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Beyond ones and zeroes: Black women take the lead in tech

Noral Parham
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Beyond ones and zeroes: Black women take the lead in tech

The technology industry, a driving force of innovation and economic growth, has long been plagued by a lack of diversity. Despite making significant strides in recent years, Black women remain woefully underrepresented in the tech workforce.

According to a study by Reboot Representation, Black women hold approximately 3% of computing jobs in the United States. This stark underrepresentation is not only a matter of equity and fairness; it also represents a missed opportunity for the tech industry to tap into a vast pool of untapped talent and potential.

The reasons for the lack of diversity in tech careers are complex and multifaceted, but they often stem from systemic barriers that have disadvantaged Black women for generations.

The Education Trust reported that, “Students from marginalized groups, especially women, still have less access to AP STEM courses in high school and lower STEM degree attainment rates than their white male colleagues,” making it even more challenging to pursue a career in STEM.  After navigating the obstacles faced in education, more challenges remain once landing a sought-after role in the tech field.

“As a corporate woman, I have had a diverse set of experiences,” said Tonya Webb-Wallace, CEO of Gideon VI – Indianapolis-based business and IT consulting firm. “I have had blatant and overt discrimination situations. I have been passed up for promotional opportunities and had to report to a white male who had no experience, and they paid for him to have a mentor.”

A headshot of Tonya Webb-Wallace. (Photo provided/Webb-Wallace, Gideon VI)

Another inspiring example is the manager of business and technical consulting at Centric Consulting, Kimberly Bugg, who was honored as one of 2019’s Most Pivotal Leader by Open Pivot.

“My journey is probably very similar to many, related to being the only woman of color in my discipline,” Bugg said. “[I’m] often experiencing situations in which my knowledge of or expertise is undermined or dismissed; lack of opportunities for challenging roles or roles with more responsibility, irrespective of key successes – or even placed in junior roles; lack of acknowledgment of successes; lack of leadership support with career planning.”

Black women often face stereotypes and biases in the workplace that discourage them from pursuing or advancing in STEM careers – leading to feelings of isolation. Approximately 42% of Black women felt that interacting socially with colleagues could lead to negative perceptions about their capabilities, concerned that their personal lives would be used against them, according to a study published by the Harvard Business Review that surveyed women in STEM fields.

Wallace said that the biggest obstacle she has faced as a woman of color in tech has also been one of her greatest rewards.

“My biggest challenge is my greatest opportunity,” Wallace said. “The challenge was to learn my progressive and challenging roles, learn to navigate corporate, learn to understand people, their behavior, and communication styles, and, even more … learn who I am.”

In the face of so many challenges, Black women are still making their mark in the tech industry and breaking down barriers. They lead the way in founding groundbreaking companies and advocating for change within the industry.

As the tech industry continues to evolve, both women envision a brighter future for Black women in STEM careers.

Bugg believes that a change in the makeup of the industry should begin at the ground level and work its way up.

“I believe this begins with increased representation at all levels, equitable access to opportunities and a supportive, inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives,” Bugg said.

Echoing Bugg’s statement, Wallace not only wants to see inclusion but also advancement at the highest levels for women of color.

“I want to see more women leaders hired and promoted as directors, senior directors and beyond,” Wallace said. “They need to see more of us leading to inspire and create more demand for the next generation of tech leaders.”

Contact multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral. For more news from Noral and the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.

Beyond business: Black executive leaders paving the way in Indy

Jade Jackson
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Beyond business: Black executive leaders paving the way in Indy

Amidst the vibrant economic landscape of Indianapolis, the rise in Black executive leadership symbolizes a pivotal shift in the city’s corporate realm.  

An emergence in Black presidents and CEOs, especially in nonprofit spaces, not only underscores a drive for diversity but also represents a crucial step toward equitable leadership. 

RELATED: New Fathers and Families Center president, CEO wants to make ‘well-kept secret’ more known

“My call to the ministry inspired me to leave a lucrative and promising career in corporate America to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. At the age of 32, I was the youngest director of corporate strategy in the history of a multibillion company in Indiana,” said Larry Smith, president and CEO of Fathers and Families Center.  

