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Pacers Sports announces 2024-25 guest chef program participants

Hanna Rauworth
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Pacers Sports announces 2024-25 guest chef program participants

Pacers Sports & Entertainment rolled out the newest food offerings, and eight of the nine new chefs were selected to participate in this season’s KeyBank Guest Chef Program.

New technology at concession stands, including QR codes for easy ordering and pick-up, will also be available at select locations.

HotBox Pizza, Please & Thank You Cookies and beatbox beverages will also be available starting this season.

The following chefs were selected to participate in the 2024-25 KeyBank Guest Chef Program:

  • Tasha Claytor – T Street Eatz
  • Adrian Samano – Samanos Taqueria
  • Mycoe Andrews – Spice Grille
  • Brady Foster – Foster catering
  • Marlon Ricardo Llewellyn and Bryce Anthony Llewellyn – Scotchy Jamaican Grill
  • Darryl Howard – T’Days
  • Christian Manansala – Pinoy Garden Café
  • Juszina Kendrick – Classy Diva Caters DBA Juszina Maria’s Catering Studio

The chefs will prepare their signature dishes for fans at The Kitchen concession stand, located on the Main Concourse near Section 17. Portions of the profits will be donated to local nonprofits.

“On top of all the great food and beverage options, we’re dedicated to improving the fan experience with new technology, upgraded ordering systems, and additional self-serve markets, as well as an emphasis on sustainability to reduce our carbon footprint,” said Chris Albano, executive chef at Gainbridge.

To buy tickets to the Pacers, visit nba.com/pacers/tickets.

To read more featured stories, click here.

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.

Minority Business Highlight: Hank’s Smoked Briskets 

Hanna Rauworth
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Minority Business Highlight: Hank’s Smoked Briskets 

Time to put on your cowboy hats and saddle up for a serving of Hank’s Smoked Briskets, serving up a slice of Texas right in the heart of the Midwest.  

Founder Hank Fields moved to Indy in February 1973 from Henderson, Texas, a city about 120 miles east of Dallas. Not able to find any food resembling home, he opened Hank’s Smoked Briskets in 2004. 

Fields’ barbecue is characterized by smoking each brisket 8 to 12 hours over mesquite wood, which he buys from Texas. During the holidays, Fields smokes and sells turkeys and rib-eye steaks, which he says on his website “are probably better than the brisket!” 

The briskets are dressed with a mild, tangy sauce to not disrespect the process, Fields says.  

Served on sandwiches with sides of baked beans, mac n’ cheese, potato latkes or coleslaw, the brisket is the star of the show. Hank’s specialty dinners like the link dinner or the rib tip dinner feature a main and two sides for a larger portion, and potato dinners feature Fields’ creation atop a buttered potato with all the fixin’s.  

For those with a sweet tooth, Hank’s offers carrot cake, chess pie, apple cobbler, peach cobbler, cheesecake, sugar cream pie and sweet potato pie to complete your meal. 

Hank’s Smoked Briskets is at 3736 Martin Luther King Drive and is closed on Monday, open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 12-5 p.m. Catering is available to book by calling 317-925-1689. 

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: Pots & Pans Pie Co.

CHLOE McGOWAN
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Minority Business Highlight: Pots & Pans Pie Co.

Founded by local baker Clarissa Morley, Pots & Pans Pie Company first got its start selling sweet pies at farmers markets in the fall of 2016.

Until the spring of 2017, Morley baked all the pies and managed the business on her own, and it was not until the fall of that same year that her business expanded to include three different flavors of Take & Bake Pot Pies at farmers markets and select pop-ups around Indianapolis.

Pots & Pans Pie Company was so well received at the Broad Ripple farmers market that Morley was able to open a brick-and-mortar in that community, and in 2018, Pots & Pans Pie Company made its new home off North College Avenue.

The company partners with local farmers for all its ingredients and other shop offerings, including chicken, beef and pork from Becker Farms; fruit for sweet pies from Garwood Orchards; house plants from Schlegel Greenhouse, leaf lard for crusts from Gunthorp Farms and coffee beans for cold brew from Blue Mind Coffee Roasting.

Today, their menu features a variety of sweet and savory pastries and a seasonal sweet pies menu, which changes monthly and currently includes Chocolate Peanut Butter Icebox Pie, Apple Crumble Pie and Sugar Creme Brulee Pie.

