Indiana

Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration, which starts earlier than usual, is in full swing

Published

9 months ago

June 22, 2024

Press Room

Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration, which starts earlier than usual, is in full swing

The Summer Celebration is on.

The Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration 2024 kicked off Thursday with an ecumenical service at Kingdom Apostolic Ministries, 4900 E. 38th St. and is in full swing through June 30.

That means films, art exhibits and concerts celebrating Black American culture, along with conferences and summits focused on business, health education and youth leadership.

The Summer Celebration is one of the major events produced by Indiana Black Expo, 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.

If you think it seems early for Black Expo, you’re not wrong. Normally Summer Celebration takes place in July but this year it’s a few weeks earlier because another large event is coming to town next month.

Here’s what to know about the 53rd Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration:

The 2024 Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration is in June

This year’s events, including a three-day exhibition at the Indiana Convention Center, take place June 20-30, to accommodate the National Eucharistic Congress being held at Lucas Oil Stadium July 17-21.

Indiana Black Expo will go back to its traditional July dates next year.

2024 Indiana Black Expo: Summer Celebration will come early this year

Celebrities appearing at the 2024 Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration

Notables are appearing at various conferences, receiving awards and performing throughout the Summer Celebration. Look for:

Atlantic Starr, recording artists
Kid Capri, DJ and producer
Morris Day and The Time, recording artists
Rick Fuson, recently retired Pacers Sports & Entertainment chief executive officer
Johnny Gill, recording artist
Ed Gordon, broadcaster and BET/CBS Special Correspondent
Ginuwine
Lalah Hathaway, recording artist
Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis mayor
Edgerrin James, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Indianapolis Colt
Next, recording artists
Soledad O’Brien, journalist and documentarian
Leon Robinson, actor
Karyn White, recording artist

IBE Film Festival

4 p.m., June 22

Indiana Black Expo, 601 N. Shortridge, Indianapolis

The annual fest has IBE screening independent films produced and written by African American and African filmmakers. The event is free and features discussions about selected titles and filmmaking in general.4 p.m. – Opening Remarks and Welcome4:05 p.m. – Short film screening: “Rasheeda’s Freedom Day”4:40 p.m. – Short film screening: “Black Girls Play”4:58 p.m. – Panel discussion5:28 PM – Feature film screening: “Black Barbie”

IBE Business Conference

June 24-25

Indiana Convention Center

This conference allows business owners to hear from key decision-makers about business development initiatives and multi-million dollar contracting opportunities as well as learn tips on doing business with public, private and international companies.

It includes a mayor’s breakfast and a governor’s awards reception.

IBX Youth Entrepreneur Series

9 a.m., June 25

Indiana Convention Center, Room 236-238

The IBX Youth Entrepreneur Series (YES) introduces middle and high school students to the basic concepts, activities and skills necessary for launching, leading, and growing a successful business. Workshops will help participants develop comprehensive business plans and prepare pitches that will be presented in competitions for prizes.

IBE Education Conference

June 27

Indiana Convention Center

The educational summit provides a platform for educators to explore innovative strategies and learn best practices to create a more equitable and impactful educational system.Keynote speakers are journalist O’Brien and Dr. Kymyona Burk, the senior policy fellow for early literacy at the Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Black & Minority Health Fair

June 27-30

Indiana Convention Center

The annual health fair aims to increase minority awareness of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and cancer, and how to prevent them.

It offers free health screenings and services; wellness resources; and engaging fitness activities for the Black and minority communities.

June 27 is a special night for seniors.

Admission is free.

Mental Health Symposium

June 27, June 29

Indiana Convention Center

The Indiana Black Expo will introduce its Mental Health Symposium to the Summer Celebration this year.

The two-day educational series, in partnership with the Indiana State Department of Health, is part of IBE’s new year-round mental health educational series meant to boost knowledge of and address the stigma about brain health, particularly among Black Indianapolis residents.

Journalist Ed Gordon will host the event.

Part one of the symposium will take place 4:45-5:30 p.m. June 27 during the Black & Minority Health Fair, when expert panelists will discuss the importance of self-care and how to seek mental health support when needed for seniors and senior caregivers. Part two will take place 12-2 p.m. June 29 in the 500 Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center. Topics will include the basics of brain health; lifestyle choices; cognitive decline and dementia management; and navigating healthcare systems and resources.

