Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 August 1998 — Page 28
The Muncie Times, August 6,1998, Page 28
Indy Black Expo has successful celebration
By The Editor The 28th Annual Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration is now history. But in its wake is a legacy of another success by what is reputedly the biggest black event of its kind. While Indiana Black Expo (IBE) President and CEO the Rev. Charles Williams and 'many of his staff took a wellneeded vacation right after Summer Soul Fest was over, for others it was time to return home. Hundreds of thousands of people from across the
country had converged on the Hoosier capital to enjoy the event. Under the theme “Strengthening our Youth...Mind, Body & Soul II,” they had come to one of the premier entertaining events of the year. As usual, this year’s event was a potpourri of activities, events and offerings, with virtually something for everybody who came, regardless of race, color, education or economic class. Vendors’ booths at the Indiana Convention Center bristled with merchandise, from
jewelry to African carvings, from university literature to fraternity and sorority paraphernalia, from banks, mortgage and insurance companies parading their wares to those selling African and Africanoriented clothing and hats. There were also numerous books, arts and artifacts. There was a United Way Minority Volunteer Recognition Breakfast, a boxing tournament, an Age of Communication Village, a Minority Health Fair, Employment Opportunity Fair, a reception for African American elected offi-
Home equity or home improvement loans ... they're both priced to sell!
V
As low as 8.80 % APR
No appraisal fees
No title fees
24 hour approvals
Apply by phone
We are out to reduce our summer loan inventory by offering an irresistible 8.80% annual percentage rate with no loan fees and 24 hour approvals. Plus, we have the money you need for home improvements, vacations, tuition, debt consolidation, and more — in stock. To apply for your Summer Green, visit your nearest STAR Financial Bank or give us a call at 751-3500 for a convenient loan by phone. But hurry, this liquidation is limited to stock on hand and valid only while supplies last. 4 STAR
Apply today! 765-751-3500
FISASCIAT, — II A IV K “Hoosier Owned & Hoosier Proud”
400 N. HIGH STREET IN MUNCIE
*8.80% Annual Percent.
months or less anc auto-paymerlt will
nual less <
ercentage Rate valid on home equity and home improvement loans with terms of 60 id requires automated payment. Terms greater than 60 months and/or refusal to use II result in a higher APR. Call or visit for details. Subject to approval. Member FDIC.
cials, an African/Edenic Heritage Museum, an ecumenical service, an NBA Jam Van, Youth Jam for Jesus, a golf tournament and a governor’s reception that had as its special guest, Muncie-bom actress Cynda Williams. There was more. The Hoosier Lottery was represented. So were a number of government agencies, fire and police departments and school districts. Non-profit organization were everywhere. As were booths selling clothing and baseball caps. Among the provocative ones were those Tshirts that boldly declared, x “Dangerous...An Educated \ Black Woman” or “: When God Made a Black Woman, He Was Merely Showing Off.” Regardless of musical taste, one could always find during Summer Soul Test’s Music Heritage festivals and numerous evening concerts. For some, there was gospel music. The Whispers were there. So were Jody Watley, Montell Jordan, Confunkshun Lakeside, Gap and SOS bands LSG, K-Ci & Jojo and Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly. In keeping with this year’s theme of focusing on young people, there were numerous events and functions for those in the lower age brackets. These included a 3-day IBE National Youth Conference workshops and symposia, mentoring sessions, plus Children’s Day activities and Kids’ World virtually every day. Harvard psychiatrist Dr. Alvin Poussaint, a former consultant to the television series “The Cosby Show,” was among those brought in to talk to young people. He urged them to use their brains more and watch television less. “One of the problems for black children is they i watch too much televi- / sion.”
“It’s passive. You don’t do anything but press remote controls and be entertained. Young people watch TV to avoid using their brains and their brains get moldy,” Poussaint said. Another youth-oriented speaker was Ainde JeanBaptiste, 15, who gainet 1 fame when he spoke at the 1995 Million Man March in Washington, D. C. Jean-Baptiste was this year’s IBE winner of the Outstanding Youth Achievement Award. Jean-Baptiste delivered the IBE’s Corporate Luncheon address at which he challenged other young people to accept responsibility for their actions. “To a certain extent,” he said, “everyone eventually comes to the realization of what’s right and what’s wrong. You have to make a decision: if you want good things in your life in the long run you have no choice but to choose what you know to be right.” In a published interview, he also said his peers have to decide whether it’s more important to do homework, play ball or hang out in the street. “They have control over whether or not they study for their tests,” he said. According to IBE Public Relations Manger Twyler Jenkins, Black Expo is the “longest running cultural expedition in the country.” Jenkins said Black Expo started out as a job fair at the Indiana State Fairgrounds almost three decades ago. It has grown and grown to a point where, she said, it is about to outgrow the RCA Dome. IBE is a non-profit humanitarian organization open to people of all races. It is dedicated to trying to promote and maintain the cultural heritage of African Americans. It has also begun to focus more on youth issues because IBE recognizes the vital role young people in fostering that heritage and that cultural enlightenment.