July 11, 2008

Purdue to focus on youth at Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration

One of the co-sponsors of Children's Day on July 14, Purdue also is the presenting co-sponsor of the annual IBE Youth Empowerment Summit on July 18 at the Indiana Convention Center.

Purdue also will participate in the Expo's IBE Corporate Luncheon on July 17, the Black Business Conference: Elected/Appointed Officials' Reception and a Purdue alumni reception on July 18, and Purdue Day on July 19.

Children's Day kicks off the Purdue-sponsored events July 14. Purdue will have a forensic science ("CSI"-type) hands-on demonstration. Children who come to the booth will receive a "CSI badge." Purdue also will have a space-themed exhibit with videos of the university's role in space exploration and the School of Pharmacy will have a demonstration booth. About 3,500 children ages 3-10 are expected to attend the event that takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Approximately 200 youth ages 11-18 from around Indiana are expected to attend the Youth Empowerment Summit. The Office of Admissions, the Black Cultural Center and various colleges will represent Purdue at the event, which begins at 11:30 a.m. Friday. Alysa Rollock, Purdue's vice president for human relations, will be the keynote speaker.

Purdue is a co-sponsor of the IBE Corporate Luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. July 17 in the Sagamore Ballroom at the Convention Center. Tickets are $50 per person or $500 per table. R&B singer Angie Stone will perform at the event.

Jesse Moore, director of Purdue's Office of Supplier Diversity Development, will be honored at the Black Business Conference: Elected/Appointed Officials' Reception at noon on July 18. The reception is the concluding event of the Expo's Black Business Conferences, which highlight African-American businesses and gives business people the opportunity to network. Moore and state Sen. Glenn Howard, D-Indianapolis, will receive awards for helping to build private and public relationships.

The supplier diversity development office was established in 2005 to encourage and assist minority-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses to supply goods or services to Purdue. Before coming to Purdue in 2005, Moore was business advocacy manager for the Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, executive director of the Indianapolis Black Chamber of Commerce and executive director of economic development and small business at the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

The presentation of the Purdue Black Alumni Association Humanitarian Award will be a highlight of the Purdue alumni reception at 7:30 p.m. on July 18 at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis. Tanasha Anders, a 1994 graduate of Purdue, will receive the award. It is given to African-American alumni who have demonstrated leadership ability in the community by developing or contributing to the development of private or public programs that enhance the quality of life for families and communities. Anders is director of special events for Reach Media Inc. in Dallas, Texas.

The Black Expo will celebrate Purdue University Day July 19 throughout the Indiana Convention Center with Purdue logos and signage.

The Indiana Black Expo is an annual event that showcases achievements by African-Americans in culture, art, history and economics. Activities include business workshops, an ecumenical service, an employment opportunity fair, a health fair, various receptions and concerts, and appearances by local and national celebrities.

Writer: Greg McClure, (765) 494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Sources: Joseph Bennett, (765) 494-2082, jlbennett@purdue.edu

Jesse Moore, (765) 494-3739, jlmoore@purdue.edu

Dorothy Reed, assistant provost, (765) 494-9709, reed7@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

To the News Service home page