The Take & Bake Pot Pies menu includes Classic Chicken Pot Pie, Beef and Mushroom Pot Pie, Biscuits and Gravy Pot Pie and Thai Chicken Curry Pot Pie.

Pots & Pans Pie Company is at 4915 N. College Ave. For more information or to order online, visit potsandpansindy.com. To get in contact, call 317-600-3475 or email  hello@potsandpansindy.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: Objects of Essence

Noral Parham
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Minority Business Highlight: Objects of Essence

Founded in 2012 by Carl Martin, Objects of Essence is a minority-owned business offering fragrance and wellness products.

Based in Indianapolis, Objects of Essence has carved out a lane of its own by providing high-quality fragrance oils, colognes, perfumes, beard oils, lotions and a variety of health and wellness items.

Martin started Objects of Essence with a vision to make premium fragrances accessible to everyone. He recognized that many consumers were looking for quality scents without the hefty price tag associated with luxury brands.

“When I started this business, I wanted to help people find a fragrance perfect for them and their wallets,” Martin told the Indianapolis Recorder.

By sourcing the finest ingredients and utilizing expert craftsmanship, Martin has succeeded in constructing a product line that meets the expectations of fragrance enthusiasts without breaking the bank.

A headshot of Carl Martin, the owner of Objects of Essence. (Photo via website)

Martin’s business and vision led him and Objects of Essence to become a finalist for PitchFeast. This competition helps minority-owned businesses get startup capital.

In an industry often dominated by high prices, exclusivity and a lack of diversity, Objects of Essence stands out as a beacon of accessibility and quality. With its affordable yet luxurious scents, this business not only enhances the lives of its customers but also exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit of minority-owned enterprises.

“I want to provide a tailored experience for everyone,” Martin said.

You can learn more about Objects of Essence via their website.

Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.

Minority Business Highlight: Marie J Boutique 

Hanna Rauworth
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Minority Business Highlight: Marie J Boutique 

At Marie J Boutique, the mission is simple: to help women feel confident and empowered through fashion.  

This minority-owned business is known for its curated selection of stylish and affordable clothing, offering everything from casual wear to chic statement pieces. The boutique’s eye for fashion and commitment to inclusivity have made it a go-to destination for women of all sizes and backgrounds. 

The boutique is online-only and houses a variety of sections for guests to browse. Tops, bottoms, dresses, sets, jackets, jumpsuits and rompers are available in sizes extra small through 3X. The boutique offers heels and sandals in their shoe section and sunglasses and purses as accessories. All sales are final. 

Owner Janae Smith has always had an eye for fashion. Being creative and crafting new styles and combinations inspired her to follow her passion and start Marie J boutique.  

Customers who join the mailing list can access exclusive first and receive 10% off their first order. The fall sale is happening now through Oct. 31. Collections and stock vary by availability. 

To shop online and learn more, visit mariejboutique.com. To stay up to date on their newest collections and products, follow them on Instagram @mariejboutique. 

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. 

How Indianapolis’ New Chase Senior Business Consultant is Committed to Helping Entrepreneurs

Sponsored Content by JPMorgan Chase and Co.
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How Indianapolis’ New Chase Senior Business Consultant is Committed to Helping Entrepreneurs

By: JPMorganChase

Running a business is no easy task – and growing that business can be even more challenging. That’s why Chase is committed to helping entrepreneurs along their business journey through its Coaching for Impact program.

Launched in 2020, Coaching for Impact is a complimentary consulting program for established businesses, providing guidance and tools to help entrepreneurs in historically underserved neighborhoods manage and grow their businesses.

The program helps match small business owners with a Chase Senior Business Consultant, a financial services industry veteran. There are 74 Senior Business Consultants in 35 U.S. cities. Recently, Shellie Vernon joined the team as Chase’s Indianapolis Senior Business Consultant, bringing with her 12 years of experience in the financial industry.
Question: To start off, tell us a little about you. What brought you to Indianapolis?

Shellie Vernon: I’m a Hoosier at heart. Since I was three years old, I’ve lived in Indianapolis on the westside. Being a Senior Business Consultant in the place I call home inspires me to bring my best every day to serve those in my community. I’ve seen firsthand how Indianapolis has transformed and I’m committed to helping our small businesses grow with it.

