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Minority Business Highlight: BCForward

MALIK SIMON
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Minority Business Highlight: BCForward

BCForward is a company that provides outsourcing, staffing services and system solutions to its clients to help their business grow. Organizations seek out BCForward to provide them with solutions to help achieve success in any field.

BCForward also provides technology consultation such as IT solutions, cybersecurity and cloud management. With ever-advancing technology, organizations depend on this kind of service to adapt and address modern challenges.

Justin Christian, CEO and founder of BCForward, founded the company in 1998 after graduating from DePauw University with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. Christian now leads the overall development of their corporate strategy and ensures that the company nourishes executive level relationships with corporate partners and customers.

Justin Christian, BCForward CEO and Founder (Photo/BCForward website)

“We enable our public sector clients to modernize their internal processes and technology while scaling their workforce to mitigate risk and develop new capabilities,” according to the BCForward website.

When businesses must adapt to the needs of the client, BCForward enables companies to take that next step with their resources and knowledge of market needs.

For more information about BCForward, visit: bcforward.com.

Staff Writer Malik Simon created this highlight. Contact him at 317-762-7847 or via email at maliks@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here Indiana Minority Business Directory – Indiana’s Best Source for the Goods and Services You Need.

Minority Business Highlight: Beyond Barcodes Bookstore

CHLOE McGOWAN
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Minority Business Highlight: Beyond Barcodes Bookstore

Created by DeAndra Beard-Ingram, Beyond Barcodes Bookstore is a Black- and woman-owned bookstore, cafe and language learning center all under one roof. The business, which originally opened in Indianapolis but has since relocated to Kokomo, Indiana, is dedicated to building a space to “create common language, common ground and close-knit community,” according to the website.

Beyond Barcodes Bookstore is more than just a space for readers; it’s a venue for community connections and thoughtful conversations. The store offers a variety of adult and children’s selections, including middle-grade to young adult books, coloring books, cookbooks, travel and resource books. Guests are also welcome to enjoy a selection of stickers, gift cards or personalized reading lists and enjoy coffee, tea or Beard Crumb Cookies by Bind Cafe.

READ MORE: Minority Business Highlight: Salon Honey

The bookstore honors the legacy of Beard-Ingram’s late husband, Joe Louis Ingram, Jr, who was also the author of “Congratulations! 365 Declarations for Everyday Life.”

The store is also host to several community programs, including the Reading Beyond Racism book club, the Full Moon Book Club and the WHS Black Student Association book drive, where books can be donated to the local school with a purchase. 

Beyond Barcodes is also gearing up to launch a new writing club for Black boys aged 10-21 called Black Scribble: Where Black Boys Write. Writer and filmmaker Darnell Lamont Walker will facilitate the club, and registration is open on the website.

Beyond Barcodes Bookstore is located at the Beyond Borders Language Center, 1507 N. Delphos St., Kokomo, Indiana.

The brick-and-mortar location is currently open only on Mondays, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. However, the store also operates as an online storefront. For more information or to browse the selection, visit beyondbarcodesbookstore.square.site. To get in contact, call 765-201-0383 or email beyondborderslanguage@gmail.com. 

Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.

Minority Business Highlight: Lé Esthetics 

Hanna Rauworth
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Minority Business Highlight: Lé Esthetics 

Lé Esthetics is expanding its footprint in Bloomington’s beauty and wellness scene, offering a wide range of aesthetic and spa services at its downtown location.  

The boutique studio, located at 619 North Morton Street, provides treatments including lash extensions, keratin lash lifts, brow services, facials, waxing, permanent makeup and laser hair removal. 

Solange Marcum, owner of Le Esthetics in Bloomington. (Photo/Le Esthetics website)

The business is led by licensed esthetician Solange Marcum, who founded Lé Esthetics after more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry. Marcum’s background, which includes work as a professional model and esthetician, shaped the studio’s focus on customized treatments and detailed client care. According to the business, Lé Esthetics was designed to create a setting that blends luxury with accessibility, aiming to serve everyday beauty needs as well as special events. 

Clients can book services such as full-body waxing, microneedling through Procell microchanneling, spray tanning and teeth whitening. The studio also offers makeup services for weddings and formal events, along with advanced skincare options intended to target concerns like texture, hydration and anti-aging. Lé Esthetics states that its goal is to provide a comprehensive menu that allows clients to access multiple services in one location. 