Caregivers, friends and family members of individuals who have experienced mental health challenges, medical professionals, policymakers, community leaders and mental health advocates are encouraged to attend.

The symposium is free to the public.

Attendees can register for the symposium at tinyurl.com/2cu8a7f4 or visit eventbrite.com for the Cherish Your Mind: Understanding the Importance of Brain Health Symposium.

2024 Corporate Luncheon

11 a.m., Friday, June 28th

Indiana Convention Center, Sagamore Ballroom

The Pacers Sports and Entertainment Corporate Luncheon will honor contributors to African American culture, progress and achievement.

Among the feted will be O’Brien, James, Fuson and Robinson.

Tickets are available at summercelebration.net.

Indiana Black Expo awards: 2024 honorees in African-American culture

Youth Leadership Summit

June 28

Indiana Convention Center

This three-day annual summit helps Indiana middle and high school students become more aware of STEM-related careers and better understand leadership, advocacy and civic responsibility.

Exhibition Hall

June 28-30

Indiana Convention Center

Vendors will offer food and merchandise throughout the Exhibition Hall. Visitors can check out Indiana and regional companies and organizations.

Also in the Expo Hall:

Cultural Arts Pavilion with exhibitions of the works of local and national artists and authors, including the Art Speaks Café, platforming local visual and performing artists. Expect live music; spoken word performances; free paint nights; and interactive art installations and sessions. June 28-30

The Indiana Black Expo Midwest Invitational Boxing Showcase, a competition between top amateur boxing teams from across Indiana, Ohio, Texas, and Missouri. 12 p.m., June 29-30

Textures Institute of Cosmetology Hair Show with beauticians and barbers competing. 1 p.m., June 29

IBE’s Fashion Show, with dozens of models of all ages highlighting top brands in the industry. 4:30 p.m., June 29

Man Made Improv teen-focused variety show hosted by J. Bland Made Man and featuring unscripted improv games, comical sketches, interactive crowd participation and music by DJ Boogie Bang. 6 p.m., June 29

Gospel Explosion, featuring choirs and entertainers. 4 p.m., June 30

Music Heritage Festival

6 p.m., June 28

IU Michael A. Carroll Stadium, 1001 W. New York St., Indianapolis,

The traditional Outdoor Concert gets a new location and requires tickets, starting at $10 each.

Doors open at 4 p.m. with food trucks on-site. Kids ages 2 and under are free when seated on a parent’s lap. Ages 3 and up must have a ticket. To avoid Ticketmaster fees, purchase at ticketmaster.com.

The 2024 Indiana Black Expo outdoor concert lineup:

The Black Expo summer concert: The lineup and changes for 2024

The 2024 All White Affair and Concert

10 p.m., June 29

Gainbridge Fieldhouse

Guests in all-white attire will experience live music and networking opportunities with celebrity guests and artists. Tickets, available at Gainbridge Fieldhouse or ticketmaster.com, are required.

2024 All White Affair and Concert Lineup:

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X: @cherylvjackson.

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Indiana

How South Carolina’s Te-hina Paopao went on defensive tear vs. Indiana: ‘Y’all see that?’

Published

2 hours ago

March 24, 2025

Press Room

How South Carolina’s Te-hina Paopao went on defensive tear vs. Indiana: ‘Y’all see that?’

Dylan Clearfield and Olivia Noni
| Special to USA TODAY

South Carolina guard Te-Hina Paopao recorded four blocks in a win against Indiana, earning her a spot in the Gamecocks’ “seatbelt gang.”
The “seatbelt gang,” which originated with guards Bree Hall and Raven Johnson, prides itself on its defensive prowess.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley emphasizes defense, creating a culture where players strive to excel on that end of the court.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The “seatbelt gang” originated with South Carolina women’s basketball guards Bree Hall and Raven Johnson. But after the Gamecocks’ 64-53 win Sunday over No. 9 Indiana, a new member has been inducted: Te-Hina Paopao.

The 5-foot-9 starting senior guard tallied four blocks against a Hoosiers team that trotted out eight players with an average height of 6 feet.

“Y’all see that? I’m really proud of myself. I had more blocks than 3s today,” Paopao said in the postgame news conference.

She then suggested she could now be part of the Gamecocks’ self-named “seatbelt gang.”

“The seatbelt gang is locking people up and putting them in a seat,” Johnson said. “They can’t get past us.”