He also created a space for Black nonprofit CEOs in the city so that they can stay connected, knowing that the path to success for many Black leaders often involves overcoming challenges like societal barriers.  

“It’s sad that African Americans have to work three times as hard as white Americans only to have less success generally,” said Smith.  

For many Black Americans, those barriers can include, but are not limited to, access to quality education, experiencing poverty, systemic racism and enduring prejudices in different spaces, including the workspace.  

This can lead individuals down a destructive path, knowing that the odds are stacked against them.  

Breaking barriers

James Wilson went to prison when he was 17 years old and came out when he was 26 years old. Even when he knew he wanted to change his life for the better after release, he never thought he would be the CEO of Circle Up Indy – an organization that has affordable housing initiatives and offers employment programs, rent assistance, weekly food distribution and direct community engagement.  

“I see myself impacting the broader narrative of Black leadership in Indianapolis by bringing innovation to a level that has not been seen,” said Wilson.  

“I would like to empower more Black economic development that truly allows a community to thrive and grow with less drug intake and violence within our community and city.”  

Jeffrey A. Harrison, president & CEO of Citizens Energy Group, came from a family of six children. His father was a bricklayer and Harrison worked with him in the summer.  

He credits his father with developing his strong work ethic. At times throughout his childhood, even with his hard-working father, the family struggled to put food on the table.  

“As one of just a few Black CEOs in Central Indiana, I believe I have a special responsibility to help lead collective action for racial and economic equity in our region,” said Harrison.  

“Since becoming Citizens Energy Group’s CEO in 2015, members of the Black community still approach me at public events to tell me how proud they are to see someone who looks like them leading such an important company.”  

Beyond business

Paradise Bradford is the executive director of Pretty Passionate Hands, which focuses on providing support, mentorship and guidance to teen parents in Indianapolis.  

Through her leadership position, she wants to provide hope to other women filled with a passion or call to a purpose by bringing them to understand that leadership is not always earned based on education or workforce connections.  

“There are many challenges I face in this city. Not being born or raised here and having to find your network, you must find the circles that accept you and hear you out. Being able to be heard has been the hardest,” said Bradford.  

“I have been bold enough to start conversions, but ultimately being vulnerable and not being afraid to ask for help has been my best way to navigate.” 

Pretty Passionate Hands has a mentorship program that provides basic living skills to equip teen parents with the knowledge they need to become successful and sustainable individuals. 

They offer a free pantry for clothing, hygiene items, diapers, wipes and baby equipment for teen parents.  

The organization provides outings to community activities that families may not be able to afford or experience. On top of that, teen parents are provided holiday and school assistance and throughout the year are offered seasonal clothing for their babies and themselves. 

Jasmin Shaheed-Young is the president and CEO of Rise Indy, a movement to ensure every Indianapolis student has access to a quality public school.  

Her passion for revitalizing public education began with her parents and their firm commitment to justice.  

Representation matters

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without mentorship. When I reflect on the pivotal points in founding RISE INDY, I remember how mentorship from other leaders had benefited me at that time. I learned about the challenges they faced and how they navigated them,” said Shaheed-Young.  

“There was an absence of leadership programs specifically for young Black and non-Black professionals. It’s beautiful to see the array of choices now.” 

She said this includes the Indianapolis Urban League’s The Exchange, IU Health’s Inspiring Leader, United Way of Central Indiana’s Leadership United and Circle City Leaders. 

Perry Hines, president & CEO of Wheeler Mission, said he has always had a profound love for community service. Over the years, he has helped several nonprofit organizations, such as the Madame Walker Legacy Theater, Indiana Black Expo, Indianapolis Urban League and more.  

It has been important to him to combine his volunteer nonprofit work with his corporate work throughout his career.  

“Like most African Americans in any type of leadership role, more is going to be demanded and expected of you in order for you to be perceived as successful,” said Hines.  

“Given the historical stereotypes that have prevailed throughout the history of our great country, African Americans have often had to start the leadership race behind the starting line. That dilemma has plagued many African American leaders, and my experience has been no different.”  

