Latest news with #IndianaBlackExpo
Axios
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Indy readies for dual WNBA All-Star, Indiana Black Expo celebration
Regardless of the forecast, mid-July is poised to be the hottest stretch of summer in Indianapolis. Why it matters: Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration and WNBA All-Star 2025 sharing calendar and venue space means the city will need to accommodate two marquee events and countless community-focused initiatives all at once. What they're saying: Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said the first call she made after being contacted by the league about All-Star hosting duties was IBE president and CEO Alice Watson. "We wanted to be sure that that was something that Alice and the organization thought would be complementary to what they were doing, and that we could sort of coexist in downtown together. And she quickly got back to me and said, 'I think this is a great opportunity and I think we could work together in a really cool way.' And so we've been off to the races since then," Raines said. "This is really the most exciting time not only for Indiana Black Expo or PS&E, but for the city of Indianapolis," Watson said. "None of us will be sleeping. We'll just keep going and going and going." Catch up quick: Summer Celebration starts July 11 with the Ecumenical Service at New Direction Church and ends July 20 with the IBE's Gospel Explosion at the Indiana Convention Center. All proceeds generated by the event support IBE's year-round initiatives related to education, business development, community learning, performing arts, college scholarships and more. WNBA All-Star tips off July 18, featuring the inaugural Fever Fest concert at White River State Park and culminating in the sold-out game the next day. A skills challenge and three-point shootout are among the on-court highlights, while off-court action includes the return of "Indy's Home Court," a downtown takeover of arts and culture events first seen during last year's NBA All-Star game. State of play: Four Indiana nonprofits have received $1 million in grants to create a lasting legacy around the All-Star event. Here's what they're working on. Fletcher Place Community Center: Enhancements to early learning facilities and community spaces. The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis: Renovation of the basketball court at Al E. Polin Park. Marion County Commission on Youth: Facility renovations and the launch of a student ambassador program for 25 female high school students. Marvella Foundation: Development of a "Championship Arena" at its Fair Oaks Farms campus in Newton County. Zoom in: Other community engagement plans include an effort to help women entrepreneurs obtain women-owned business enterprise certification and free Zumba sessions held across Indy in partnership with Centers of Wellness for Urban Women. Meanwhile, donors and volunteers are still needed for All-Star Cure on July 12-13. The event is a partnership between the host committee and the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank that invites up to 500 women to donate healthy breast tissue in support of cancer research. What's next: More announcements, including celebrity guests to be added to Summer Celebration's guest list for the education conference on July 17, and the Style Zone July 18-20.
Indianapolis Star
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Indiana Black Expo outdoor concert lineup released. Who's performing in 2025?
It's a lineup to make old-school R&B fans weak. Keith Sweat and SWV will headline the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration 's outdoor concert. The July 18 Music Heritage Festival will also feature Cameo, singer-actor Christopher Williams and Gary, Indiana, native Deniece Williams. This marks the second year for the Music Heritage Festival at its new home at the IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium, 1001 W. New York St. Indiana Black Expo tweaked its annual free concert offering in 2024, making it a paid ticketed event and moving it from downtown Indy's American Legion Mall. The new enclosed stadium seating venue offered enhanced security, organizers said. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. How much are tickets for the Indiana Black Expo concert? The ticket costs ranged from $10 for general admission to $50-$100 for premium seating last year, with proceeds benefiting IBE's youth and family programs and its scholarship fund. Summer Celebration is back in July This year, the Summer Celebration returns to the month of July, running July 10-20. The 2024 expo events were staged in June to accommodate the National Eucharistic Congress that took place at Lucas Oil Stadium July 17-21. Indiana Black Expo 2025 outdoor concert lineup Keith Sweat: The six-time platinum producer, songwriter and R&B singer ('I Want Her,' 'Make It Last Forever') helped usher in the New Jack Swing Era and later formed supergroup LSG ('My Body') with Gerald Levert and Johnny Gill. SWV: The New York City trio's debut studio album, 'It's About Time,' produced top 20 R&B chart singles – 'Right Here,' 'I'm So Into You,' 'Weak,' 'Right Here/Human Nature Remix,' 'Dowtown,' and 'You're Always on My Mind.' Cameo: The funk band led by Larry Blackmon is best known for 80s hits 'Word Up!' 'Candy,' and 'Single Life,' but charted with ballads 'Why Have I Lost You,' 'Feel Me' and 'Sparkle.' Deniece Williams: The four-time Grammy Award winner with a four-octave range sang backup on some of Stevie Wonder, Minnie Riperton and Roberta Flack's biggest projects before recording on her own hits, including 'Free,' 'Silly, 'It's Gonna Take Miracle' and 'Let's Hear It for the Boy.' She dueted with Johnny Mathis on 'Too Much, Too Little, Too Late' and teamed with him again for the 'Family Toes' sitcom theme song 'Without Us.' Christopher Williams: Coming onto the scene in the early '90s with hits like 'I'm Dreamin'' and 'Every Little Thing U Do' the singer also acted in the classic hip-hop film 'New Jack City.' How to get tickets to the Indiana Black Expo outdoor concert The outdoor concert will begin at 6 p.m. on July 18. Tickets go on sale April 28 at or The outdoor concert is a centerpiece of the annual Summer Celebration, which also features business and health expos and conferences. The Summer Celebration is one of the major events produced by Indiana Black Expo Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes social and economic advancement of African Americans through year-round initiatives, including its Black Business Training Institute, Scholarship Fund, Performing Arts Academy and Community Learning Hub as well as the Circle City Classic. For more information about Summer Celebration, visit
