29° and Overcast
Image
Today, Indiana Black Expo announced Tanya Mckinzie’s plans to leave her current role at the end of the year and its Board of Directors’ selection of Alice Watson, Sr. Vice President, as her successor effective January 2023, according to a press release provided by the organization.
Ms. Mckinzie led the Indiana organization for 15 years. “This experience has been life-changing. I hold steadfast to the principle in Ecclesiastes that there is a season for everything. As IBE continues to encourage so many aspiring entrepreneurs to step out on faith and use their gifts, talents and abilities to create generational wealth for their families, I have made the decision to join the ranks of so many others and start my own consulting business,” shared IBE President Tanya Mckinzie.
IBE cited the following as accomplishments under Mckinzie’s tenure:
• 14 years of clean financial audits while remaining debt free with sufficient funds in reserve;
• the purchase of a 45,000 square feet campus on the eastside of Indianapolis and investment of more than $1.6 million in building improvements without a capital campaign and no debt;
• the creation of IBE’s 14-year-old Education Conference where professional development is provided annually to thousands of educators and administrators across the country in the area of cultural competency;
• the distinct recognition by the Obama Foundation’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBKA) as a community to watch for IBE’s work to improve life outcomes for Black boys and young men in 2019;
• the launch of a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Academy and Community Learning Hub on the Eastside of Indianapolis that provides development and support to youth and families;
• completion of a fully equipped and state-of-the-art Black Box Theater; and
• launch of the Black Business Training Institute for 120 business owners in Central Indiana.
“I am excited about IBE's future and the unwavering commitment of our board, staff, members, volunteers and partners across the state of Indiana to take IBE and our community to higher heights,” added Mckinzie.
Ms. Watson currently serves as IBE’s Sr. Vice President where she has led the day-to-day operations of the organization for 10 years. Prior to working at IBE, she was appointed by former Governor Mitch Daniels as Deputy Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Administration where she led the Department of Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises Division from 2008 until 2010. She has also worked as a national accounts sales executive with responsibilities in sales, advertising, marketing and financial planning.
“We are entering an exciting period for the organization and are grateful for the solid foundation that has been laid by Ms. Mckinzie. I look forward to working with the IBE board, staff, and stakeholders on carrying out our strategic plan to implement impactful programming and advocacy, solidifying our place in history for the next 50 years.”
About Indiana Black Expo, Inc.
Indiana Black Expo, Inc. 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, recent 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, Employment Opportunity Fair, and Business Series and Conference.
See:
