INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Indiana Black Expo (IBE) proudly announces the honorees for the 2026 Pacers
Sports & Entertainment Corporate Luncheon and an exciting lineup of signature events for its highly
anticipated Summer Celebration, taking place July 8 –19, 2026. For more than five decades, Summer
Celebration has served as one of the nation’s premier cultural festivals, attracting thousands of attendees from across the country for a dynamic experience that celebrates achievement, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, education, arts and culture, faith, and community empowerment.
The 2026 Pacers Sports & Entertainment Corporate Luncheon, one of Indiana’s most distinguished
annual gatherings, will take place on Friday, July 17, 2026, in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana
Convention Center. Doors will open at 10:00 a.m., with the program beginning at 11:00 a.m. The
luncheon will bring together corporate executives, elected officials, entrepreneurs, community leaders,
and changemakers from across the nation for an afternoon of recognition, inspiration, and celebration.
“Summer Celebration reflects the very best of our community, bringing together business leaders,
families, entrepreneurs, artists, educators, faith leaders, and advocates for a shared celebration of
excellence and impact. This year’s lineup of entertainers, celebrities, and dignitaries represents hope,
preservation, and possibility for our communities,” said Alice Watson, President & CEO of Indiana Black
Expo. The Corporate Luncheon serves as a powerful kickoff to a weekend dedicated to honoring
achievement, elevating influential voices, and inspiring the next generation of leaders who will shape
our future.
This year, the luncheon will honor Anthony Anderson, Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr., Delroy Lindo, Terri
Carmichael Jackson, and October London, reflecting the event’s theme: “Our Legacy. Our Influence.
Our Future.” Tickets are available now at SummerCelebration.net.
2026 CORPORATE LUNCHEON HONOREES
About Anthony Anderson
Lifetime Achievement Award
Anthony Anderson is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor, producer, host, and entrepreneur,
best known for starring as Andre “Dre” Johnson on ABC’s black-ish and for starring in his own
sitcom, All About the Andersons. His acclaimed career spans film and television, with notable credits
including Transformers, The Departed, Barbershop, Law & Order, and, most recently, G20 opposite
Viola Davis. Beyond acting, Anderson has served as an executive producer on black-ish and grown-ish.
He has hosted major television programs, including the Emmy Awards, To Tell the Truth, We Are Family,
Netflix’s Star Search reboot,and Trippin’ with Anthony Anderson and Mama Doris. He is also the co
founder of AC Barbeque with Cedric the Entertainer, which launched both a restaurant and a forthcoming
cookbook. A dedicated advocate for diabetes awareness, Anderson has received numerous honors
throughout his career, including multiple NAACP Image Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,
and recognition as a Disney Legend.
About Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr.
The Legacy Award
Pastor Jeffrey A. Johnson Sr. is the Legacy Pastor of Eastern Star Church in Indianapolis, where he
served as Senior Pastor for 37 years, leading the congregation’s growth to more than 17,000 members
across multiple campuses. A respected preacher, author, and community leader, Pastor Johnson has
dedicated his life to advancing the Gospel while creating impactful initiatives such as JEWEL Human
Services, the ROCK Initiative, and the Financial Freedom Institute. He is the author of seven books, has
helped plant churches across the country, and has received numerous honorary doctorates in recognition of his contributions to ministry, education, and community development. His enduring leadership and commitment to faith, family, and service have made him one of Indiana’s most influential spiritual leaders.
About Delroy Lindo
Screen Image Award
Delroy Lindo is an Academy Award-winning artist who has earned numerous accolades throughout his
illustrious career. In film, he’s been awarded Best Actor by the New York Film Critics Circle, National
Society of Film Critics and Critics Choice Super Awards in addition to receiving career tributes from the
Gotham Awards and Santa Barbara Film Festival. On Broadway, Delroy received a Tony Award
nomination for his portrayal of “Herald Loomis” in August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone; a
Helen Hayes Award Nomination and a NAACP Image Award for Best Actor playing Walter Lee in
Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun. Delroy is also known for his many collaborations with
filmmaker Spike Lee (notably in Da 5 Bloods) and the widespread recognition he garnered for his work
in Ryan Coogler’s critical and commercial smash-hit Sinners (earning him an Academy Award
nomination for Best Supporting Actor). Delroy will next be seen starring in the upcoming Godzilla v.
Kong sequel for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, officially titled Godzilla x Kong: Supernova, and
his feature directorial debut, Jabari’s People.
About October London
Music Heritage Award
October London is a chart-topping R&B and soul singer-songwriter from South Bend, Indiana, who has
emerged as one of the leading voices in contemporary soul music. Signed to Death Row Records by
Snoop Dogg, London gained national acclaim with his hit single “Back to Your Place,” which topped
the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart and earned multiple Soul Train Award nominations. Known for
his smooth vocals, timeless sound, and influences from legendary artists such as Marvin Gaye, October
London has captivated audiences nationwide with acclaimed projects including The Rebirth of Marvin
and October Nights, solidifying his place as one of today’s most exciting and authentic soul artists.
