Midwest Leak Awards And Honors
The Midwest Leak Awards & Honors Sponsorship options here or read below:
The Midwest Leak Awards, evolved.
Since 2012, the Midwest Leak Awards have put a name and a face to the people building Black culture in Indianapolis.
Today, that recognition continues through a year-round series of named honors, each created to document a distinct part of the culture, the people shaping it, and the work defining this moment.
Midwest Leak Magazine has documented culture since 2007. The Midwest Leak Awards & Honors carry that archive forward through intentional recognition across influence, style, community, education, legacy, and music.
The 2026 Honors
The Influence 100
Creative influencers impacting the culture in their respective lanes.
Influence is acknowledgment of impact. Inclusion recognizes that a person, platform, business, or institution is actively shaping culture and conversation. Recognition does not require universal agreement with every idea, decision, or point of view associated with the honoree.
The Style & Beauty List
Stylists, barbers, fashion and beauty artists and entrepreneurs shaping how Indianapolis looks, feels, and presents itself.
Community Impact Honors
Recognition for nonprofits, organizers, builders, and community leaders whose work strengthens neighborhoods and creates meaningful impact.
The Diamond Legacy Registry
The Midwest Leak Hall of Fame induction recognizing people whose work has earned a lasting place in the cultural record.
Educator Honor Roll
Teachers and mentors shaping the current and next generation through education, guidance, opportunity, and leadership.
The Frequency: Class of 2026
Artists, DJs, and music professionals defining the Indianapolis sound and contributing to the city’s musical identity.
Partnership Opportunities
Each honor operates as its own property with its own honorees, readership, and partnership opportunities.
Brands can align with the honor that most directly connects with the people and communities they want to reach.
A presenting partnership travels with the honor throughout its life cycle, including the announcement, editorial coverage, printed recognition, honoree plaques, gift bags, and social media promotion.
Sponsorship Levels
Presenting Sponsor | $5,000 per honor
One presenting sponsor is available for each honors list each year.
- Name lockup with the honor
- Logo on every honoree plaque
- Product or insert in recipient gift bags
- Full editorial page
- 50 magazine copies
- Category exclusivity
Example:
The Style & Beauty List, presented by [Brand]
Supporting Sponsor | $2,500 per honor
Limited availability for each honor.
- Brand name on the printed list page
- Insert in every gift bag
- Half-page placement
- Social announcement
- 40 magazine copies
Gift Bag Partner | $750
- Product or insert in every recipient gift bag
- Listing as a contributing partner
- Social media mention
- 25 magazine copies
Full Series Partner | $25,000
Presenting partnership across all six Midwest Leak Awards & Honors.
- Presenting status on all six honors
- Brand logo on honoree plaques throughout the year
- Gift bag inclusion across every honor
- Six editorial pages
- Year-round name lockup with the series
The Diamond Legacy Registry
The Diamond Legacy Registry offers additional opportunities for brands interested in creating a distinctive presence around Midwest Leak’s Hall of Fame recognition.
Radio, television, experiential, and custom activations can also be developed at any partnership level.
Become a Partner
Connect your brand with the people shaping Indianapolis culture today and the archive documenting their impact for tomorrow.
Interested in sponsoring a Midwest Leak Award or Honor?
Email editor@midwestleak.com