The Indiana Black Expo Supports Minority Business Owners, Students and More

The Indiana Black Expo hosts several events and opportunities throughout the year focused on business training, health equity, education and more. Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

With a mission to be the voice and vehicle for social and economic growth of African American families, the Indiana Black Expo is making a difference throughout the state. Through two key yearly events, as well as year-round programming, IBE supports the Black community in the areas of business training, health equity, education, performing arts and much more.

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

“We have really meaningful programming throughout the year,” says Katrina Owens, vice president of administration at IBE. “We’re very intentional in supporting our mission, and that includes programming, like the Black Business Training Institute, free to Black-owned businesses, and our Performing Arts Academy, which is free to middle and high school age students.”

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The organization has two major events per year – the Summer Celebration and the Circle City Classic – but Owens says it’s important people know IBE isn’t just a group of event planners.

“We party with a purpose,” she says. “And while we’re headquartered in Indianapolis, we have 12 chapters across the state that participate in our programming.”

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The Summer Celebration features several events throughout the week leading up to an exhibition hall showcasing minority-owned businesses in all industries. Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

IBE’s Paramount Events

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

One of the major IBE events is the annual Summer Celebration. For 2024, the event will be held June 20 through 30 in Indianapolis, which is earlier in the season than in years past due to scheduling conflicts beyond their control.

“This 10-day event is an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate Black excellence,” Owens says. “We welcome all cultures, ethnicities and people to engage and learn with the African American community.”

Celebrating its 53rd year in 2024, the Summer Celebration features smaller events throughout the week, including a corporate luncheon, business conference, education conference, outdoor concert and more. Owens says there also is an exhibition hall toward the end of the event, showcasing minority-owned businesses in all industries, including food and tourism.

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

“This is a place for small Black businesses to make themselves known and sell their products and services,” she says.

The Summer Celebration is one of the largest events of its kind, and all proceeds from the event go back into IBE’s year-round programming. Learn more at summercelebration.net.

In addition to the Summer Celebration, IBE’s other annual event is the Circle City Classic, a showcase of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Similar to the Summer Celebration, proceeds from the classic go back to the cause, helping support scholarships for youth across the state.

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Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

Boosting Indiana’s Economy

As an Indiana native, even before working for IBE, Owens says she has attended the Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic for years. She’s seen firsthand how they support Indiana’s economic growth for the African American community and beyond.

“Economics is about education, workforce, employment, drawing new talent to the state and more,” Owens says. “IBE has played a great role in supporting that with bringing new, diverse, minority talent and exposing them to Indiana businesses and employers.”

She adds that both events bring visitors from outside Indiana state lines as well, bringing tourism dollars to the state and city of Indianapolis.

“There’s also an advocacy and outreach piece that we’re really proud of,” she says. “We’re bringing awareness to the social economic issues that the Black community faces, like health equity. We’re exposing young people, educating them and providing services to help.”

Photo credit: Nathan Lambrecht

Owens says that overall, IBE wants to make sure the community knows they’re welcome at all organization events and that they couldn’t do it without community support.

“We encourage those who have come out in the past to return,” she says. “We need the support of the community so that IBE can continue to persist and evolve. We need community support as we continue to support them.”

Learn more about the Indiana Black Expo at indianablackexpo.com.

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