The business operates by appointment and allows customers to book directly online through its website. Lé Esthetics promotes a welcoming environment for new and returning clients and emphasizes ongoing professional training for its staff. 

More information about services, pricing and booking is available at leestheticsindiana.com. 

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here. 

Minority Business Highlight: Salon Honey

CHLOE McGOWAN
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Minority Business Highlight: Salon Honey

For the last seven years, Salon Honey has been committed to natural, sustainable hair health of Hoosiers.

Owned by Celaithia Verworn, Salon Honey is home to “Indy’s curl experts,” according to the website. Opened in 2018, Salon Honey is a Green Circle-certified and teaching salon equipped with a diverse team of stylists affectionately dubbed “the Honey bees.”

Verworn, a fourth-generation hairstylist and third-generation salon owner, has 15 years of experience in the industry — seven of which were leading Salon Honey.

 “Located in the heart of Fountain Square, Salon Honey is a collective space for guests and stylists to connect,” the website states. “The Honey bees strive to create a warm and inviting environment while providing natural, sustainable hair health through luxury service.”

READ MORE: Minority Business Highlight: Enchanted Hearts Home Health

Salon Honey offers a variety of styles and services, including custom haircuts, curly cuts and barber cuts; color services including vivid application and color correction; bridal/party member styling and special occasion updos; and specialized styling including blowouts, extensions and silk presses. All custom haircut services include a wash and style.

The salon also offers a variety of hair ritual services, such as Malibu C, Awaken Scalp Facial, K18 Ritual and metal detox. 

Salon Honey is located in the Shelby Services building at 1035 Shelby St. Parking is free in the building’s lot or on the street. 

For more information or to book a consultation or service, visit salonhoneyindy.com. To get in contact, call 317-767-5708 or email salonhoneyindy@gmail.com.

Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.

Minority Business Highlight: Hollywood Beauty Palace 

Hanna Rauworth
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Minority Business Highlight: Hollywood Beauty Palace 

Hollywood Beauty Palace, located at 5525 Georgetown Road, Suite L in Indianapolis, is drawing attention as a top-rated full-service hair salon serving clients of all hair types and backgrounds. 

At the helm of the salon is a master stylist and licensed instructor known simply as “Toya,” who brings over 30 years of experience to her craft — including time spent teaching other stylists. Hollywood Beauty Palace emphasizes “health of hair” as its guiding priority, offering services ranging from color, cuts, extensions, and natural-hair care to styling needs that meet diverse preferences.  

The salon hours run Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with Friday extending to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday hours from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; the salon remains closed on Sundays.  

What stands out most in online reviews is the level of care and professionalism clients report. With more than 300 online reviews, the business maintains a near-perfect 5.0 rating — reviewers frequently highlight both the quality of results and the welcoming, clean, comfortable atmosphere. Clients with natural or textured hair note that they appreciate the stylist’s knowledge of hair health and maintenance, and many remark that they leave feeling confident and satisfied after treatments ranging from relaxing hair-care services to dramatic transformations like cuts or extensions.  

(Photo/Hollywood Beauty Palace)

In the words of one satisfied client: “I went from long hair to a pixie cut … Toya … did an amazing job. The cut was exactly what I wanted.” Another parent noted that after a relaxer and cut for her daughter’s naturally thick, coarse hair, “we are now convinced that Toya is a magician!”  

Whether you’re seeking a routine haircut and styling or specialized treatment tailored to natural hair needs, Hollywood Beauty Palace aims to provide a reliable, professional, and friendly option in Indianapolis’s salon landscape. For appointments or more information on services, visitors can reach the salon via their official website  at hollywoodbeautypalace.com or by phone at (317) 721-2148.  

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here. 

Minority Business Highlight: Yaso Jamaican Grill

MALIK SIMON
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Minority Business Highlight: Yaso Jamaican Grill

Yaso Jamaican Grill is a Jamaican cuisine restaurant that serves island staples for those looking for dive into exquisite flavors. The restaurant is owned and operated by Executive Chef Jermaine Dennis and his wife Ja’Net.