Hines emphasized the importance of having mentors and being a mentor along one’s journey. Mentorship and community engagement are two of the essential building blocks for success, both personally and professionally.  

Business barriers

He said those foundational elements provide perspective, context and access to individuals and organizations that will help propel one to success.  

“Know who you are and what you want to accomplish. Indy can be a tough environment for African American professionals, but there is a booming network of young and more seasoned African American executives ready and willing to step up to the plate,” said Hines.  

Kendrea Williams founder and CEO of PitchFeast – an entrepreneur support organization that provides BIPOC business leaders with essential business development support- knows firsthand the struggles Black leaders face.  

“As a Black CEO, I have faced challenges such as implicit bias, limited access to networks and, sometimes, skepticism about the viability of our mission. Navigating these challenges has involved building stronger networks, both within and outside of the city, and fostering relationships with key partners in the entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Williams. 

“By consistently delivering results and showcasing the success stories of the entrepreneurs we support, we’ve been able to challenge the preconceived notions and build trust within the community.” 

She was inspired to pursue a leadership role through a deep-rooted commitment to addressing systemic inequalities.  

Williams recognizes the unique challenges that Black and brown entrepreneurs face when it comes to starting a business and accessing capital and resources, and she wanted to contribute to breaking down those barriers.  

“One crucial lesson is the importance of resilience. This journey to leadership often involves facing challenges. Learn and grow from your failures, be flexible when it comes to change and stay focused on your mission,” said Williams. 

“Lead with authenticity and empathy; these personal characteristics are foundational when it comes to building trust and long-lasting relationships.” 

A few Black leaders in the city

Alan Bacon – GANGGANG  

Paradise Bradford – Pretty Passionate Hands  

Barato Britt – Edna Martin Christian Center  

Claudia Cummings – Indiana Philanthropy Alliance  

Keesha Dixon – Asante Children’s Theater  

Rhiannon Edwards – Public Advocates in Community Re-Entry (PACE)  

Emil Ekiyor- InnoPower  

Carl Ellison – Indiana Minority Health Coalition  

Dr. Lorenzo Esters – The Indianapolis Foundation  

Perry Hines – Wheeler Mission Ministries  

Dr. Tenika Holden-Flynn – Teach for America Indianapolis  

Denell Howard – Evolve International   

Maggie Lewis – Boys & Girls Clubs of Indianapolis  

Tony Mason – Indianapolis Urban League  

Andrea Neely – Simon Youth Foundation  

Kendra Nowell – Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFÉ)  

Fred Payne – United Way of Central Indiana  

Dee Ross – The Ross Foundation  

Ericka Sanders – You Yes You Project  

Derrin Slack – ProAct Indy  

Larry Smith – Fathers and Families Center 

Katina Washington – SHE Event  

James Wilson – Circle Up Indy  

Kia Wright – VOICES Corp  

How Black Hoosiers can build generational wealth at any age: Different options to consider when you are trying to strategize for you and/or your family’s financial future

Jade Jackson
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How Black Hoosiers can build generational wealth at any age: Different options to consider when you are trying to strategize for you and/or your family’s financial future

As Black individuals navigate avenues to secure financial freedom, exploring strategies and pathways becomes imperative.

Unfortunately, it is not easy when financial literacy is low among many U.S. adults.

On average, African Americans answered 38% of the P-Fin Index, which measures knowledge and understanding of sound financial decision making and management of personal finances.

“There are people who are financial advisors who can explain the differences in even insurance, for example, because that’s a big thing in our community. We’re not aware of even retirement accounts,” said Monica Warran, CEO of Face Finances.

“Something else that people don’t really think about are banking products. So, going to your bank and talking to them about a high-yield savings account or CDs, which is a way to invest your money, but it’s not as risky as the stock market.”

RELATED: From Financial Literacy to Legacy: Empowering Women for Equitable Communities

Warren grew up in a single parent household with her mother, and watching her mother pay off all the debt she and her father incurred to provide a better life for Warren taught Warren how to be a good steward of her money.

Face Finances, founded in 2019, provides services that include but are not limited to bookkeeping, taxes, payroll, cost analysis and budgets. The company currently serves around 78 clients; 97% of its clientele are Black.

