For 30 years, Circle City Classic, a partnership between Indiana Black Expo Inc. and the Indiana Sports Corp. has promoted educational achievement and diversity among Historically Black Colleges and Universities nationwide.
Since 1984, more than $1 million has been granted to eligible Indiana residents pursuing a higher education.
Following is information about three past scholarship and coronation recipients – Shanel Poole, Leeandrea Sloan and Lori Wilson.
Shanel Poole
What we remember: Despite facing childhood adversities, being labeled a juvenile delinquent and homeless at 18, Poole continued to strive to earn her GED. As a Classic scholarship recipient, she attended Ivy Tech, and later graduated from Indiana State University with a degree in communications and political science. She was named C-Span Valedictorian Commencement Speaker of 2010.
Following heavy involvement with the Christamore House (as an adolescent) and maintaining strong ties to IBE, Poole was inspired to give back to the community. Upon graduation, she planned to return to Indianapolis and open her own not-for-profit organization.
Where is she now?: Poole continues to grow the G.L.A.M. (Guidance, Life Skills and Mentoring) program; a non-profit organization for at-risk girls ages 9-18, which she established her sophomore year of college. In her fifth year of service, Poole strives to empower 37 girls annually through her 48-week program, free of cost.
Poole recently put law school on hold to continue running her business, but one day plans to fulfill her dreams of one day becoming a juvenile court judge and the first Black female U.S. Supreme Court Justice. This year alone, Poole was nominated for the Torchbearer Award, Girl Scout Courage Award and Freedom Award.
“As a child of God, I love helping people bring out the best in themselves,” Poole said. “I want to comfort them, motivate them or be used in any way I can.”
Leeandrea Sloan
What we remember: Sloan was a graduate of Lawrence Central High School and Classic scholarship recipient of 1988. She attended Indiana University Bloomington, where she received a B.S. degree in chemistry with minors in biology and African-American Studies.
Sloan went to graduate school at Indiana University School of Medicine and completed her residency in the Family Medicine IU – Methodist Family Practice program of Indianapolis.
Where is she now?: Sloan worked for IU Medical Group from 2000 to 2012 (currently IU Health Physicians), and now practices at the Glendale location in Indianapolis.
“I wanted to be a doctor since I was 5 years old,” she said. “I have always wanted to grow up and help people live healthy lives.”
Sloan is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (Alpha Mu Omega Chapter), who loves to dance, exercise and spend time with her three sons.
Lori Wilson
What we remember: Wilson is a Columbus, Ind., native who was highly involved in the Youth Telecommunications Workshop and crowned Miss Circle City Classic at the coronation in 1991. She attended IU Bloomington and received her B.A. in journalism.
Wilson started her professional journalism career at WCIA in Champaign, Ill., while working as an intern at WGCL (formerly WGNX). She recently returned to Indiana after anchoring for 10 years in 10 leading markets, including MSNBC as a network fill-in.
Where is she now?: Wilson joined WISH-TV in June 2013 and currently anchors the “24-Hour News 8 segment at 5 p.m.” and reports live during WISH-TV’s 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.
She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the National Association of Black Journalists. Wilson says she has a desire to serve and believes that is her motivating factor.
“I love being able to provide a service to people and give them the information that they need,” Wilson said. “I love meeting new people and the fact there is something different every day. My motto is to inform and inspire.”
