Each summer, the heart of Indianapolis beats louder with pride, unity, and purpose as the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration takes over the city. As one of the largest and longest-running cultural events of its kind in the United States, this iconic gathering uplifts, entertains, educates, and empowers—bringing together tens of thousands of people from across the country to honor Black excellence and heritage.
Founded in 1970, the Indiana Black Expo (IBE) has grown from a small, grassroots initiative into a powerful statewide organization advocating for economic and social advancement in Indiana’s African American communities. The Summer Celebration, its flagship event, is more than a festival—it’s a movement that combines entertainment, education, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement under one powerful banner.
The 2025 Summer Celebration, held July 11–20 in downtown Indianapolis, will feature over 10 days of diverse programming and events. Highlights include the star-studded Music Heritage Concert, business and education conferences, the Corporate Luncheon, health and wellness expos, a celebrity basketball game, and the crowd-favorite Family Fun Zone. The famed Black & White Gala remains one of the most anticipated events of the season, drawing leaders from business, politics, and the arts for a night of elegance and purpose.
For small business owners and entrepreneurs, the Exhibitor Marketplace provides a rare platform to reach new customers and network with larger corporations. IBE’s commitment to youth is evident in the Youth Leadership Summit, giving teens tools to thrive in education, careers, and life. At every turn, the event encourages Black achievement, collaboration, and pride in heritage.
This year’s theme—“Legacy in Motion”—pays tribute to the generations that laid the foundation for progress, while focusing on the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers rising today. With keynote speakers, community forums, and thought-provoking panels on topics from social justice to health disparities, the Celebration also provides a platform for critical conversations affecting Black Hoosiers and Black Americans at large.
More than just an event, the Summer Celebration is a homecoming—a safe space to connect with culture, history, family, and opportunity. It is also a testimony to the resilience and brilliance of the Black community, proudly on display in the heartland of America.
Whether you come for the music, the networking, the empowerment, or the culture, the Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration is a must-experience event that continues to inspire, uplift, and ignite change. Mark your calendar, bring your family, and come be part of the legacy.
For more information, tickets, or a full schedule of events, visit www.indianablackexpo.com.
