Andy Keller

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana Black Expo (IBE) and Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) announced today that it has enhanced its partnership during IBE’s 2023 Summer Celebration which will take place from Thursday, July 6 through Sunday, July 16th.&nbsp; The expanded partnership consists of the following:

Other events during Summer Celebration include the largest Black and minority health fair in the country, an Education Conference that provides professional development training to Indiana educators and administrators, and a host of other events and initiatives. For a full calendar of events, visit summercelebration.net.&nbsp;

“PS&E and IBE have enjoyed a partnership aimed at enhancing outcomes for diverse communities in the state of Indiana for decades. In advance of next year’s 2024 NBA All-Star Game, it was natural to join forces to highlight the event and initiatives that will take place in Indianapolis as well as provide pertinent information to businessowners interested in participating in the NBA’s supplier diversity program,” said IBE President Alice Watson. Watson is also co-chair of the XBE Committee.

"Indiana Black Expo has been one of Indiana’s key organizations for more than five decades, elevating the voices of African American Hoosiers and attracting thousands of visitors to our capital city each year,” said Rick Fuson, PS&E Chief Executive Officer. “We have been a long-time partner of the Summer Celebration, and with the All White Affair coming to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, we are excited to make this a true All-Star Celebration in advance of next year’s game!”

The events highlighting IBE and PS&E’s partnership are:

Indiana Black Expo, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) statewide organization with 12-chapter affiliates. The mission of IBE is to serve as an effective voice and vehicle for the social and economic advancement of AfricanAmericans. IBE is known for its two major events, Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic® and provides year-round youth and family initiatives, including its Education Conference, recent Black Business Training

Institute, Performing Arts Academy, Community Learning Hub, Education Day (college fair), Summer Internship&nbsp; Program, Scholarship Fund, Statewide Anti-Tobacco Initiative, Youth Leadership Summit, Talent Day (Career Fair), and Business Series and Conference.

About Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E)

Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) is the corporate identity exemplified by the Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Pacers Gaming, Pacers Foundation, Inc., and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Its team of inspired and dedicated employees promises to deliver quality entertainment and unparalleled service.

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KEY POINTS:•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;PS&E and the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) are once again teaming up to give diverse Hoosier young professionals hands-on experience in the sports and entertainment industry.•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;The program offers participants the chance to learn through hands-on experiences, work on meaningful projects across the company, and network with Pacers and Fever leadership.&nbsp;•&nbsp; &nbsp; The application can be found at&nbsp;https://marcusgrahamproject.org/icr8-programs/, and the application deadline is January 6, 2023.•&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;MGP was one of the inaugural grantees of the NBA Foundation, which was created in 2020 through ten-year funding committed by each of the League’s thirty owners.

INDIANAPOLIS –&nbsp;For the second consecutive year, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the Marcus Graham Project (MGP) are teaming up to give talented diverse Hoosiers the chance to gain meaningful experience and network with leadership in Indiana's sports and entertainment industry. Applicants can apply at&nbsp;https://marcusgrahamproject.org/icr8-programs/, and applications are due no later than January 6, 2023.

Tipping off January 24, 2023, the four-day experience will again bring a cohort of dynamic young leaders to PS&E for mentorship, networking, and project-based learning. Twenty-five participants will be selected for this year's program and divided into workshop teams. Each team will be assigned a project brief and asked to come up with a comprehensive solution utilizing all marketing assets made available to them. Projects will focus on different areas of the company, like guest experience, marketing, and more. Projects will then be presented to a panel of guest judges on the last day of the program, and PS&E will select one standout participant to attend MGP's iCR8 Summer BootCamp in Los Angeles.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Developing a pipeline of talented and diverse leaders is critical to the future of our industry, our city, and our state, and we are excited to have these incredible young professionals with us for the week,” said Rick Fuson, PS&E President & Chief Operating Officer. “We are grateful to MGP for their partnership, and we are thrilled to once again have them bring their impactful program to PS&E.”

MGP was among the very first grantees to receive support in 2020 from the NBA Foundation, the organization created through $10 million commitments from each of the NBA’s thirty owners to drive economic empowerment in Black communities through employment and career advancement.

"Indiana is home to some of greatest basketball fans in the world and the same goes for the pool of talent in the state. The Marcus Graham Project’s partnership with PS&E is a necessary bridge of access to opportunities and we’ve already witnessed successful outcomes from our first Sports Marketing Workshop,” said Brandon L. Washington, MGP Global Operations Director. “We are beyond excited to be working with PSE as we continue the widening of our pipeline that will train, develop, and place talent into opportunities in the Sports, Media/Entertainment and Creative industry.”

For more information on MGP and their program, visit&nbsp;www.marcusgrahamproject.com.&nbsp;

About the Marcus Graham ProjectThe Marcus Graham Project (MGP) is a network with the intent strategically focused on building the next generation of leadership in the advertising & marketing industry through mentorship & career development. The MGP’s iCR8™ programs are designed to provide diverse aspirants in the field of marketing and media, including advertising, PR & social media with the exposure and experience necessary to solidify careers within the industry. Since founding in 2005, MGP has impacted more than 2,500 members and alumni internationally.

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