When Marcia Bennett shared her experiences from the 26 years she spent at the Indiana Black Expo, her joyous recollection of fostering culture and cultural pride was not just a personal memory but a shared journey that unites us all. Bennett, affectionately known as Dottie, died on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, three days shy of her 75th birthday.
“The heart of my heart was Indiana Black Expo (IBE),” Bennett exclaimed on a celebratory video that grants us a short earful of her warm, soothing voice, inviting us to be part of her story-inviting us to take pride in ourselves and our culture.
“The heart of my heart” signifies a tell-tale story of how Bennett made everyone feel like family. IBE’s mission is to act as an effective voice and vehicle for the social and economic advancement of Black youth and families. If you were an IBE kid (a child exposed to all the rich offerings of the IBE), then you knew how wholeheartedly Bennett believed in the mission. Although she had three positions within the organization, everyone knew her, and she knew IBE.
She loved the community. She led some and guided others. She helped people map routes to their dreams and goals. She helped Black businesses and opted to work closely with them to model how to do the work. She was family-oriented. If you saw her, Ryan was not far behind. She leaves two sons, Kevin Lee and Ryan Lee Bennett, to cherish her memory. She was loyal, and she will be missed. Indianapolis will feel the absence of her warm embrace and the way she encouraged people to be true to themselves.
The funeral services are scheduled for Sept. 5 at Eastern Star Church, 5750 30th St, Indianapolis, IN 46218. The viewing is at 9 a.m., and the service begins at 11 a.m.
The family asks the community to help memorialize Bennett in a way that honors her legacy. To contribute monetarily, visit gofundme.com/f/we-need-your-help-to-honor-marcias-legacy.
