the mass shooting that left seven young people shot and two dead over Fourth of July weekend, Keith "Wildstyle" Paschall went downtown to observe the problem. He feels youth should have more controlled spaces where they can gather and have fun. Reunification site for youth: City to open 'safe and secure' site with resources for youth found out past curfew "We need to audit our relationships with promoters, venue organizers, and people who used to host events for teens and young people," Paschall said. "A couple of years back, rolling rinks, for example, used to be open later, but they'd shut down because of a lot of youth fighting, and they felt pressure to." Pascall also said there needs to be more resources for parents that aren't punitive. He wants them to have more support beyond pouring money into mentorships or community organizations that don't consider them in their mission to help. In a statement, Fraternal Order of Police president Rick Snyder said this past weekend "proves it can be done." "When accountability and consequences for criminal behavior are clearly articulated and understood, it works," Snyder said. "It also turns out we didn't need to restrict the rights of the law-abiding to get adults and juveniles to not shoot one another in downtown Indianapolis." Snyder also said the city didn't need a change to curfew or gun laws; just a willingness to enforce existing laws. "Time will tell if Indy's politicians in charge choose to sustain this path or return to failed policies and misguided agendas," he said. IMPD's Terry said the department has community organizations, including Ten Pointe Coalition, that try to target hotspots of youth violence throughout the city. "While it's not as visible as the downtown events and incidents, they are ongoing in the background, and our hope with IMPD is we're happy to continue to be a conduit between the kids and families that need the services, and those community-based service providers" Terry said. She said IMPD is in the early stages of creating written guidance for organizations that are willing be part of the solution. The ideal situation for everybody, Terry said, would be that a family or child in need of extra support has access to services regardless of the presence of a major event downtown, Hines said this should be something the city invests in. Whereas IMPD is paid to work all hours of the night to ensure curfew is being met, the city's service organizations are not. "We had like five to six mentors and we asked them to volunteer from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m," Hines said. "But that's volunteering, and we can't tout this as a success after one weekend. We need to extend that same grace, manpower, and more for the rest of this year."
Indianapolis Star
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
Traffic updates, text alerts, public safety: What you should know ahead of WNBA All-Star 2025
WNBA All-Star Game festivities start this week, and Mayor Joe Hogsett said the top priority for city leaders is public safety. "This is a very important weekend because we have both Indiana Black Expo and the WNBA All-Star Game," Mayor Joe Hogsett said. "The chief and public safety officials in Indianapolis are pretty veteran at holding the largest single-day sporting events in all the world." Different law enforcement agencies from central Indiana and the Indiana State Police will be out throughout downtown, and IMPD has shifted staffing to make sure neighborhoods throughout the city are still being patrolled adequately. Public safety officials want attendees to be reassured that their safety at the WNBA All-Star Game and its associated events is a top priority despite public concerns after a spate of shootings and homicides in recent weeks. People can TEXT ALLSTAR25 to 67283 to opt into public safety notifications. Since summer started on June 20, there have been 22 homicides and 70 non-fatal shootings across Indianapolis. Thirty people were shot from July 4 to 6, 2025. Five people died, two of whom were teens hit during a mass shooting downtown. IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said he saw fewer kids downtown past curfew this past weekend as he worked the area himself on Friday and Saturday nights. He said he also saw fewer juveniles with firearms, a trend that he said he hopes continues. "They want what we all want to do, and they should be able to come down here and enjoy themselves, but we want them to do so in the right ways," Bailey said. "We can't control your behavior," Bailey said. "I'm asking people to come downtown and have a peaceful heart. You don't have to solve your issues with weapons, whether it's a gun or otherwise. We will enforce the law." Monument Circle: Wednesday, July 16, to Sunday, July 20 Delaware Street: Friday, July 18 For the WNBA STARRY 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge event, doors at Gainbridge Fieldhouse will open at 6:30 p.m. The event starts at 8 p.m. Delaware Street will be closed between South Street and Maryland Street from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Delaware Street: Saturday, July 19 For the AT&T WNBA All-Star Game, Gainbridge Fieldhouse doors will open at 7 p.m. with the event starting at 8:30 p.m. Delaware Street will be closed between South Street and Maryland Street from 4-11 p.m. Closed due to construction All Star Bounce: Saturday, July 19 Registration starts at 7 a.m., with the event starting at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Mall. Meridian south from the American Legion Mall to Monument Circle will be closed between 7 a.m. and noon.
Axios
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Axios
Indy leaders urge peace as WNBA All-Star weekend approaches
Local civic and law enforcement leaders want everyone to know that downtown Indianapolis is a safe place. Why it matters: Tens of thousands of people are about to descend upon the Circle City this weekend for arguably the biggest WNBA All-Star celebration of all time and the final weekend of Indiana Black Expo's 2025 Summer Celebration. The big picture: The message that multiple agencies will be working overtime in an effort to keep downtown safe follows consecutive weekends of violence that have cast a deadly shadow over the start of summer and reignited conversations on how to protect — and police — the city's youth. What they're saying: "I'm asking people to come downtown, or into any of our neighborhoods, and have a peaceful heart," IMPD Chief Chris Bailey said during a Monday press conference. "Continue to be that example and the guiding light for our youth as we move into a very busy weekend in our city." Zoom in: Bailey said there will be more police in every part of the county thanks to partnerships with the Indiana State Police and federal partners. Along with increased foot, car, bike, horse and ATV patrols, public safety drones will keep an eye on things from above. Privately owned drones of any kind, regardless of size, are prohibited in venues and the immediately surrounding area. A complete breakdown of what is and isn't allowed can be found here. Mel Raines, Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO, said security inside Gainbridge will be similar to what we see during regular Fever games, with all the same registrations and bag policies in place. She added that the ticketed checkpoints used during the Pacers' NBA Finals run are making a comeback. That means starting four hours before tip-off, fans must show their tickets to gain access to the different parts of Gainbridge, including the Morris Bicentennial Plaza public space outside the arena. Zoom out: Outdoor activities will pack fans into Monument Circle and Georgia Street as well, prompting a series of closures that start as early as Wednesday. A full list of WNBA All-Star road closures and recommended travel routes can be found here. Downtown parking info can be found here. To make getting around with all those fans less painful, IndyGo buses will be free for all riders on Friday and Saturday. Pacers Bikeshare will also be free to check out with a promo code. State of play: To keep fans in the loop, an emergency mass text service is being established specifically for All-Star Weekend. To receive real-time public safety updates, text ALLSTAR25 to 67283. When the weekend ends, registered numbers will be cleared from the system. What's next: Though the immediate focus is this weekend's celebrations, Mayor Joe Hogsett said leaders will be taking steps during the rest of the summer to make our weekends peaceful.