Axios
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Meet the Maker: Indy Arts Council's new leader
Meet the Indianapolis deputy mayor selected as the next president and CEO of central Indiana's leading arts advocacy and services agency. Why it matters: Judith B. Thomas will leave her post as deputy mayor of neighborhood engagement to take the reins of the Indy Arts Council as the connection between creators and the city grows stronger. Driving the news: Thomas will start her new role in mid-April, replacing former president and CEO Julie Goodman. Goodman led the way from 2019-2024, navigating Indy Arts Council through the pandemic. She is now chief advancement officer with the Cabaret. Flashback: Thomas, a Butler grad, has spent the last three decades contributing to some of the city's biggest events, including Indiana Black Expo and National FFA. Last year, she was tapped as co-chair of the local organizing committee for the 2026 NCAA Men's Final Four in Indy. Thomas was president of Madam Walker Legacy Center from 2018 to 2020. Before that, she worked with Visit Indy for 13 years.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Black Expo celebrating 53 years
ELKHART — The Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo will celebrate 53 years of service in Elkhart County at the Crystal Ball Room at the Lerner Theatre, 410 S. Main St., Elkhart. The event is sponsored by Navarre Hospitality Group with a theme honoring the legacy of Leroy Robinson and the Past, present and future of Elkhart Chapter Indiana Black Expo. Robinson, founder of the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo and prominent member of the state organization, was employed by the city of Elkhart as the building commissioner for 16 years until his retirement. He was a member of the St. James A.M.E. Church and, along with his wife Beatrice, founded H.O.M.E., an organization whose purpose was to assist individuals in purchasing homes. He also helped found the Elkhart Chapter of the Black Expo, which he remained very active until his death. He was a member of the N.A.A.C.P. and a veteran, serving in the United States Army. This event will not only celebrate the life and legacy of Leroy Robinson but the rich history of the impact of the Elkhart Chapter in and around Elkhart County and the state of Indiana. The event will feature a wariety of guest speakers including Indiana Black Expo CEO Alice Watson, Mayor Rod Roberson, CEO of Greater ELKHART County Chamber Lavon Johnson, CEO of Elkhart County Community Foundation Pete McCown, Tanya Bell Mackenzie, Arvis Dawson City Council President and more. The event will also feature a live performance from Grammy Award winning singer Glenn Jones. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased online at
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Trailblazer awards ceremony celebrates Concord students
ELKHART — The Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo and Concord High School hosted a Trailblazer Awards ceremony to honor 20 high school students who are performing well academically at Concord's Beickman Performing Arts Center. 'A lot of times African American students are only celebrated for athletics,' said Robert Taylor, president of the Elkhart Chapter of the Indiana Black Expo. 'Being able to celebrate them for the educational part of it really stands out especially with it being Black History Month.' Taylor said this is the first year the Trailblazer Awards have taken place at Concord. It was the 11th year overall. The awards ceremony celebrated five students from each of the four grade levels, ninth through 12th grade. Concord Senior Serena Poindexter received a $1,000 scholarship from the Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo. Half of the scholarship money was raised by Black Expo, while Taylor and his wife matched with the other $500. Poindexter said she was shocked by the scholarship award. 'That's insane that I'm getting this scholarship,' Poindexter said. 'I'm so blessed and so incredibly grateful. It is just so crazy.' Poindexter also said her plans after high school are to attend Indiana University South Bend and major in dental hygiene. The awards ceremony started off with a welcome from Rebecca Roberts, who heads college and career readiness at Concord High School, and an introduction by Taylor. The group of students, guests, staff and administration were treated to a lunch, while Mayor Rod Roberson gave the keynote address to the students. Roberson talked about the struggles and hardship his parents and grandparents faced in the segregated South and when he was growing up in Elkhart. He also talked about the importance of being excellent, an idea his parents instilled in him. He said he did not want just to be the first Black mayor of the city, but to be the best mayor the city has ever had. 'When you say Black history is American history, that's true,' Roberson said. 'Because the greatness that comes from inside of you is just part of the mosaic that helps America become America, helps Indiana become Indiana, and Elkhart become Elkhart. Our community is better because we have people who achieve at the level that they feel adds value to the excellence that they bring to it.' Poindexter said the mayor's speech made her realize how grateful she is for not having faced discrimination and being welcomed in her diverse school environment. The awards ceremony gave a special shoutout to individual Concord teachers and staff who contributed financially to the luncheon. Roberts Environmental Services LLC served as the corporate sponsor for the event.