This food hotspot owes its delicious cuisine to Chef Jermaine who seeks to bring authentic island flavors to the Indianapolis community. Dishes such as jerk chicken, oxtails, and patties are the restaurant’s fan favorites. With the support of the local community, Yaso has managed to do exactly that.

Jamaican Patties (Photo/Yaso Jamaican Grill)

Chef Jermaine was born and raised in the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica.  He spent the early years of his career cooking for hotels in Jamaica. With his experience in cooking and serving the masses, Chef Jermaine brought his expertise right here to Indianapolis.

Ja’Net Dennis, the other half of this dynamic duo, is a Ball State University graduate who is well versed in successfully running a business given her experience in owning several small businesses.

This premiere establishment has served the community from the heart of Indianapolis in Fountain Square. The restaurant is located 1501 Prospect St. To learn more, visit Yaso Grill – Fountain Square, Indianapolis, IN.

Staff Writer Malik Simon created this highlight. Contact him at 317-762-7847 or via email at maliks@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here Indiana Minority Business Directory – Indiana’s Best Source for the Goods and Services You Need.

Minority Business Highlight: Diverse Staffing

Noral Parham
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Minority Business Highlight: Diverse Staffing

One Indianapolis-headquartered firm is redefining how companies and candidates connect. Diverse Staffing, founded in 1999 by Clyde Harris, has evolved from a local operation into a major player in the recruiting industry, driven by a philosophy that seamlessly integrates innovation with traditional values. 

Diverse Staffing distinguishes itself in a crowded market through its hybrid recruiting approach. This strategy combines digital sophistication with conventional insights, enabling the firm to effectively identify and engage top talent for a diverse range of clients. 

The company’s rise is rooted in a clear vision: to revolutionize the staffing industry by fostering enduring partnerships based on trust and mutual growth. Unlike agencies that rely solely on algorithms, Diverse Staffing emphasizes a people-first approach. The firm strives to build relationships founded on faith, family values and enduring friendships, creating a network where every individual and business can thrive. 

For businesses, the firm offers more than just headhunting. They are dedicated to enhancing clients’ staffing strategies and promoting a culture of ongoing advancement. By seamlessly blending digital technology with traditional recruitment tactics, they expertly qualify exceptional talent for a broad spectrum of industries. 

For job seekers, the company promises a path to empowerment, ensuring that the right talent is matched with the right opportunities. This dual focus allows them to cultivate an environment of continuous innovation and improvement, driving success for all parties involved. 

As the workforce continues to evolve, Diverse Staffing remains a steadfast pillar in the Indianapolis community, demonstrating that even in a digital age, business is still best conducted person-to-person. 

For more information on their services or to explore career opportunities, visit their website at diversestaffing.com. 

Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. For more, click here.

Minority Business Highlight: Enchanted Hearts Home Health

CHLOE McGOWAN
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Minority Business Highlight: Enchanted Hearts Home Health

Enchanted Hearts Home Health is a nurse-owned and operated personalized home care and home health agency serving Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

Founded by registered nurse Shawndra Quinn, Enchanted Hearts was created based on personal care experiences with her own loved ones. With more than two decades of medical expertise, Quinn wanted to create an agency that would act as “a bridge to a life of independence and comfort for your loved one,” according to the website.

“Our focus is on delivering practical solutions for those who wish to age in place, ensuring they can remain safe and content in their own homes,” the website states. “Our team, both in the office and in the field, is not only highly educated but also brings the compassion and dedication required to treat our clients like family.”

READ MORE: Minority Business Highlight: Telamon

Enchanted Hearts caregivers are trained in both home care and home health care. Home care, which includes non-medical services to support an individual’s daily activities, includes things like bathing, toileting, dressing, meal preparation, light housekeeping and transportation to appointments. 

Home health care involves skilled medical services provided by licensed professionals, such as nursing care, wound care, medication management, managing chronic illnesses, physical, occupational, or speech therapy post-surgery and monitoring vital signs.

Specialty care includes home dementia care, hospital and assisted living sitters and 24-hour live-in care in Indianapolis. Caregivers also provide CIH and FSW services to allow individuals with developmental disabilities to thrive in their own homes, according to the website.

