Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 July 2005 — Page 76

50 July 8, 2005

The Indianapolis Recorder

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Indiana Black Expo continues to see growth

By ERICKA C. WHEELER Staff Writer

Since 1970, Indiana Black Expo (IBE) has been empowering Hoosiers by offering health, wealth, scholarship and youthful advancement. Annually, the IBE staff and board of directors provide the community with an overall look at their earnings, expenses, future endeavors and other information on their works throughout the community including their two biggest events - Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic. The year 2005 marks the 35 th anniversary of Summer Celebration and leaders of the event hope to gain more participation. It will be July 7-17 in the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome. “(The year) 2004 was a success and we could not have done it without you (sponsors and participants),” said Tony Mason, executive director of Circle City Classic. In 2004, more than 300,000 took part in Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration weeklong events. More than 128,000 health screenings were performed at the annual health fair, which has grown to become one of the largest health fairs in the country. “The success of 24 programs within our program could not happen without you,” said Tanasha Anders vice president of Youth and Family Programs for IBE. During their annual report meeting, the 19 members that make up the full-time staff at the IBE office and their more than 1,000 volunteers continuously thanked the community and their supporters for their constant increase in the growth of their programs and increase in sponsorship. From 2003 to 2004, IBE generated an additional $89,600 in net assets at the close of the 2004 fiscal year - ending in December. Those figures continue to make a generous impact financially for the city of Indianapolis - pouring in nearly $35 million for their Summer Celebration event alone. IBE staff is diligently planning for the 35 th anniversary celebration and have secured special guests - artist Annie Lee and author E. Lynn Harris - as apart of the Indianapolis/Marion County Public Library book-signing event. The traditional kickoff party has been moved from Thursday to Friday and had become their official 35 th Anniversary Party.

“We are trying to plan a lot of new things, and we are really excited about unveiling the Rev. Charles Williams prostate cancer mobile unit,” said Alpha Garrett, director of communications for IBE. “ We look forward to honoring Rev. Williams during this year’s celebration.” Williams, longtime head of IBE, died of prostate cancer last summer. In addition to supplying the community with IBE’s financial contributions and growth of their many programs, Alpha Blackburn, chairman of the board for the Indiana Museum of African American History, and president and CEO of Blackburn Architects provided an update on the museum. “After conducting the Johnson Rose Nichols feasibility study, we were ecstatic to see the results of the study,” Blackburn said. “Not only is the museum going to be a success because the people want it, but it will also be top notch.” Blackburn, with the acceptance of her now 21 board of director members, has named Rita C. Organ as the first executive director of the museum. Organ comes from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati and has experience with the Indianapolis Children’s Museum. Karen Hughes was named assistant director. Ground has been broken for the museum to be built in White River State Park near the Indiana State Museum and the NCAA headquarters. A fund-raising committee consisting of seven prominent community leaders has been formed, and the first public fund-raising event is scheduled for early next year, and will headed by Kathy Jordan of Pacers Sports and Entertainment and Eugene Anderson with the City of Indianapolis. The overall structure of the museum will include four levels of exhibition. The building will be a glass tower with a waterfall on the first level. A theater, and limestone entryway and museum gift store will make up the first level. The second level will include an open bridge that will connect to three galleries including a geology lab and space for exhibit storage. The third floor will be made up of more museum space and offices for the museum staff, and the fourth floor will house the IBE office space and staff, and kitchen and outdoor cafe.