Indiana Black Expo Inc.

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Ibe And Purdue University Set Eyes On Youth Statewide

INDIANAPOLIS- Indiana Black Expo, Inc. (IBE) announces Purdue University as the presenting sponsor for this year_s Youth Summit in July. The IBE Youth summit, which will be held during the 35th Anniversary Summer Celebration in July, is a three-day event dedicated to the development of future community leaders. It includes peer-to-peer training, seminars, workshops, networking and more, focused on issues important to the growth and development for this states' future leaders.

This partnership marries the state's largest African-American nonprofit and one of the nation's leading technology universities to reinforce the importance of a college education. "Indiana Black Expo is one of the nation's most exciting forums for showcasing the cultures and ideals of African-American people, and its success is something of which Indiana can be very proud," said Purdue University President, Martin C. Jischke. "The university has participated in the Summer Celebration for many years, but we are making an increased commitment. We believe an enhanced partnership with Black Expo will support Purdue's overarching diversity goals while communicating the value of higher education to more people throughout our state."

In addition to presenting sponsorship of the Youth Summit, Purdue's $75,000 commitment also includes presence in the exhibit hall, Employment Opportunity Fair, 'Holla Back' Teen Forum and the Black Business Conference.

"It is imperative that we engage youth at an early age. We lose students if we wait until they are juniors and seniors in high school, "said IBE President and CEO, Joyce Rogers. Purdue has made yet another major commitment to not only the minority community, but the community at-large by extending their reach further than their campuses, realizing it's no longer enough to just offer the service, they continue to be proactive with their reach."

IBE celebrates its 35th Anniversary July 7-17 in downtown Indianapolis. To find out more about the programs and events go online.

Contact: Alpha Garrett, Director of Communications Indiana Black Expo, Inc., 317-925-2702 ext. 16