College Access • Culture • Community Impact • Championship Energy
The 5th Annual HBCU All-Star Game Experience will bring a high-impact lineup of events to Indianapolis, connecting students, families, and the community to HBCU opportunities, while celebrating Black excellence during college basketball’s biggest weekend. Scheduled events are as follows:
TOP MEDIA MOMENT (FRIDAY):
WHAT: Kickoff Press Conference & Official Game Ball Presentation
WHO: Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Keith Graves and members of the Indianapolis community.
WHEN: Friday, April 3 | 2:00 PM
WHERE: Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds
KEY EVENTS FOR COVERAGE:
HBCU Awards Ceremony & Reception
📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center
🗓 Thursday, April 2 | 7:30–9:00 PM
➡ Honors local community leaders and top HBCU student-athletes, coaches & leaders
College Admissions & Scholarship Fair (VISUAL + COMMUNITY IMPACT)
📍 Corteva Coliseum
🗓 Friday, April 3 (9 AM–1 PM, FREE)
🗓 Sunday, April 5 (12–4 PM, ticket required)
➡ Students meet HBCUs, explore scholarships and attend panels
➡ Friday includes Pro Day Viewing + Meet & Greet
Friday Fun Day (Community Outreach) (STRONG VISUALS)
📍 Sankofa School of Success + Windsor Village Park
🗓 Friday, April 3 | 4:00–6:30 PM
➡ Student-athletes mentoring youth + food distribution
Social Justice & Civil Rights Panel
📍 Madam Walker Legacy Center
🗓 Saturday, April 4 | 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
➡ Panelists include Sean Johnson & Dr. Heather Savage
Black Business Vendor Showcase (VISUAL + ECONOMIC IMPACT)
📍 Corteva Coliseum
🗓 Sunday, April 5 | 12:00–5:00 PM
➡ Black-owned businesses + community marketplace
🏀 HBCU ALL-STAR GAME (MAIN EVENT)
📍 Corteva Coliseum, Indiana State Fairgrounds
🗓 Sunday, April 5, 2026
Game Time: 1:00 PM EST
Doors Open: 12:00 PM EST
Location: 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205
Parking: $10 per vehicle at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
➡ Featuring top HBCU senior student-athletes from across the country
➡ High-energy, nationally recognized showcase of men’s basketball’s biggest weekend.
➡ Includes fan experiences, vendor activations, and community engagement
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Expands college access for local students
Showcases HBCU excellence nationwide
Drives economic impact + Black entrepreneurship
Combines sports, education, culture, and community
SOUND BITE:
“This is a can’t-miss moment for Indianapolis and for our future leaders. We’re bringing together the full power of HBCU excellence—education, opportunity, culture, and community—under one roof.”
— Travis L. Williams, Founder & CEO, HBCU All-Stars
🎤 MEDIA CREDENTIALS & ACCESS
MEDIA CREDENTIALS REQUIRED for access to:
HBCU All-Star Game
Courtside coverage of events at Corteva Coliseum
Press conference and select VIP programming
Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting the 2026 HBCU Experience. For more information about the HBCU All-Star Game and Experience, visit www.hbcuallstargame.com or follow @HBCUAllStars on Facebook and Instagram.
For more HBCU All-Star coverage, visit Indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
