Indiana Black Expo Inc

THE MISSION OF INDIANA BLACK EXPO, INC. IS TO BE AN EFFECTIVE VOICE AND VEHICLE FOR THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

SUMMER CELEBRATION: SUMMER CELEBRATION SERVES AS A CONDUIT FOR THE INDIANAPOLIS COMMUNITY, THE STATE OF INDIANA AND THE NATION AT-LARGE. SUMMER CELEBRATION BEGAN IN 1970 AT THE END OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AS AN EFFORT TO BRING AWARENESS OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WITHIN THE INDIANAPOLIS COMMUNITY. SINCE THOSE EARLY DAYS, IT HAS BECOME A FIXTURE FOR INDIANAPOLIS TOURISM, BUSINESS, POLITICAL AND ACADEMIC COMMUNITIES WHILE ALSO SERVING AS A SOCIAL AWARENESS VEHICLE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AFRICAN AMERICANS. SUMMER CELEBRATION PROVIDES FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE ORGANIZATION'S YOUTH AND FAMILY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EFFORTS.

PROGRAMS AT INDIANA BLACK EXPO: INCLUDES ACTIVITIES SUCH AS "WE CAN FEED THE HUNGRY" AT CHRISTMAS, WHICH ANNUALLY SERVES OVER 800 FAMILIES, WITH A FOCUS ON RESIDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSING AGENCIES, ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND REFERRALS FROM VARIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH GROCERIES TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES A TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY DINNER. A BUSINESS CONFERENCE IS HELD ANNUALLY, TO PROVIDE A VENUE FOR BLACK ENTREPRENEURS, ORGANIZATIONS AND TALENT TO SHOWCASE THEIR GOODS AND SERVICES. THE CONFERENCE FOCUSES ON PROVIDING MINORITY BUSINESSES WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED TO COMPETE FOR CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES WITH LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL, PRIVATE, AND POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTIONS. ATTENDEES WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM EXPERTS ON SUSTAINING AND EXPANDING THEIR BUSINESSES AND NETWORKING WITH KEY DECISION MAKERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOSTS EMPLOYMENT FAIRS, WHERE BUSINESSES IN SEARCH OF QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES ARE CONNECTED WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, UNDEREMPLOYED OR SIMPLY LOOKING FOR A CHANGE IN WORKPLACES. THE EMPLOYMENT FAIR INCLUDES WORKSHOPS ON RESUME PREPARATION AND INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES. MANY OF THE PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS OFFER ON-THE-SPOT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE JOB MARKET AND THOSE TRYING TO NAVIGATE IT.

YOUTH PROGRAMS: THE FOCUS OF YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS IS TO STRENGTHEN SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. TO DO THIS EFFECTIVELY, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO RESEARCH HOW AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE LIVING STATEWIDE. AS INFORMATION IS GATHERED, THE ORGANIZATION TAKES STEPS TO ENSURE PROGRAMS THAT KEEP THE COMMUNITY HEALTHY, WEALTHY AND WISE ARE CONTINUALLY OFFERED. IBE'S YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT MANAGES OR ORGANIZES AT LEAST 13 PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING (1) EDUCATION DAY; (2) THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FAIR; (3) STATE OF OUR BLACK YOUTH INITIATIVE; (4) STATEWIDE EDUCATION CONFERENCE; (5) FAMILY FUN/TECH ZONE; (6) STATEWIDE YOUTH LEADERSHIP SUMMIT; (7) CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND; (8) CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC CORONATION; (9) CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC YOUTH FOOTBALL AND CHEERLEADING CLINIC; (10) PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY; (11) THE MINORITY BUSINESS CONFERENCE; AND (12) THE TOBACCO PREVENTION & CESSATION INITIATIVE. IBE ALSO COLLABORATES ON SEVERAL INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE INSHAPE INDIANA BLACK & MINORITY HEALTH FAIR, THE LARGEST MINORITY HEALTH FAIR IN THE WORLD, AND THE CULTURAL ARTS PAVILION.

CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC: IN 1983, INDIANA BLACK EXPO ORGANIZERS HAD A DESIRE TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AMONGST THE NATION'S HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. THAT YEAR, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE AND GRAMBLING UNIVERSITY CAME TOGETHER DURING THE FIRST EVER CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC. HOWEVER, THE CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC IS NOT JUST A FOOTBALL GAME. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IS THE PRIORITY AND IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS A COLLEGE FAIR FEATURING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES; COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOPS ARE HOSTED ACROSS THE CITY AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED TO AREA STUDENTS.