Address: 100 South Capitol Avenue
Pricing: $8 per day in advance; $19.99 for July 17-19
Phone: 317-925-2702
Hours: Depends on event and location
How To Get There:
From the airport, take I-70 east into the downtown area. Take the
West Street exit, exit 79A. Turn left onto South Missouri/South West Street. Turn right onto West Maryland Street US-40 East. End at Capitol Street.
Parking:From $8 to $15 per day depending on lot
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Indiana Black Expo: USA's largest and longest-running annual African American celebration
Published: Jun 19, 2009
The country’s biggest, longest-running and most comprehensive exposition for African-Americans and other minorities returns a 39th time with the Indiana Black Expo annual summer celebration July 9-29 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.
More than 300,000 people from all over the country descend on downtown Indianapolis to participate in dozens of events, including special performances, exhibits, business seminars, job and health fairs, health screenings and children's activities. The festival is designed to provide something that will appeal to every age group.
Celebrities expected to appear include comedian Jamie Foxx, R&B singers Eric Benet and Ginuwine, former pro basketball player Magic Johnson, hip-hop artist Kid Capri, actress Gabrielle Union and soul singer Musiq Soulchild.
The first black expo, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in 1971, attracted more than 50,000 people, emphasizing cultural art, history and the personal and economic achievements of African-Americans while focusing that year on their contributions to Indiana’s economic growth.
The expo outgrew the original venue in a year, so it moved to the Indianapolis Convention Center and included more activities than the previous year. It’s grown steadily since then.
Events kick off this year with an ecumenical religious service on July 9. Other highlights include a two-day film festival; an extensive health fair for blacks and other minorities; celebrity basketball game; youth forum; music seminar; and equal opportunity job fair.
Tickets can be purchased directly through the Expo’s web site.
- by Jim Brown , Indianapolis Reporter for HelloMetro
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