Hall and Johnson agreed that with her performance against Indiana, Paopao officially earned her spot in the seatbelt gang. In her previous 34 games this season, she totaled just nine blocks.

“We were in the hallway before (Sunday’s) game, and she switched shoes,” Hall said. “She said, ‘These are not my defensive shoes, I got to put on my defensive shoes.’”

Paopao put on the new sneakers and burst into quick steps, saying, “Oh, yeah, I’m good.”

The Gamecocks’ defensive mindset comes from head coach Dawn Staley, who is in her 13th-straight NCAA Tournament with South Carolina.

“We’re a culture of playing defense, and if you don’t play it you stick out, and Pao is not one that wants to stick out in that way,” Staley said.

Said Johnson: “Coach is really big on defense; she tells us that we’re the best defensive team in the country.”

The seatbelt gang develops its defensive game in practice.

“Practice is where you have to get better,” Hall said, “Our practices are harder than the games.”

Johnson added that practices “make games so easy for us” because of their difficulty.

“You probably don’t even want to come to our practice,” she said. “It’s that hard.”

The seatbelt gang will be looking to buckle up the winner of Alabama-Maryland in the Sweet 16 on Friday.

Dylan Clearfield and Olivia Noni are students in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.

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New Indiana Democratic Party chair says opportunities for expansion exist

Published

13 hours ago

March 23, 2025

Press Room

New Indiana Democratic Party chair says opportunities for expansion exist

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The new chair of the Indiana Democratic Party said it’s possible to unify the party’s base while still appealing to new voters.

Former state Sen. Karen Tallian was elected party chair on March 15. In an interview with News 8 for All INdiana Politics, she said the party’s base has splintered and it’s time to bring everyone back together. Moreover, she said Democrats need to prioritize voter turnout, particularly among their own base. Even as this happens, she said she sees an opportunity to peel off voters exasperated with the direction the Republican Party has taken.

“I really believe that a lot of what’s going on right now has become so disruptive, so awful on so many different levels, that we will get to bring people back,” she said. “This is our opportunity to say, look, we are the party of working people and rational programs.”

Democrats have not won any statewide election since 2012 and have not won the governor’s race since 2000. To reverse that, Tallian said the party needs to bring people back to the table.

She said political attitudes ebb and flow over time and she expects voters will tire of Trump-style conservatism, particularly if it leads to gutting programs and services ranging from Social Security to national parks.

Tallian said the party should work to peel off disaffected Trump voters, such as some of those within organized labor. Some within the labor community have told Tallian they’re willing to come back to the Democratic camp.

“I think we can do this. I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t believe the Democratic party could not do this,” she said.

The Indiana Democratic Party has been rocked in recent months by sexual harassment scandals involving two Indianapolis Democrats.

In July and August, three former staffers accused Thomas Cook, former chief of staff and chief deputy mayor under Mayor Joe Hogsett, of making unwanted sexual advances. Then, in November, a total of six former staffers accused then-Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor of sexual harassment. Senate Democrats initially reelected Taylor to his post but later ousted him from leadership.

Tallian said the party as an organization can censure accused harassers if necessary but can do little otherwise because elected officials are responsible to voters and their caucuses, not the party organization itself. She said it’s up to the General Assembly to discipline any member accused of misconduct. As for party staff, Tallian said the Indiana Democratic Party recently updated its sexual harassment prevention policy and has a robust system in place.

All INdiana Politics airs at 9:30 a.m. Sundays on WISH-TV.

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South Carolina vs. Indiana prediction, picks for 2025 women’s basketball NCAA Tournament

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina vs. Indiana prediction, picks for 2025 women’s basketball NCAA Tournament

It’s South Carolina vs. Indiana in the 2025 NCAA Tournament first round. See our expert picks and predictions for the women’s March Madness bracket, along with betting odds and game time.

The 2025 NCAA women’s Tournament rolls into the second round on Sunday.

Defending national champ South Carolina, which holds a No. 1 seed, hosts No. 9 Indiana, a rematch of a Sweet 16 contest last season.

The Gamecocks (31-3) are aiming to make their 11th consecutive appearance in the Sweet 16, while the Hoosiers are looking to make the Sweet 16 for the fourth time ever and third time in the last four years.

Here’s how our experts see Sunday’s second-round game playing out. Be sure to check out USA TODAY’s complete March Madness bracket breakdown for in-depth analysis. While you’re at it, don’t forget to read our tournament upset picks and players who could make a splash.