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Edgerrin James among honorees announced for Indiana Black Expo corporate luncheon

April 10, 2024

Pacers CEO Rick Fuson, journalist Soledad O’Brien and actor Leon Robinson also will receive awards at the June 28 event.

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Report: Newfields board member on human resources committee resigns

November 19, 2023

Dave Lindquist

Adrienne Sims, IU Health’s chief human resources officer since 2022, resigned from the Newfields board, The Indianapolis Recorder reported.

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Black Expo to make Classic a high school football event this year, add HBCU basketball games in 2027

May 5, 2026 | IBJ Staff

For more than 40 years, the Circle City Classic has revolved around a football game between two historically black colleges and universities. That is changing in 2026, organizers announced Tuesday.

All-Star Weekend recap: Groups host execs, planners in All-Star suites; Fever Fest draws 3,000

July 19, 2025 | IBJ Staff

Afraid you missed something? Scroll through our WNBA All-Star Weekend blog to relive the dayslong party.

Multiple events have downtown Indy hotels ‘jam-packed’ for All-Star Weekend

July 14, 2025 | Marisa Reinhard and

Mickey Shuey

With little to no vacancy and multiple events downtown, hotel rooms are about as hard to come by as tickets to the WNBA All-Star Game.

City seeks to curb violence on eve of WNBA All-Star Game

July 11, 2025 |

Mickey Shuey and Daniel Lee

Indianapolis leaders and event organizers are in a race against the clock to quell a recent spate of downtown violence before next weekend when the city hosts the WNBA All-Star Game and Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration, two of the biggest events on this year’s calendar.

WNBA All-Star, Indiana Black Expo organizers view big weekend as chance to team up

July 4, 2025 |

Dave Lindquist

Organizers of both organizations are trying to make sure one doesn’t overshadow the other.

Organizations seek explanation for Newfields leader’s departure

November 16, 2023 |

Dave Lindquist

Leaders of Indiana Black Expo Inc. and the Indianapolis Urban league said the community is owed more information about the circumstances surrounding the CEO’s departure.

New Black Expo CEO emphasizes organization’s year-round initiatives

June 23, 2023 |

Dave Lindquist

Indiana Black Expo is known for its Summer Celebration and fall Circle City Classic events. But Alice Watson says the not-for-profit promotes social and economic advancement of Black residents throughout the state 12 months a year.

Circle City Classic doesn’t rule out return of football in 2023

August 19, 2022 |

Dave Lindquist

On Sept. 24, instead of a football game, marching bands and a step competition among fraternities and sororities from historically Black colleges and universities will be in the spotlight at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Tanya Bell Mckinzie to exit Indiana Black Expo leadership role

April 11, 2022 |

Dave Lindquist

Alice Watson, Indiana Black Expo’s senior vice president of operations and project management, was named as Mckinzie’s successor.

Tanya Bell Mckinzie: Fight systemic racism by leveling field for Black-owned businesses

July 3, 2020 | Tanya Mckinzie

Creating new businesses and expanding opportunities for existing Black-owned businesses are key ways to invest in the Black community and help us fight for racial equality.

James Cummings, founder of Black Expo, dies at 90

April 24, 2020 | IBJ Staff

Cummings, who was born in Indianapolis in 1929, founded the National Black Republican Council in the late 1970s and worked on Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign in 1980.

Black Expo calls off in-person Summer Celebration, Circle City Classic events

April 23, 2020 | IBJ Staff

Organizers say they are planning to provide some events digitally. Officials said they are particularly concerned about the disproportionate effect the coronavirus is having on African Americans.

Indiana Black Expo moves concert indoors over weather concerns

July 20, 2018

The move could cut potential attendance at Friday evening’s show from about 30,000 to no more than 8,000.

Black Expo to feature business events July 10-14

June 29, 2017

Many events are part of the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration’s Business Conference.

Indiana Black Expo feuding with Recorder, Radio One

July 25, 2016

An open letter written by Indiana Black Expo President Tanya Bell has exposed a major rift between the organization and the market’s two biggest media properties targeting local black audiences.

The Interview Issue: Tanya Bell

September 25, 2014

When Tanya Bell became Indiana Black Expo CEO in 2008, she said she would be a change agent, a tough job when running an organization with deep roots.

Summer Celebration exhibits open at convention center

July 19, 2013

Indiana Black Expo’s signature event means different things to different attendees. While Spike Lee and Billy Dee Williams were being honored, I was checking out the art.

Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration schedule

June 26, 2013

Indiana Black Expo kicks off its 43rd annual Summer Celebration on July 11 with a full schedule of events. Some of these events may require reservations, invitation or Indiana Convention Center admission fees.

Expo dismisses 3 managers after months of dissension

August 11, 2011

Indiana Black Expo has fired three executives who signed letter in May complaining about the leadership of CEO Tanya Bell, TV reports say.

Black Expo sees attendance rise at Summer Celebration

July 22, 2011

Attendance at Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration was up 5 percent compared to last year, the local organization reported Friday afternoon.

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