Warren said that Black Hoosiers have to start somewhere and seeking out helpful resources is a great start.

She also understands that lack of knowledge does not come from personal ignorance.

“A lot of it comes from systemic racism. That’s why there is such a large wealth gap. We weren’t allowed to bank. We weren’t allowed to work in lucrative positions; to be allowed to invest. Home ownership is another big one,” said Warren.

“That has typically been a way to pass down generational wealth, but we all understand redlining and credit appraisals.”

CollegeChoice 529
A CollegeChoice 529 direct savings plan is a Section 529 plan offered by the Indiana Education Savings Authority. It is designed to help families save for college in a tax-advantaged way. A parent can start an account with as little as $10 and make investments as their child grows.

It also offers investment options to raise money over time to relieve the financial burden of college tuition costs.

Custodial investment or
Roth IRA accounts
Children have a lot of time to see money grow in a custodial brokerage or Roth IRA account before they reach adulthood. Investing is not just for adults.

Through the Under the Uniform Gift to Minors Act or Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA), a parent can open an account in their name and their child will automatically take full control once they reach 18 in the state of Indiana.

For teens with taxable income from a part-time job, a Roth IRA is ideal
The contributions a child makes will grow tax-free. Those contributions can be pulled out at any time, while the investment growth can be used for retirement or a home purchase.

According to NerdWallet, some of the best custodial accounts are Charles Schwab, Fidelity Investments and Vanguard.

High-yield savings accounts
A high-yield savings account, sometimes called a high-interest savings account, pays higher-than-average interest rates on deposits that grow money over time. That is because the Annual Percentage Yield (APY) can be as high as 5%, and for some banks, interest gained over time is reflected at the end of every month.

Banks that offer high-yield savings accounts include PNC Bank, BMA, Capital One, Discover, Lending Club and Citibank.

Cash value life insurance
Cash value life insurance policies have a savings component that accompanies universal life and whole life policies. Essentially, when you pay your premium, a portion goes toward funding the policy’s cash value.

That cash value earns interest over time at either a fixed or variable rate depending on the type of permanent policy. Once the policy accumulates enough cash value, the client can begin to access that money in various ways.

The policyholder can borrow from their life insurance in case of a medical emergency or if they want to put a payment down on a house.

The top companies that offer cash value life insurance policies are Mass Mutual and Life Guardian.

Life insurance trusts
A life insurance trust is created when an individual transfers the ownership of their term or whole life insurance policy to a trust. 

It is a legal agreement that allows a third party to manage the death benefit from a life insurance policy. A trust ensures that a policy’s death benefit is distributed to beneficiaries (loved ones) according to the deceased’s wishes.

In a landscape marked by historical disparities and systemic barriers, the pursuit of economic prosperity can offer a beacon of hope for future generations.

The Cheesecake Lady: The rise of Indy’s go-to dessert vendor

CHLOE McGOWAN
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The Cheesecake Lady: The rise of Indy’s go-to dessert vendor

The Cheesecake Lady, or Cassie Smith-Johnson, is now serving Hoosiers a treat out of her very own store.

For the last three years, Smith-Johnson, the woman behind the batter, has been operating her lucrative dessert business out of Indy’s Kitchen while also maintaining wholesale items in approximately 25 different locations around the city. As of Nov. 11, 2023, The Cheesecake Lady officially has its first brick-and-mortar, located at 305 W. 42nd St., where customers can find homemade cheesecake cups, full cakes and more.

“I really enjoy the customer interaction that I’m gonna get to have again on a daily basis. I love seeing smiley faces. I love getting feedback from customers,” Smith-Johnson said. “So, I’m just looking forward to growing my business; the wholesale side has grown tremendously, so I’m really excited about that part too.”

Like many of Indianapolis’ entrepreneurs, Smith-Johnson started her business during the pandemic, in December 2020. There was no epiphany or months of planning, Smith-Johnson said she simply saw an opportunity to create a business out of one of her passions and ran with it. 

That opportunity came in the form of a friend’s Facebook post where they asked if anyone knew how to make a banana pudding cheesecake. Smith-Johnson responded, having been making her own cheesecakes for friends and family consistently since she was a teenager and learned how to make it with her older sister.

