15,328.
That’s the official attendance from the Circle City Classic’s official box score. 15,328 is how many were inside Lucas Oil Stadium (capacity 67,000) to see the 31st edition of what was once an African-American community jewel.
This number, 15,328 is the lowest Classic attendance ever! Even including those wearing Classic credentials, by any metric, you can’t spin that this wasn’t the worst attended Classic event!
This is the kind of record you don’t want to set.
Indiana Black Expo’s attempting to spin this failure into a success saying they “distributed” 26,480 “game tickets.” But “distributed” tickets doesn’t mean someone showed up for the game. If I take Expo at their word, the reality is there were 11,152 no shows for this poorest attended Classic.
A quick mention of the Classic Parade. Black Expo’s Board should give letters or medals of commendation to the thousands who shivered in the cold to enjoy a parade far below the quality and standards of past parades. What once strived to be a quality parade that reflects African-American pride and heritage has slipped dramatically; especially the lack of floats and real celebrities.
Bottom line, Indianapolis’ African-American community/consumer has turned its back on Classic, and to a great degree, turned its back on Indiana Black Expo.
And that’s an extraordinarily dire circumstance for the 44-year organization.
People who remember what Black Expo and the Classic were know it’s in deep trouble. The numerous, formerly generous sponsors who have terminated or drastically reduced their financial support know it.
Those of us who’ve been condemned by Black Expo’s leadership (especially Expo’s Board) for having the temerity to say that the IBE Emperor wears no clothes obviously know it.
Those scores of talented African-Americans who used to work for Expo and the Classic know it. (I suspect the few who remain know it as well).
It’s now obvious that Black Expo cannot successfully execute their two signature events. Especially when the events are 75 days between each other.
It’s obvious… Expo/Classic has lost its groove.
It’s obvious that Indianapolis’ African-American community’s two signature events – Summer Celebration and Circle City Classic – and the organization responsible for operating these events which generates revenue for the programs its supposed to benefit – is in serious, dire trouble.
Now, dear readers, the fault and fate of Expo/Classic lies with 30 men and women – IBE’s board.
The BIG question is whether this group understands that the organization they have the legal and moral responsibility for is in grave trouble; its very survival in jeopardy.
It’s our community’s baby. And IBE’s board has forfeited their right to parent it.
It’s time you know who the board members are so you can direct your concern, ire and condemnation at how they’ve allowed our community’s jewel to atrophy.
They are: Greg Wilson, chairman; Arvis Dawson, executive vice-chairman;
Leroy Robinson, vice-chairman/Northern Region; Willie Stroman, vice-chairman/Central Region; Lisa Dandridge, treasurer; Chuck Hughes, secretary; Rinzer Williams, chairman, nominating committee. Board Members: Demarius “Mauri” Miller, Marc Outlaw, Carlton Mable, Melissa Reese, Jacqueline Thomas- Miller, Mickey Maurer, Charles E. Green, Murray Miller, Gary Hentschel, Jamal Smith, Marilyn Goree, Jan Stith, Paulette Kemp, John Davis, Tara Morris, John Thompson, Tony Kirkland, John Young, Willie Milsap, Kristian Little, Joe Anderson, LeRoy Lewis III and Kathy Carr.
The above list was taken from Expo’s website that lists 2013 board members. So there may be a name or two that’s not currently on the board. Another serious problem is the small cabal of board members who apparently make all key decisions and cut out informing the rest of the board on what’s happening.
During the Classic, I asked a board member their reaction to a detailed, 20-page report former board member Dr. Woody Myers prepared outlining options for improving the Classic. A report Myers presented to the board in mid-2013.
“I’ve never seen it,” the board member told me, “We were only given a two page summary.”
A fully detailed report on how to improve the Classic, prepared by one of our community’s most distinguished leaders, isn’t shared with Expo’s full board?
I’ve been reluctant to say this publicly, but circumstances leave me no choice.
I must say it now.
Indiana Black Expo is in critical condition. The actions of its board in the weeks and months ahead will determine whether it lives or dies.
What I’m hearing in the streets
Last Wednesday, a John Marshall High School student was arrested with a loaded gun, machete and hatchet, but IPS didn’t make that information public. I found out from a tipster and confronted IPS PR who blithely said it wasn’t their policy to notify the public when weapons are found in IPS schools.
But under former Supt. Dr. Eugene White, IPS informed the public when dangerous weapons were found at schools.
IPS Supt. Dr. Lewis Ferebee promised an open and transparent school district. But a series of recent incidents have raised serious questions about Ferebee’s promise.
IPS has covered up incidents of violence at John Marshall and Washington High schools. There’s a bizarre incident where a non IPS employee, a North Carolina cop, was allowed to manhandle a student to stop a fight at John Marshall.
Maybe Supt. Ferebee needs to spend less time playing footsie with school reformers and more time running his schools competently.
See ya next week!
You can email comments to Amos Brown at acbrown@aol.com.
