Indiana
Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration, which starts earlier than usual, is in full swing
Indiana Black Expo Vernice Williams has served for decades
Catching up with early Indiana Black Expo organizer Vernice Williams on June 30, 2021.
Michelle Pemberton, Indianapolis Star
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.
Register at indianablackexpo.com/ibe-business-conference/.
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.
Register at summercelebration.net.
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.
Register at indianablackexpo.com/ibe-education-conference.
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.
INDIANAPOLIS — Officials with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles are warning Indiana residents of a new scam that is being sent to Hoosiers via text.
According to a news release from the Indiana BMV, the scam asks the user for overdue payments over text, including traffic violations or unpaid tolls. The text reportedly “strongly” mimics the BMV’s mobile website and improperly cites Indiana code.
Officials said the messages should be considered fraudulent. The BMV is urging people who receive the message to delete it immediately and not click on any links.
This is not the first time that the Indiana BMV has been the subject of scam texts. According to previous reports, a scam was sent out to some Indiana residents from the “Indiana Department of Vehicles” regarding outstanding traffic tickets in early June.
“We want to make it clear that these messages are not from the Indiana BMV,” the release said. “The BMV does not send SMS text messages about outstanding penalties. In fact, the fees outlined in the messages are not ones that the agency actually collects.”
For a list of known BMV-related scams, click here.
Police have launched a search for two stolen endangered tortoises after the Indianapolis Zoo waited 11 days to report them missing.
An Egyptian tortoise and a Northern Spider tortoise, both of which are on the critically endangered species list, were taken from their enclosure in the zoo’s desert exhibit between 10 a.m. local time on October 11 and 10 a.m. on October 12, Indiana State Police say.
Captain Ron Galaviz with the Indiana State Police confirmed to Fox 59 that the tortoises were not reported missing until last Thursday.
On Monday, authorities asked for the public’s help in finding the two tortoises in a Facebook post.
Facebook users questioned how the theft could’ve happened.
“I’m curious how exactly you steal not one but TWO tortoises from a Zoo?” one user wrote.
To which another replied, “We recently went to the Indianapolis zoo and they’re not in a really closed encounter. They’re just smack in the middle with very accessible fence type thing you could reach in and pick it up.”
“How do you walk out of the zoo with 2 turtles? That must be a big rain coat,” a third user commented.
But Galaviz explained the tortoises stolen were rather small.
“The tortoises are not the large giant tortoises that you see people sitting on and riding around on,” he told Fox 59. “These are actually very small, probably fit in the palm of your hand.”
Galaviz said the tortoises can be anywhere by now.
“They could end up in a pet store. They could be in somebody’s personal aquarium somewhere that obviously we don’t know, [the] black market. I think the possibilities run the gamut,” he said.
The Independent has reached out to the zoo for comment and Indiana State Police for updates on the tortoises’ whereabouts.
According to the zoo’s website, the Egyptian tortoises are typically four inches long and weigh one pound, and are endangered due to habitat loss and pet trade. Northern Spider tortoises, which are five inches long and weigh one pound, suffer from habitat loss and poaching.
Jake Oakman, a spokesperson for the zoo, said in a statement shared by ABC News, it is “working closely with law enforcement to investigate the theft.”
“We continue to hope for their safe return and we appreciate the community’s support during this time,” Oakman said.
Indiana State Police asked anyone with information that could help them in the search for the tortoises to contact police.
The 2025 Indiana high school football playoffs began with the Class 5A through Class 1A sectionals on October 24. The Class 6A sectionals begin on October 31.
High School On SI has brackets for every classification in the Indiana high school football playoffs. The playoffs culminate with the state championships on November 28 and 29 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
2025 Indiana (IHSAA) Class 1A Football Bracket (select to view full bracket details)
October 31, 2025 at 7 p.m.
North Judson-San Pierre at LaVille
Bowman Academy at West Central
Pioneer at Frontier
Taylor at Carroll
North Miami at Southwood
Triton at Fremont
Hagerstown at Monroe Central
South Adams at Tri
South Putnam at Fountain Central
North Central at Riverton Parke
Clinton Prairie at Sheridan
Cloverdale at Tindley
Eastern Greene at Milan
Knightstown at North Decatur
Springs Valley at Providence
Tecumseh at North Daviess
2025 Indiana (IHSAA) Class 2A Football Bracket
Friday, October 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Andrean at Wheeler
Rensselaer Central at Bremen
Southmont at Western Boone
Seeger at Cass
Manchester at Eastside
Adams Central at Bluffton
Eastbrook at Rochester
Eastern at Tipton
Park Tudor at Indianapolis Lutheran
Heritage Christian at Monrovia
Northeastern at Triton Central
Lapel at Eastern Hancock
Sullivan at North Posey
Greencastle at Linton-Stockton
Clarksville at Switzerland County
Brownstown Central at Paoli
2025 Indiana (IHSAA) Class 3A Football Bracket
Friday, October 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Calumet New Tech at Mishawaka Marian
Griffith at Knox
Garrett at Lakeland
Angola at West Noble
Peru at Twin Lakes
Western at Frankton
Mississinewa at Jay County
Norwell at Fort Wayne Bishop Luers
Cascade at Tri-West Hendricks
Crawfordsville at Guerin Catholic
Lawrenceburg at Franklin County
Greensburg at South Dearborn
Indian Creek at Madison
North Harrison at Scottsburg
Evansville Memorial at Gibson Southern
Southridge at Evansville Mater Dei
2025 Indiana (IHSAA) Class 4A Football Bracket
Friday, October 31, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
East Chicago Central vs Lowell
Hobart vs Kankakee Valley
Mishawaka vs Plymouth
South Bend St. Joseph vs Northridge
East Noble vs Fort Wayne South Side
Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger vs Columbia City
Lebanon vs Frankfort
Logansport vs Muncie Central
Beech Grove vs Yorktown
Greenfield-Central vs Pendleton Heights
Roncalli vs Danville
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory vs Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
Shelbyville vs Bedford North Lawrence
Charlestown vs Martinsville
Heritage Hills vs Reitz
Evansville Harrison vs Jasper
2025 Indiana (IHSAA) Class 5A Football Bracket
October 31, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Munster at Hammond Central
Merrillville at Hammond Morton
Michigan City at Valparaiso
LaPorte at Chesterton
Warsaw at Concord
Fort Wayne North Side at Goshen
Jefferson at McCutcheon
Kokomo at South Bend Adams
Cathedral at Anderson
New Palestine at Plainfield
Franklin Community at East Central
Columbus East at Whiteland
Terre Haute North Vigo at Bloomington North
Terre Haute South Vigo at Bloomington South
Evansville North at New Albany
Floyd Central at Castle
2025 Indiana (IHSAA) Class 6A Football Bracket
October 31, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Lake Central at Crown Point
Penn at Portage
Carroll at Elkhart
Snider at Fort Wayne Northrop
Zionsville at Westfield
Harrison at Carmel
Hamilton Southeastern at Homestead
Fishers at Noblesville
Ben Davis at Avon
Pike at Brownsburg
North Central at Decatur Central
Lawrence Central at Lawrence North
Southport at Arsenal Technical
Warren Central at Perry Meridian
Jeffersonville at Center Grove
Columbus North at Franklin Central
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