Enchanted Hearts offers an adaptive care plan, allowing personalized care services to evolve as the client’s needs change. Interested clients can schedule a free home care assessment, where a professional care manager will answer questions and create a personalized care plan tailored to each client’s specific needs before matching them with a caregiver.

Enchanted Hearts accepts Medicaid, long-term care insurance and private pay to ensure their services are more accessible. 

Enchanted Hearts Home Health is headquartered at 650 N. Girls School Road, B20. The business proudly services Indianapolis, Plainfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Carmel, Greenwood, Beech Grove, Franklin and Fishers.

For more information about Enchanted Hearts Home Health services or to book a free consultation, visit enchantedheartsllc.com. To get in contact, call 800-239-1897 or email info@enchantedheartsll.com.

Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.

Indy Chamber names Greg Stowers vice president of Local Government Affairs

Noral Parham
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Indy Chamber names Greg Stowers vice president of Local Government Affairs

The Indy Chamber has selected a seasoned civic leader to spearhead its local advocacy efforts. The organization announced on Dec. 15 the appointment of Greg Stowers as its new vice president of Local Government Affairs.  

Stowers brings more than a decade of experience in public policy and multi-sector collaboration to the role, where he will lead the Chamber’s strategy on local government issues. 

He joins the Chamber after serving as chief administrative officer and policy director for the Indianapolis City-County Council. In that capacity, he played a central role in shaping legislative priorities and managing operations for the city’s legislative body. 

“Greg brings deep experience, trusted relationships and a solutions-driven leadership style that will significantly strengthen the Chamber’s advocacy on behalf of the Indy region,” Chief of Staff at the Indy Chamber Taylor Hughes said. “His ability to translate policy into meaningful, community-centered outcomes makes him an invaluable addition to our team.” 

A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Stowers has established a diverse career spanning the public, nonprofit and private sectors. His resume includes leadership positions at Ice Miller LLP, Kiwanis International and Leadership Indianapolis. 

His work consistently focuses on connecting communities to policy and innovation. Stowers describes himself as a collaborative leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy and community impact. 

In his new position, Stowers focuses on advancing policy priorities that drive business competitiveness and inclusive economic growth. The role is critical for the Chamber as it works to shape a regional economy that leads the Midwest. 

Stowers’ commitment to civic engagement extends beyond his professional roles. He currently serves on the boards of Indy Hub, the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation, Flanner House and Indianapolis Indians Charities. 

He also leads Hashtag Lunchbag Indianapolis, a volunteer initiative that addresses food insecurity. Under his leadership, the program has provided more than 40,000 meals to residents in need while educating volunteers about homelessness. 

Stowers is a graduate of Indiana State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. His accolades include being named to the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 class in 2023 and participating in the prestigious Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series. 

Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Parham is the owner of @HorsemenSportsMedia. For more news, click here.

Minority Business Highlight: D’Vine Beauty Bar  

Hanna Rauworth
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Minority Business Highlight: D’Vine Beauty Bar  

D’Vine Beauty Bar — located at 3955 Eagle Creek Pkwy, Ste. B — is drawing attention as a full-service, Black-owned beauty destination for Indianapolis residents seeking nails, hair, waxing, and aesthetic care.  

The company promotes itself as a “one-stop” shop offering natural and acrylic manicures, pedicures, nail art, waxing, and haircare services, with additional offerings for skincare and aesthetic services. According to its profile on a local business directory, the salon also offers facials and waxing — expanding beyond just nails and hair to include holistic beauty services.  

(Photo/D’Vine Beauty Bar)

Clients describe the space as inviting, clean and accommodating. In a customer review, one client noted the pedicure she received was “very relaxing” and that “after several days my feet are still very soft.” Social media and directory listings highlight that D’Vine Beauty Bar welcomes walk-ins, making it an accessible choice for quick treatments and spontaneous visits.  

Owned and operated locally, the beauty bar serves a diverse clientele who appreciate having a range of beauty services under one roof — from nail care to hair styling to waxing. As interest grows in Black-owned and full-service salons in Indianapolis, D’Vine Beauty Bar appears poised to remain a strong local option for comprehensive beauty care. 

For more information on services, bookings, and hours, visit their official site at dvinebeautybar317.square.site. 

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here. 

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