“It’s the passion that has become a career that wasn’t planned,” Smith-Johnson said. “So, it’s outside of all of those stressful parts, managing the finances and employees — that’s stressful no matter what the field is — but just doing what I love and actually getting paid to do it is insane; it’s a dream that I didn’t even know I had.”

It was not until September 2023 that Smith-Johnson was able to leave her 9-to-5 job in insurance to pursue The Cheesecake Lady full-time. She said it can be scary to manage everything, especially since she also has a family to take care of, but that she loves the freedom entrepreneurship brings. 

Although she does not have a traditional background in business, management or marketing, Smith-Johnson is driven by her love of baking and desire to give back to the community. In the beginning, Smith-Johnson did everything by hand and by herself — she sold out of her own kitchen before moving into a small suite inside of a spa. 

A few hiccups and challenges along the way would not stop Smith-Johnson from pushing forward and growing her business. By March 2021, she moved The Cheesecake Lady into Indy’s Kitchen, a full-service commercial kitchen where she could bake all of her cheesecakes and recruit a team to help her.

“A personal challenge is that I’ve never really successfully run a business before, so, even today, I’m still learning,” Smith-Johnson said. “Even though I’ve been in business for almost three years now, this is the first year where I’ve actually had a full staff … so that’s a challenge or opportunity that I feel like I have a lot of room to improve, but, you know, I’m doing it right now; we’re gonna have 12 or 13 employees all together.”

Brittney Turner, a team lead for The Cheesecake Lady, said she has been working with Smith-Johnson since she was at Indy’s Kitchen — although she has known her since she was younger. When Turner was in need of a job, she said Smith-Johnson offered to show her the ropes of her business.

Not only was Turner able to get work experience before and while attending Indiana State University, but she also said she was able to develop essential baking and business skills while working alongside Smith-Johnson.

“She’s [Smith-Johnson] such a hard worker and a busy body; you will never see her sitting down. She just moves, and moves, and moves, and moves,” Turner said. “One thing, she is determined; she is always going to get it done.”

Turner said The Cheesecake Lady is a great example of how local Black businesses start out small but can grow into community staples with hard work, dedication and local support.

“I definitely think it’s good to see her grow from this small Black business to being bigger and having her own retail store,” Turner said. “Most people wouldn’t be this far in this short amount of time.” 

The Cheesecake Lady’s new storefront is located at 305 W. 42nd St. Smith-Johnson is still baking out of Indy’s Kitchen for the time being and aims to open a second store with a full-service kitchen by January 2024. For more information and a full menu, visit thecheesecakeladyindy.com.

Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848 or chloegm@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.

DYC Fitness: Two friends in fitness

Jade Jackson
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DYC Fitness: Two friends in fitness

Joshua Hibbitt and Jeremy Stevens are best friends who grew up in Indianapolis playing sports. Hibbitt ran track; Stevens played baseball; and they both were Lawrence Central High School football athletes.

Hibbitt went on to run track for Tennessee State University, and Stevens played football at Buter University.

“Athletics and working out has always been a thing. Over time, though, I gained all this weight through poor eating habits. I gained about 300 pounds,” said Stevens.

Stevens’ experience as an athlete and his exercise science degree gave him an understanding of the science behind weight loss.

He said his workouts never stopped, but what he ate and how he ate is what changed his body weight.

Stevens eventually posted his physical transformation online and was surprised by the feedback, which brought him to confide in his friend.

Joshua Hibbitt and Jeremy Stephens (Photo provided/via Instagram)

“I was like, ‘Hey man, all these people keep asking me how I lost all this weight, and I’m just giving them this free information.’ I was telling them what I was eating, how I was working out and different exercises to do,” said Stevens.

He created an original 10-page Word document of useful tips for clients, like which restaurants to eat at, how much water to drink and how much protein you should have in a day.

He sent this document to Hibbitt, and DYC Fitness was born.

DYC, which stands for Disturb Your Comfort Fitness, was founded in 2017 as an online training company. The duo focused on nutritional health and offered different weight-loss plans.

