Indy readies for dual WNBA All-Star, Indiana Black Expo celebration
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On the same July night, WNBA stars will shoot three-pointers in Gainbridge and Keith Sweat will make a crowd swoon at Carroll Stadium. Photos: Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images and Prince Williams/WireImage
Regardless of the forecast, mid-July is poised to be the hottest stretch of summer in Indianapolis.
Why it matters: Indiana Black Expo's Summer Celebration and WNBA All-Star 2025 sharing calendar and venue space means the city will need to accommodate two marquee events and countless community-focused initiatives all at once.
What they're saying: Mel Raines, CEO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said the first call she made after being contacted by the league about All-Star hosting duties was IBE president and CEO Alice Watson.
- "We wanted to be sure that that was something that Alice and the organization thought would be complementary to what they were doing, and that we could sort of coexist in downtown together. And she quickly got back to me and said, 'I think this is a great opportunity and I think we could work together in a really cool way.' And so we've been off to the races since then," Raines said.
- "This is really the most exciting time not only for Indiana Black Expo or PS&E, but for the city of Indianapolis," Watson said. "None of us will be sleeping. We'll just keep going and going and going."
Catch up quick: Summer Celebration starts July 11 with the Ecumenical Service at New Direction Church and ends July 20 with the IBE's Gospel Explosion at the Indiana Convention Center.
- All proceeds generated by the event support IBE's year-round initiatives related to education, business development, community learning, performing arts, college scholarships and more.
WNBA All-Star tips off July 18, featuring the inaugural Fever Fest concert at White River State Park and culminating in the sold-out game the next day.
- A skills challenge and three-point shootout are among the on-court highlights, while off-court action includes the return of "Indy's Home Court," a downtown takeover of arts and culture events first seen during last year's NBA All-Star game.
State of play: Four Indiana nonprofits have received $1 million in grants to create a lasting legacy around the All-Star event. Here's what they're working on.
- Fletcher Place Community Center: Enhancements to early learning facilities and community spaces.
- The Parks Alliance of Indianapolis: Renovation of the basketball court at Al E. Polin Park.
- Marion County Commission on Youth: Facility renovations and the launch of a student ambassador program for 25 female high school students.
- Marvella Foundation: Development of a "Championship Arena" at its Fair Oaks Farms campus in Newton County.
Zoom in: Other community engagement plans include an effort to help women entrepreneurs obtain women-owned business enterprise certification and free Zumba sessions held across Indy in partnership with Centers of Wellness for Urban Women.
Meanwhile, donors and volunteers are still needed for All-Star Cure on July 12-13.
- The event is a partnership between the host committee and the Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank that invites up to 500 women to donate healthy breast tissue in support of cancer research.
What's next: More announcements, including celebrity guests to be added to Summer Celebration's guest list for the education conference on July 17, and the Style Zone July 18-20.
- Officials are also working with Temple University to conduct an economic impact study to be released after the events.