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.
(The REPORTER) — The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, June 10, regarding a proposed corridor improvement project on State Road 32 in Hamilton County.
The hearing will provide an opportunity for the public to interact with the project team, review the features of the proposed roundabout project, and provide official public comment. Project documents are available for review at improvetomove32.com.
The project area is between East Street in Westfield and River Road in Noblesville. The proposed project includes adding lanes to accommodate two lanes in each direction, removing all traffic signals within the project limits, and constructing roundabouts at the following intersections with SR 32:
- Carey Road/Grassy Branch Road
- Gunther Boulevard
- Shady Nook Road
- Moontown Road/Gray Road
- Pebble Brook Boulevard
- Hazel Dell Road/Little Chicago Road
- Mill Creek Road
The hearing will take place at Prairie Waters Event Center, 4180 Westfield Road, Westfield. Doors will open at 5 p.m. to allow the public to view displays and talk with the project team. A presentation will be given at 5:30 p.m., with a public comment session held directly after. INDOT is offering livestreams of all public meetings and hearings. You must register here in order to participate in the livestream. Livestream audience comments will only be accepted in written electronic form, not verbally. A recording of the livestream presentation will be posted on the project webpage and INDOT YouTube page after the hearing and will be available for at least 90 days.
All verbal statements recorded during the public hearing and all written comments submitted prior to, during and for a period of two weeks following the hearing date, will be evaluated, considered, and addressed in subsequent environmental documentation.
Written comments may be submitted within the comment period to Nick Batta, CMT, 8790 Purdue Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268; or sent via email to SR32HamiltonCounty@cmtengr.com.
INDOT respectfully requests comments be submitted by June 26.
A beloved tradition is drawing stitchers, shoppers, and curious newcomers across the region.
If you have ever walked into a quilt shop “just to look,” you already know how that story ends. One minute you are admiring a cheerful stack of fabric with names like sunflower, buttercream, and cardinal red, and the next you are seriously considering whether your house has room for a new table runner, a holiday wall hanging, and perhaps a life-changing bundle of fat quarters. Quilt shops have that effect. They are part treasure hunt, part therapy session, part color explosion, and in Southeastern Indiana, they are also some of the friendliest gathering places around.
That is especially true during the ALL INDIANA SHOP HOP, the statewide sewing and quilting event running through June 30, 2026.
The idea is delightfully simple: visit participating quilt shops, collect passport stamps, pick up thank-you gifts, and become eligible for prizes. The official event even describes it as a quilting version of a bar crawl, only with less late-night regret and more batting, bobbins, and beautiful fabric. There is even a youth passport for ages 8 to 17, which is a nice reminder that quilting is not just a pastime handed down from grandparents. It is also being discovered by a new generation who like making things by hand, repurposing fabric to help the environment, learning skills online, and sharing their creations proudly.
And really, quilting has everything going for it. It is practical, creative, social, and just a little bit magical.
A quilt can be a baby gift, a comfort during a hard season, a graduation present, a family heirloom, or simply a way to make a couch look much more put together than the people sitting on it. Quilters are surgeons with rotary cutters, artists with thread, and storytellers with fabric. They notice pattern, texture, memory, and meaning. Even non-quilters tend to fall under the spell. You do not need to know how to piece a block to appreciate the patience, skill, and imagination it takes to turn small shapes into something that warms both the room and the people in it.
That is one reason local quilt shops matter so much.
Yes, they sell fabric, books, notions, patterns, batting, and tools that can make a beginner feel both excited and slightly underqualified. But they also do something online shopping cannot: they welcome people in. Good quilt shops are places where somebody will help you match prints, explain what on earth a layer cake is, admire your progress, and gently steer you away from a fabric choice you may regret in broad daylight. They are equal parts classroom, clubhouse, and creative headquarters.
Southeastern Indiana is lucky to have several shops that make a Shop Hop route feel less like an errand list and more like a mini road trip with excellent scenery and even better conversation.
In Versailles, The Quilter’s Nook has become a creative quilting and sewing destination with classes, learning opportunities, and plenty of supplies and inspiration for anyone wanting to sharpen their skills or finally start that project they have been thinking about for two years. In Greensburg, Tree City Stitches is known for its premium fabrics, project kits, classes, and welcoming atmosphere, with plenty of samples on display to spark ideas before you even make it to the cutting counter.
In Vevay, Cardinal Quilts offers a deep fabric selection, quilting classes, and longarm services, making it the kind of place where serious quilters can stock up and newcomers can get helpful guidance without a trace of intimidation. And in Madison, L&L Yard Goods has been operating in the same location since 1986, offering quilting essentials, classes, and the sort of steady hometown presence that makes people come back year after year.
Together, these shops help keep quilting visible, vibrant, and local.
They also provide handmade quilts for community projects, children’s hospitals, veterans, and emergency services just like the early quilters did centuries ago.
So if your summer plans could use a little more color, a little more small-town charm,
and maybe a little more excuse to buy fabric you absolutely do not need but definitely deserve, the Shop Hop is calling. Bring a friend, bring your passport, and bring a willingness to be delighted by places where craftsmanship still matters and people still make beautiful things with their hands.
In Southeastern Indiana, quilting is more than a hobby.
It is history from the days of early pioneers, hospitality that warms you, creativity and community all stitched together one square at a time.
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