Question: How would you describe your role as a Chase Senior Business Consultant?

Shellie Vernon: As a Chase Senior Business Consultant, my job is to build trust and deepen relationships with local business owners. I do this by meeting with them one-on-one to get a sense of their goals and any obstacles they’re facing over 2-4 months. Together, we come up with a plan to tackle specific issues like access to capital, customers, networks and other resources needed to grow and scale. I’m here to help businesses at any stage because we know when our local businesses succeed, we all succeed. I’m so proud to serve Indianapolis entrepreneurs.
Question: Who is eligible for the program and where can business owners go to get more information?

Shellie Vernon: There is no cost or formal criteria to participate in the Chase Coaching for Impact program – you don’t even have to be a Chase customer! While the program focuses on working with established businesses who have been in business for 2+ years, entrepreneurs at every stage can learn more about the program at Chase.com/CoachingforImpact.
For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any individual. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy.
Deposit products provided JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

© 2024 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

PitchFeast awards $55K to Black-owned businesses

Noral Parham
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PitchFeast awards $55K to Black-owned businesses

PitchFeast, a transformative competition designed to empower Black and Brown entrepreneurs, held its competition Oct. 10 at the Collaboration Hub in Hamilton County. The night wrapped up with four entrepreneurs receiving thousands of dollars in funding.

The Shark Tank-style event provides a platform for ten innovative businesses to showcase their visions to a panel of investors, competing for much-needed startup capital.The top prize is $25,000, alongside additional funding awards of $15,000 and $10,000 for second and third place respectively.

Founder and Executive Director of PitchFeast Kendrea J. Williams believes the event went off without a hitch.

 “PitchFeast is pivotal to the Indiana business landscape because traditional banks often neglect or intentionally disregard Black and brown entrepreneurs who are seeking startup capital,” Williams said in a statement. “Offering easily accessible funding is just one concrete measure Central Indiana can take to support Black and brown founders in launching new and successful businesses in this region.”

The top prize was taken home by Lux Beauty Spa. Second place honors went to Sweetie’s Candy Boutique and Emporium. Third place went to T Street Eatz.

Owner of The Mental Health Spa Cydaria Cooke could hardly contain her excitement following the win.

Additionally, an audience’s choice prize of $5,000 was awarded, reflecting the community’s engagement and support. The Mental Health Spa took home the Audience Choice Award.

Cydaria Cooke during 2024 PitchFeast.
Cydaria Cooke, owner of The Mental Health Spa, giving her pitch during PitchFeast on October 10, 2024 in Hamilton County, Indiana. (Photo provided/PitchFeast)

“There is a stigma surrounding mental health,” Cooke told the Indianapolis Recorder. “This funding is going to help eliminate that stigma and push the community forward.”

Among the other participating businesses that pitched this fall are a diverse range of ventures.

From “Scents N Wicks,” a company specializing in handcrafted candles, to “Feel Better Naked,” a wellness brand focused on body positivity, each entrepreneur brings a unique vision to the table.

Other participants include Integrate School, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities; “Sunnie Side Up, a plant-based food service that provides farm-to-table meals, and Objects of Essence, showcasing the rich diversity of ideas and solutions that these entrepreneurs represent.The impact of PitchFeast extends beyond the immediate financial rewards. It cultivates a sense of community and shared purpose among participants. Owner of Sunnie Side Up Sunnie Davis believes PitchFeast is a good outlet for startups of color.

Sunniie Davis of Sunnie Side Up Plant-based meals during 2024 PitchFeast.
Owner of Sunnie Side Up Plant-based Meals Sunnie Davis giving her pitch during PitchFeast, held on October 10, 2024. (Photo provided/PitchFeast)

“PitchFeast provides entrepreneurs that look like me a fighting chance at leveling the playing field when it comes to business,” Davis said.

Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news from the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, visit our homepage.

Minority Business Highlight: Compassionate Senior Care

CHLOE McGOWAN
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Minority Business Highlight: Compassionate Senior Care

Owned by Ebony Ligon, Compassionate Senior Care provides in-home care services and solutions for elderly clients.

