All Roads Lead to Indy: Why We Show Up
- The Chronicle News
- 17 hours ago
- 2 min read
Festival-goers gather in joyful unity, celebrating culture, community, and the power of Black presence at events like the Indiana Black Expo. These moments are more than entertainment—they are affirmations of legacy, pride, and purpose.
Image created by The Chronicle Media Group. Visual representation based on archival inspiration and digital artistry.
In just a few days, Indianapolis will pulse with energy as the 54th Annual Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration unfolds July 17–20 at the Indiana Convention Center. What began in 1971 as a fundraiser in the wake of Chicago’s Operation PUSH has grown to become one of the Midwest’s most enduring cultural cornerstones.
Why We Show Up
For over five decades, Black communities across Indiana—and beyond—have converged on this city to celebrate heritage, grow businesses, and nurture unity through shared stories and shared meals. As a Black woman-led publication rooted in Lansing’s heartbeat, The Chronicle News and Chronicle Media Group honor that legacy. We’re showing up not just to report on events, but to carry forward the spirit of empowerment that IBE embodies through scholarships, economic training, health screenings, and creative showcase.
That’s why you’ll find us at Corner Booth 814—right in the heart of the action.
Amplifying Community Voices
We may not yet know all the local leaders or exhibitors who will join us in Indy, but we’re leaning into those who represent Black excellence back home. This issue spotlights Michigan voices and Black Midwest legacies who inspire us daily, even if their stories unfold beyond state lines.
How to Prepare for a Powerful Weekend
Here’s how to own the Expo:
Wear comfortable shoes—there’s walking, talking, and witnessing to do.
Bring your QR codes—yours, theirs, and ours (we’re going all digital).
Support our vendors, because every booth holds a dream.
Come see us—Corner Booth 814—we’d love to connect.
Our Invitation to You
We’re not just printing the stories. We are the story. We’re the daughters of Black radio—the grandsons of the Black press. We publish the paper, push the culture, and preserve our people’s truth.
Come see us at Corner Booth 814. Say hello. Pick up the paper. Tell us your story. Let’s make this Expo feel like ours—Midwestern and unapologetically Black.
Connect. Contribute. Carry it forward.