Indiana Black Expo Reimagines Circle City Classic with Youth at the Center
Indiana Black Expo is reimagining the future of the Circle City Classic, shifting away from a traditional HBCU football matchup toward a more youth-focused experience centered on Indianapolis students. While hallmarks like the parade, fan festival, and HBCU exposure will continue, leaders say the pivot is about keeping young people at the heart of the event’s mission and legacy.
Indiana Black Expo is making a major shift in the future of the Circle City Classic, but leaders say the heart of the event remains the same: creating opportunities for young people while exposing them to the culture, pride, and possibilities connected to Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Rather than centering the weekend solely around a traditional college football matchup, IBE is pivoting toward a more youth-focused experience that places Indianapolis students directly in the spotlight. The organization plans to continue hallmark events such as the parade, fan festival, education initiatives, and HBCU exposure opportunities while expanding activities that directly engage local students.
Indiana Black Expo President and CEO Alice Watson said the decision came after years of declining attendance and rising operational costs connected to hosting HBCU football games. At the same time, the organization wanted to refocus on its original mission.
“What is our true mission for Circle City Classic?” Watson said. “If it’s to expose our kids to HBCUs, if it’s a part of community empowerment, can we do that a different way?”
The answer, according to Watson, is yes.
“We’re trying to save lives and give kids the vision of possibilities.”
— Alice Watson, Indiana Black Expo President and CEO
Under the new vision, students will have opportunities to participate in sports activities inside Lucas Oil Stadium while still connecting with HBCU representatives, bands, and educational programming. Watson believes the experience can inspire students in ways that go far beyond entertainment.
“We’re trying to save lives and give kids the vision of possibilities,” Watson said.
Maqube Reese, Indiana Black Expo’s Director of Family and Youth Programs, says the shift is about ensuring young people are no longer “lost in the seams” of the organization’s future plans. Reese emphasized that students must not only attend events, but also feel heard and included in shaping them.
“I want the students to know the legacy of IBE,” Reese said. “This pivot is to retain the legacy and also forge ahead for the future.”
Reese added that Indiana Black Expo plans to work closely with Indianapolis-area schools to involve students in activities connected to athletics, leadership development, civic engagement, and HBCU exposure. Programs like Amplify U, a youth leadership initiative focused on community impact and civic awareness, are also becoming central to the organization’s long-term strategy.
For Indiana Black Expo, the reimagined Circle City Classic is not about abandoning tradition. It is about ensuring the next generation sees itself reflected in the future of the event and the future of the city itself.
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