Ligon grew up with a profound love and respect for the elderly. Driven by her close relationship with her grandmother and family matriarch, she was inspired to create a homecare agency that would prioritize the health and well-being of senior citizens.

Compassionate Senior Care treats each client with dignity and respect, as if they were family, allowing clients to maintain an enriched and independent lifestyle.

Ligon’s mission is to build trusting relationships with her clients, fostering a community where seniors feel cared for and respected through services such as homemaking and companion care, physical disability support, dementia and Alzheimer’s patient support, medication management, American veterans care connection, meal preparation, hygiene services and light housekeeping.

Those interested in Compassionate Senior Care may book a free 30-minute consultation or a free one-hour assessment to get started.

Compassionate Senior Care is located at 5023 E. 56th St. For more information about services or scheduling, visit indyseniorcare.com/home to get in contact, call 317-449-4857 or email Info@indyseniorcare.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.

Bohemian Virtue and the power of feminine wellness 

Noral Parham
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Bohemian Virtue and the power of feminine wellness 

Bohemian Virtue is a Black-owned, woman-owned business based in Indianapolis that provides a unique mix of spiritual wellness products and services.  

Founded with a focus on holistic healing, the business provides a range of items like healing crystals, intention candles, manifestation oils and jewelry. Their service includes yoni steams, a practice aimed at feminine wellness, facilitated by founder Cheyenne Hayden, who brings expertise and warmth to the experience.  

Additionally, Bohemian Virtue offers doula services, smoke accessories and wholesale options, all crafted with the intention of uplifting and healing.  

The brand caters to customers seeking personal growth, spiritual alignment and a touch of luxury through its carefully curated products. Whether it’s the soothing effects of a yoni steam or the empowerment brought by using their healing crystals, Bohemian Virtue delivers an experience that merges health with a sense of uplift. Their products and services emphasize self-care, manifesting abundance and embracing inner strength. 

a photo of Bohemian Virtue owner Cheyenne Hayden.
a photo of Bohemian Virtue owner Cheyenne Hayden. (Photo via Facebook)

Hayden’s leadership shines through the tailor-made touch in everything Bohemian Virtue offers, ensuring that clients not only purchase products but are guided through transformative experiences.  

For more information, visit Bohemianvirtue.com. 

Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. If you would like your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here. 

The above claims are not medical advice. 

Minority Business Highlight: Luxe Locks Curls 

Hanna Rauworth
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Minority Business Highlight: Luxe Locks Curls 

Specializing in products for women of color, Luxe Locks Curls is a hair care line that is all about celebrating every curl, coil and wave and helping women learn to love their natural hair. 

Why choose these hair care products instead of others? According to their website it’s for several reasons: for purity, for safety, for quality, for health, for gentleness, for children and for fun.  

leave in conditioner on Luxe Locks Curls website
Pina Co-lotta Leave In by Luxe Locks Curls. (Photo via/Luxe Locks Curls website)

The company prides themselves on using natural and organic ingredients, all of which are listed on their website and have been tested for skin and hair safety. Their products are based on science and avoid toxic chemicals found in other hair products and are never tested on animals. 

Founder Genesis Noelle says her journey began with her own hair struggles. Facing hair loss and damage, she set out to make her own products that were safe, nontoxic and empowering.   

woman, Genesis Noelle, creator of Luxe Locks Curls
Founder Genesis Noelle. (Photo via/Luxe Locks Curls website)

In her journey, she not only found out that natural ingredients work best to grow healthy hair, but that hair products marketed towards Back women were linked to cancer and infertility. 

Noelle offers a wide array of products like the Pina Co-lotta Leave-In and the Cotton Candy Gel-O, both fresh takes on traditional Black hair products with natural ingredients. Luxe Locks Curls also offers curl defining cream, African Black Soap shampoo, fruit punch refresher spray, hair growth oil, deep conditioner, brushes, scrunchies and more.  

While most products are sold online, customers can find their products at The Maxx Beauty & Supply Co. in Indy. For those unsure on what products to buy for their hair, the Luxe Locks Curls website has a built-in quiz to determine the perfect fit. 

All of the products are safe for children, and the website has sampler products, tutorials and review videos for those who are looking to buy. 

For more information and to browse available products, visit luxelockscurls.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. 

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