Indiana Black Expo

What Indiana Black Expo does

Indiana Black Expo (IBE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community service organization founded in 1970 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. IBE operates as a year-round, event-anchored platform serving the social and economic advancement of African American youth and families across Indiana through 12 chapter affiliates statewide. Its core programs include the Black Business Training Institute (a free 12-week business management program for Black-owned businesses), Performing Arts Academy (ages 13-19), Education Conference, Business Conference, Scholarship Fund, and signature events Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic, which together attract more than 400,000 attendees annually and generate approximately $28 million in annual local economic spending.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across corporate sponsorships (Delta Faucet, KeyBank Foundation), individual donations, government and foundation grants (CARES Act $500,000 in 2020; KeyBank Foundation $300,000 in 2022), license plate contributions ($25 tax-deductible), and event-related revenue streams including Corporate Luncheon tickets and tables. Programmatic channels include events, community chapters, and partner organizations (Indiana University, Indianapolis Urban League, SBDC, Mid-States MSDC). Most programs and events are free to attendees, with monetization occurring on the sponsorship and donor side rather than through direct participant fees.

Operationally, IBE employs 11-50 staff (with hundreds of additional volunteers), occupies a 45,000+ square-foot eastside Indianapolis campus purchased in 2019, and maintains cross-sector partnerships with state government, HBCUs, and corporate sponsors. Leadership transitioned in January 2023 with Alice Watson succeeding Tanya Mckinzie as President & CEO. The organization has distributed more than $5 million in college scholarships since 1983, trained over 15,000 educators, and served 1,200 Indiana small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Name

Indiana Black Expo

Legal name

Indiana Black Expo, Inc.

Website

https://indianablackexpo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Indiana Black Expo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 that advances social and economic opportunities for African American youth and families in Indiana through signature events, education, and business training programs across 12 statewide chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Community Services

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts Education & Community Arts Programs (BPAGAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB), Professional & Certification Expos Organizers (THAHABAD), Special Education & Accessibility-Optimized Media (UDL, AAC, Captioning) (EDAGALAH)

Keywords

• Community empowerment programs
• Small business training
• Youth development services
• Education conferences
• Cultural event management

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Major Fundraising Events: Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic are annual fundraisers that generate local spending and support year-round youth and family programs. These events include concerts, exhibitions, corporate luncheons, and athletic events.
2. License Plate Program: Indiana residents can purchase IBE license plates for $25 tax-deductible contribution plus regular registration fees. Low-digit plates available for additional fees. Personalized plates cost $45 annually.
3. Donations and Contributions: Individual and corporate donations support year-round youth and family programs including scholarships, Black Business Training Institute, Performing Arts Academy, and other community initiatives.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support various programs and events including Business Conference presenting sponsors, Education Conference sponsors, and general organizational support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Indiana Black Expo (IBE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers community empowerment programs, cultural events, and educational services for African American youth and families in Indiana. Its core offerings include the Black Business Training Institute (a 12-week business management program), the Performing Arts Academy (youth arts training), large-scale fundraising events (Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic), the Education Conference, the Business Conference, scholarship programs, and a network of 12 chapter affiliates across Indiana.

Product overview

Indiana Black Expo is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community service organization offering a portfolio of programs and events rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include the Black Business Training Institute (a 12-week business management program for Black entrepreneurs), the Performing Arts Academy (youth training in music, dance, acting, and media), the annual Summer Celebration event, Circle City Classic HBCU football event, Education Conference for professional development, and the Scholarship Fund. Additional programs include the Summer Internship Program, Youth Leadership Summit, Employment Opportunity Fair, Business Conference, Statewide Anti-Tobacco Initiative, and Community Learning Hub. Together, these programs aim to advance social and economic opportunities for African American youth and families in Indiana.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Black Business Training Institute (BBTI) A free 12-week business management program for Black-owned small businesses providing practical skills training, financial management education, marketing guidance, and access to capital resources, with a $5,000 award for top performers and eligibility for growth grants.
• Performing Arts Academy A youth development program for ages 13-19 offering training in dance, music production, acting, videography, and photography, combined with academic support and Black History enrichment.
• Summer Celebration