About Terri Carmichael Jackson
Excellent in Sports Awards
Terri Carmichael Jackson serves as Executive Director of the Women’s National Basketball Players
Association (WNBPA), where she leads labor strategy, collective bargaining, and business initiatives on
behalf of WNBA players. Since joining the union in 2016, she has helped secure historic gains in player
compensation, benefits, and revenue sharing through the landmark 2020 and transformational 2026
Collective Bargaining Agreements, while also driving significant growth in sponsorship and licensing
opportunities. A respected attorney, educator, and nonprofit leader, Carmichael Jackson has been
recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the most powerful women in sports and by Sports Business
Journal as a Game Changer and Power Player for her leadership and advocacy in advancing women’s
professional sports and Sports Business Journal for her influence and leadership in sports.
SUMMER CELEBRATION SIGNATURE EVENTS:
Ecumenical Service – Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration will officially begin with its annual
Ecumenical Service on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Grace Apostolic Church in Indianapolis. The service
will feature a keynote message from the Honorable Reverend Dr. Raphael G. Warnock, Senior Pastor of
Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, the spiritual home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and one of
the nation’s most influential centers for faith, social justice, and civic engagement. A nationally respected pastor, author, and first African American elected to serve in the United States Senate from the State of Georgia, Dr. Warnock is widely recognized for his leadership at the intersection of faith, public service, and advocacy for underserved communities. The service will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a powerful musical presentation by the Citywide Choir, led by the acclaimed Eastern Star Church Minister of Music, Sherri Garrison.
Business Conference – At the Mayor’s Breakfast on Monday, July 13, 2026, Charles Johnson, President
of SodexoMagic, will receive the IBE Business Conference Trailblazer Award in recognition of his
exceptional leadership and commitment to building impactful, minority-owned enterprises. From his
early career in international business in Chicago to co-creating SodexoMagic, a joint venture between
Sodexo and Magic Johnson Enterprises, Johnson has consistently demonstrated a visionary approach to business, forging strategic, win-win partnerships across corporate, healthcare, and education sectors. Since its founding in 2006, he has helped grow SodexoMagic into the fastest-growing majority-minority owned food and facilities management company in the United States.
Education Conference – The 2026 IBE Education Conference will take place on July 16 from 8:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m., centered on the theme, “Restore. Reimagine: Reclaiming Joy, Balance and Purpose in
Teaching.” Designed to inspire and empower educators, the conference will welcome acclaimed actor,
bestselling author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Hill Harper as the afternoon keynote speaker. Harper is widely recognized for his roles on CBS’s CSI: NY, for which he earned three NAACP Image Awards, and ABC’s hit drama The Good Doctor. A prolific author, he has written several New York Times bestsellers, including The Wealth Cure, which chronicles his personal journey following a thyroid cancer diagnosis. His acclaimed 2007 book, “Letters to a Young Brother: Manifest Your Destiny,” won the American Library Association’s Best Book for Young Adults award. His contributions have earned him seven NAACP Image Awards, including four for his writing. He is the founder of the Manifest Your Destiny Foundation, which provides mentorship and scholarships to underserved youth, and of the Pierce and Hill Harper Arts Foundation. Harper holds a magna cum laude degree from Brown University, a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, and a master’s degree from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He has also received eleven honorary doctoral degrees and is a Life Member of Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Entertainment Stage – A free performance by Dee-1 is one of hip-hop’s most influential voices for
purpose, positivity, and social change, on Saturday, July 18, from 3:00–4:00 p.m. on the Entertainment
Stage in Hall F of the Indiana Convention Center. Known for blending powerful storytelling with
messages of faith, education, mental health awareness, and community empowerment, the New Orleans native has built a national following through his music, motivational speaking, and advocacy work. A former teacher turned acclaimed recording artist, Dee-1 has collaborated with some of the industry’s biggest names while remaining committed to inspiring audiences to live with purpose and make a positive impact. His high-energy performance promises an uplifting and unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.
Gospel Explosion – The internationally acclaimed gospel artist J.J. Hairston will headline the highly
anticipated Gospel Explosion on Sunday, July 19, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the
Entertainment Stage, Hall F. Known for chart-topping gospel hits and an electrifying worship
experience, Hairston will bring an afternoon of praise, inspiration, and community fellowship to
attendees from across the region. Joining the lineup is the dynamic Judah Band, whose contemporary
gospel sound and high-energy performances have inspired audiences nationwide. In addition to these
featured artists, the Gospel Explosion will showcase powerful musical selections from local church
choirs representing congregations throughout Central Indiana.
About Indiana Black Expo
Indiana Black Expo is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) statewide organization with 12-chapter affiliates. The
mission of IBE is to serve as an effective voice and vehicle for the social and economic advancement of
African Americans. IBE is known for its two major events, Summer Celebration and Circle City
Classic®, and provides year-round youth and family initiatives, including its Education Conference,
Black Business Training Institute, Performing Arts Academy, Community Learning Hub, Education Day
(college fair), Summer Internship Program, Scholarship Fund, Statewide Anti-Tobacco Initiative, Youth
Leadership Summit, Talent Day Career Fair and Business Conference.
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