They also sold athletic gear for people to work out in and offered training sessions.

“Similar to Jeremy, I always knew the fundamentals of fitness, but I didn’t always apply it. What helps is having that discipline and actually disturbing your comfort. If we’re comfortable, we can let ourselves go,” said Hibbitt.

In 2021, they opened a brick-and-mortar gym location at 1703 E. Michigan St., offering workout equipment for trainers and their clients to utilize.

They eventually decided that they needed a place for their own clients to train at and opened a second location at 1480 W. 86th St., where they have approximately 70 clients and six trainers. 

“They’re training only, meaning it’s by appointment only, and it just felt like something I would actually follow through with. I’m paying for it in advance, and I have a specific time that someone’s waiting for me,” said Kristen Abbott, longtime DYC Fitness client.

“It felt like something consistent that would help me continue working out. I used to run a lot, and then because of some old sports injuries, I had developed knee issues.”

Abbott consulted with several different orthopedic surgeons to inquire about avoiding knee surgery, and one suggested she avoid running; another suggested that she even stop walking for exercise.

However, she did not want to be deterred from working out.

“I had to find something different that would keep me exercising and healthy, and the unintended benefit which I didn’t expect from being with DYC is I’m actually able to run a little bit now,” said Abbott.

“Not as much as I was before I was running, but now, I’m able to run two to three miles a few times a week. That was because I was able to build up certain leg muscles with them.”

She said DYC Fitness is welcoming and encouraging and that she has seen clients of all fitness levels; the environment is a space of journeying together with no judgments.

“It’s fulfilling to see people transform under their own disturbing comfort meal plans and training places. We’ve seen people lose 50 to 100 pounds. It means something to watch people follow the plan that you created that changes the trajectory of their lives,” said Stevens.

“It’s also meaningful to start the brand here in Indianapolis because that’s where we’re from. It’s very cool to start a business and grow a business in your own backyard.”

DYC Fitness hopes to eventually expand across the state and beyond.  

Indy’s Black-owned vegan restaurants are making waves in the community

CHLOE McGOWAN
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Indy’s Black-owned vegan restaurants are making waves in the community

A vegan diet just might save your life — or at least prolong it.

Studies show a vegan diet — which consists of plant-based foods, excluding meat and dairy — can help lower blood pressure, manage diabetes and weight loss, and reduce risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol — health issues that are prevalent in the Black community.

“I looked around my community and I see the hurt of our community, and the access in our community, and how it impacts our lives,” Taria Slack, owner of Black Leaf Vegan, told the Recorder. “That was the biggest concern … access to foods, and food options, and healthier options … there was a lack there.”

Slack said she decided to start filling that gap and opened the first Black Leaf Vegan food truck nearly four years ago, becoming Indianapolis’s first vegan food truck. Having been vegan herself for nine years, Slack said she created a menu with plant-based options that would drive people to become interested in trying something new.

“Once you meet them where they are, they’ll come along for the process with you because they’ll start trusting you, and that’s what I want to do in my community,” Slack said. “I think that as people begin, like I said, trusting you as a cook, they will begin to try new things.”

The food truck’s success was so great that they were able to expand and establish a second truck. In October 2022, Black Leaf Vegan was able to open its first brick-and-mortar café at 335 W. 9th St.

The rise of vegan businesses

Shortly after the beginning of the pandemic, Indianapolis began to see an increase in the number of Black-owned vegan restaurants, food trucks and bakeries starting to take root. Kadeesha Wiggins, co-owner of Burgeezy, a local vegan burger joint that opened in August 2021, said the momentum can be attributed to situational awareness.

Black Leaf Vegan, owned by Taria Slack, opened its first brick-and-mortar at 335 W. 9th St. in October of 2022. (Photo provided/Black Leaf Vegan)

“There is a pretty decent sized Black vegan population in Indianapolis, and it’s crazy because a lot of us are entrepreneurs as well,” Wiggins said. “The pandemic slowed a lot of things down, so it gave us time to really sit back and realize that we have gifts, we have talents, and that we have something that we can offer the community, and [that] really does help change the narrative.”

