About Us

History

During the Post Civil-Rights Movement, IBE established a positive structure in the community that reflected African-Americans, which was an important and much needed development.

Two years after attending an expo in Chicago, IL, a few religious and civic leaders in the community decided to establish an Indiana based Black Expo. They understood the pressing need to create an avenue to display positive African-American ideas and thus founded the Indiana Black Expo in 1970.

Through various symposiums with civic leaders speaking on pressing economic, political and social issues, IBE has strived to address past, present and future issues that face African-Americans and all people alike. The support of popular entertainers and political figures such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds and many more, helps spread the information.

IBE has been and will continue to be a major economic and social contributor to Indiana and African-American communities everywhere.

MUNCIE CHAPTER (EST. 1992)

The Indiana Black Expo Muncie Chapter was founded by Beatrice “Bea” Moten-Foster in 1992. Mrs. Moten Foster was a civil rights activist who participated in the historic 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama.

She later moved to Muncie, where she founded the Muncie Coalition of 100 Women, Martin Luther King Dream Team, and the Muncie Times. She organized the and created a citywide celebration for Black History Month.

Mrs. Bea Moten Foster passed away in 2011. Yet, her legacy continues to fuel the MBE initiatives.

Muncie Black Expo’s first Summer Soul Fest took place Labor Day weekend 1993 (Sept.3-5,1993).

IN LOVING MEMORY