Indiana Black Expo (IBE) is set to honor an exceptional group of cultural icons at its highly anticipated 2025 Pacers Sports & Entertainment Corporate Luncheon, presented by Indiana University. The event, taking place Friday, July 18 in the Sagamore Ballroom of the Indiana Convention Center, will spotlight the legendary contributions of Alfre Woodard, Deniece Williams, Wendell Pierce, and Chiney Ogwumike—each representing excellence in film, music, media, and sports. Recognized as one of the largest luncheons in Indiana, this signature event will welcome nearly 3,000 guests. Tickets are available now at www.summercelebration.net.

Academy Award-nominated actress Alfre Woodard will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades-spanning work in film, television, and theater. Known for her powerful portrayals in ’12 Years a Slave’, ‘Clemency’, and ‘Captain America: Civil War’, Woodard has earned 17 Emmy nominations, four wins, and accolades from nearly every major acting institution. With upcoming roles in Apple TV+’s ‘The Last Frontier’ and Netflix’s ‘The Boroughs’, her legacy as a trailblazer in storytelling continues to evolve.

Celebrated songstress Deniece Williams will be honored with the Living Legend Award. The Gary, Indiana native and four-time Grammy Award winner is beloved for her distinctive four-octave soprano and genre-crossing hits like ‘Free’ and ‘Let’s Hear It for the Boy’. From her early work with Stevie Wonder’s ‘Wonderlove’ to her extensive solo career in both secular and gospel music, Williams has long been a beacon of joy and spiritual power through song.

Acclaimed actor Wendell Pierce will be recognized with the Screen Image Award for his dynamic performances across television, film, and stage. Best known for his role as Detective Bunk Moreland on ‘The Wire’, Pierce continues to shine in productions such as ‘Elsbeth’, ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’, and ‘Broadway’s Death of a Salesman’, for which he earned a Tony nomination. His upcoming appearances in Thunderbolts and Superman affirm his enduring relevance in the entertainment industry.

Rounding out this year’s honorees is Chiney Ogwumike, a two-time WNBA All-Star and award-winning ESPN analyst, who will receive the Excellence in Media Award. Ogwumike’s career seamlessly bridges sports and activism, from breaking media barriers to empowering youth globally through basketball diplomacy. A Stanford graduate and White House advisor on African diaspora engagement, she represents the next generation of Black excellence in action.

With this powerful slate of honorees, Indiana Black Expo continues its mission of uplifting Black leaders whose work inspires communities and reshapes culture.