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $5 million in college scholarships provided since 1983
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Allergy & Asthma NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2026Allergy & Asthma Network bringing its Trusted Messengers initiative to the IBE Health Fair at Summer Celebration 2026, offering free respiratory screenings, health education, and breathing tests.
• Delta Faucet CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 June 2022Delta Faucet Company collaborates with IBE to advance economics equity work and serve as presenting sponsor of the Business Conference. Partnership includes workshops on certification and procurement opportunities for businesses.
• State of Indiana / Governor Eric HolcombcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2020Governor Holcomb approved $500,000 in federal CARES Act funding for IBE to launch a statewide promotional campaign and community outreach programs to raise awareness of COVID-19 economic and workforce recovery resources for minority businesses.
• Central Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE partnered with Central Indiana SBDC to engage Jean Poole, CEO of E Cubed Performance LLC, as a business advisor working with BTI participants. SBDC provides statewide and regional programs to support community-based businesses.
• Indianapolis Urban LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE partnered with Indianapolis Urban League to support Black business owners in the BTI program.
• InnopowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE partnered with Innopower alongside the Indianapolis Urban League to support Black business owners.
• Indianapolis Black ChamberminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE partnered with Indianapolis Black Chamber to provide comprehensive support to Black business owners.
• Mid-States Minority Supplier Development CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE partnered with Mid-States MSDC to ensure Black businesses receive comprehensive support through the BTI program.
• Indiana State Department of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE partnered with Indiana State Department of Health to provide COVID-19 testing at IBE headquarters from June 8-30, 2020, offering free testing daily from 9 AM to 7 PM.
• Indianapolis Recorder Media GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic coalition between IBE and Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper (125+ years old) to drive social and economic change. Collaboration helped provide tools and resources to 1,200 Indiana small businesses during the pandemic. IBX Power Pitch Competition partnership.
• Indiana UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndiana University partners with IBE for the annual Education Conference, providing professional development for educators and administrators across the country.
• Indiana Civil Rights CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in presenting the 12th Annual Indiana University Education Conference focused on raising the bar for equity in education.
• Indiana Department of Child ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in presenting the 12th Annual Indiana University Education Conference.
• Delta Faucet CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDelta Faucet Company sponsored panels on workforce diversity and inclusion during the Minority Business Series virtual meetings.
• Movin' LegacyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBE collaborated with Movin' Legacy (501(c)3 nonprofit) to feature the first annual Dance Heritage Festival at Summer Celebration, bringing together dance professionals who have worked with icons like Beyoncé and Usher.
• Indiana SBDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Black Business Training Institute to provide technical support and business advice to program participants through the Indiana Small Business Development Center network.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• National Black Chamber of Commerce: The National Black Chamber of Commerce advocates for Black business development, procurement access, and economic empowerment. IBE partners with the Indianapolis Black Chamber and Mid-States MSDC to support Black business owners, paralleling NBCC's national supplier diversity and business development mission.
• UNCF (United Negro College Fund): UNCF is the largest minority education organization providing scholarships and operating member HBCUs. IBE's $5M+ scholarship program since 1983, HBCU football classic (Circle City Classic with Jackson State and Kentucky State), and Education Conference targeting educator development directly overlap UNCF's education and scholarship mission.
• 100 Black Men of America: 100 Black Men of America is a mentorship and youth development organization operating 100+ chapters serving Black youth through education, mentoring, and leadership programs. IBE's Youth Leadership Summit, Performing Arts Academy (ages 13-19), and Summer Internship Program mirror this youth development charter.
• National Black MBA Association: National Black MBA Association is a professional development organization serving Black business leaders through conferences, networking, and education programs. IBE's Business Conference with workshops on procurement, certification, and the Black Business Training Institute directly parallel NBMBAA's professional development and business training mission.

Broad incumbents

• NAACP: NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, with 2,200+ units across the country working on social justice, education equity, and economic empowerment. Both organizations pursue overlapping missions around African American advancement, scholarships, and advocacy on issues like HB 1006 law enforcement reform cited in IBE's work.
• National Council of Negro Women: NCNW is a service organization with 2,400+ chapters and 200K+ members focused on African American women, families, and communities through education, economic empowerment, and health initiatives. IBE's community empowerment, health fair, and youth/family focus areas overlap NCNW's programming taxonomy.
• National Urban League: The National Urban League is the largest African-American nonprofit civil rights and economic empowerment organization in the U.S., operating with 90+ affiliates nationwide. IBE's Indianapolis chapter model, Black Business Training Institute, scholarship programs, and youth development tracks mirror the Urban League playbook at a regional scale.
• National Action Network: National Action Network is a leading civil rights organization founded by Al Sharpton that operates nationally with chapters on social justice, economic development, and youth programs. IBE's annual convention-style gatherings, scholarship programs, and justice advocacy parallel NAN's organizing model.
• Congressional Black Caucus Foundation: CBCF operates the Annual Legislative Conference, scholarships, and leadership institutes for African Americans. IBE's Business Conference featuring Mayor's Breakfast and Governor's Reception, plus scholarship fund, mirrors CBCF's convention-plus-policy platform at a state scale.

Emerging players

• National Urban Fellows: National Urban Fellows is a leadership development and education nonprofit targeting underrepresented professionals for public sector and nonprofit careers. It overlaps IBE's scholarship and professional development programming at a more selective scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/INBlackExpoInc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/IndianaBlackExpoYVI
• Facebookfacebook.com/IndianaBlackExpoInc
• Instagraminstagram.com/inblackexpoinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Indiana Black Expo