Wiggins decided to go vegan in 2018 after struggling with digestive issues. Although she is not a dietitian, Wiggins said going vegan led to less bloating and constipation, a more balanced gut, clearer skin, better vision and more energy.

Kadeesha Wiggins initially operated Burgeezy alongside co-owner and husband Antoine Wiggins as a test kitchen out of Indy’s Kitchen in 2021. Less than a year in, they were selected to be part of BeNimble Foundation and Melon Ghost Kitchen’s Food Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program at The AMP at 16 Tech.

Thanks to this grant, the vegan burger joint opened its first brick-and-mortar location, on the Canal Walk, on Sept. 9, 2023. Since then, Wiggins said they have seen three times the amount of business.

Burgeezy serves many purposes, Wiggins said, such as offering the community accessible vegan comfort food and bringing the community together around healthier alternatives. Growing up, a lot of the food they ate was based on accessibility, and Wiggins said she wanted to recreate some of those comfort dishes for the community but “veganize them.” 

Good Vegan/Bad Vegan were the champions of The Food Truck Battle Royale at the 2023 Melanin in May. (Photo provided/Raheem Malik Abdullah)
Good Vegan/Bad Vegan were the champions of The Food Truck Battle Royale at the 2023 Melanin in May. (Photo provided/Raheem Malik Abdullah)

“I think it’s important that there are vegan options so that everyone knows that there are alternatives that are healthier without actually having to sacrifice the food,” Wiggins said. “You can still have a delicious burger that is plant-based but you wouldn’t be able to tell from the taste.”

Raheem Malik Abdullah, owner of Good Vegan Bad Vegan, shared a similar sentiment, having made the decision to go vegan about four years prior after having struggled with high blood pressure, diabetes and weight — health concerns the Black community experiences at a much higher rate. When medication did not work, he decided to go the holistic route, cutting dairy and red meat from his diet.

“I’m gonna be honest, just because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s like the best option for you,” Abdullah said. “But we try to put the better options there.”

Abdullah hails from a family of entrepreneurs and cooks, so he decided to use his culinary skills to open Good Vegan Bad Vegan, a food truck often found off 25th Street and Burdsal Parkway, near Riverside Park, in August 2022. 

The food truck offers an array of vegan options, from vegan burgers and fries to alkaline options, such as salads and raw tacos, he said.

“There’s actually a food desert right there,” Abdullah said. “We’re some of the number one people that have these high blood pressure, diabetes issues, you know, the Black community does. If you look around in those areas … there’s definitely a lack of that. You can go find all the bad foods that cause these issues, but you can’t find any healthy food to combat that.”

Making that transition

Tasheka Brewer, owner of Brewer Bakes, has been baking and selling plant-based cookies since 2017, a year after she decided to switch to an entirely plant-based diet in an effort to lose weight and avoid complications with diabetes and high blood pressure — which ran in her family.

Tasheka Brewer has been baking and selling plant-based cookies out of her online-based bakery Brewer Bakes since 2017. (Photo provided/Tasheka Brewer)

Brewer said she decided to use her baking skills, which she learned from her grandmother, to start a business to help people transition into a plant-based lifestyle.

“It would be a great way to introduce the vegan lifestyle to the African American community because the number one question a vegan gets is, ‘Well, if you don’t eat meat, what do you eat?’” Brewer said. “I thought it would be really cool to introduce them to a sweet but more so a healthier version, so that’s why I chose cookies.”

Brewer’s cookies are now found all over the city, from Cleo’s Cafe and Bodega to The Alkaline Electric Goddess and soon to be in Georgetown Market. Although, if you see Brewer driving around the city, you can always call the number on her car, and she will pull over to sell you some cookies.

Going forward, Brewer said she shares the same hope for the vegan community as Wiggins, Abdullah and Slack, which is to hopefully expand their businesses and see more people become conscious of their diets and try plant-based foods in response. 

“I believe that the plant-based community here in Indianapolis is continuing to grow,” Brewer said. “And I plan on continuing to grow my business along with the community.”
Although they are certainly not here to turn everyone vegan, Wiggins said it would be nice to see more people choosing options that are “just as delicious but a little bit better on the heart or a little lower on the cholesterol.”

Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.

Create.Connect.Collab.: The community for boss women

Jade Jackson
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Create.Connect.Collab.: The community for boss women

What started off as a focus group in Starla Mathis’ living room in 2017 has grown into a virtual community for women offering professional development, accountability and networking.

Create.Connect.Collab., co-owned by Starla Kay Mathis and Lateva Woolfork, cultivates a community that provides leaders and entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive.

“I noticed I was starting to get stagnant in my goals that I had for my life then. I wasn’t even trying to reach them or even take a little step towards them, and a lot of my friends from college, we had big dreams,” said Mathis.

“Each month, I saw this amazing synergy, and we started sharing resources and connections that we didn’t know about or have access to. It was just amazing seeing that.”

The fifth annual Unstoppable saw over three dozen participants, panelists and local-women vendors. (Photo/Jade Jackson)

Calling them Monthly Mastermind Meetings, the group tackled bringing to life the visions they had for their professional goals.  

That turned into a private Facebook group, which eventually turned into a retreat for women across the city.

“Star and I met through the Creator Society, which is a local influencer, creative minds collective. I saw her and a friend out in the world being bosses, and I was like, I want to know this energy,” said Woolfork.

“I came to my first Create.Connect.Collab. meeting, and I said, ‘I want to be in this; I want to create more conversations.’ Starla and I had a conversation of a lifetime where two girls who didn’t know each other at all come together.”

Woolfolk, an Indy transplant from Detroit, was looking for minority women who were likeminded.

RELATED: Maven Space: Where women thrive and ideas come alive

“So, I asked her what are you going to do with this? Because either I’m going to create a space, or we can do it together.”

They just celebrated their four-year friendship anniversary on Facebook.

Create.Connect.Collab. eventually started hosting their annual “Unstoppable” retreats for women across the city. With a membership of over 100 women who are entrepreneurs and business owners, the co-owners cultivated a boss sisterhood.  

It started with the first retreat Mathis held in 2019 at an Airbnb.

They hosted their fifth annual retreat at Maven Space in November 2023. Over three dozen participants, panelists and local women vendors made the retreat a success.

Using a term they heard from Patricia Gamble-Moore with PNC Bank, the retreat focused on B.A.I.L., which stands for banker, accountant, insurance and lawyer – the components a business owner needs to have in their corner for success.  

A’Bryanna Williams, co-owner of HBH (Hello Beautiful Hair) Professionals – a haircare line for Black textures – was given business strategy and operation tips from Create.Connect.Collab. before she became a vendor at the event.

“It’s our second year of being a part of the annual retreat. It’s great to be a part of and just build a community that matters. You never know what kind of connections you’re going to make that are going to help you and vice versa. Even with the retreat, I see growth from last year,” said Williams.

Lateva Woolfork and Starla Mathis open the 2023 Unstoppable Retreat inside Maven Space on Nov. 11. (Photo/Jade Jackson)

Monica Warren, founder of the accounting firm Face Finances, felt a similar sense of community.

“I had several people that came to the retreat last year, and they told me it was just an amazing experience. I followed the ladies on social media, and I liked their personalities. I wanted to look forward to how I can further my business,” said Warren.

Woolfork said because collab is in their name, the organization allows women to link arms to bring each other up, especially if they are in the same industry.

“I feel like we’re moving mountains together. The goal was to just get women together, and to just do the things that we said we’re going to do, and just have that support and accountability,” said Woolfork.

To become a member of the organization, visit CreateConnectCollab.com.
Membership benefits include Monthly Master Mastermind sessions, monthly master classes and a monthly check-in.

Walk down memory lane: a commentary on reclaiming the Black narrative of Indiana Avenue

Noral Parham
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Walk down memory lane: a commentary on reclaiming the Black narrative of Indiana Avenue

Despite Black Americans comprising around 10% of Indiana’s population, only 3% of businesses in the state are Black-owned.

The disparity in Black businesses in Indiana, as well as the country as a whole, is a result of systemic racism and discrimination that has historically prevented Black entrepreneurs from accessing the same resources and opportunities as their white counterparts.

Indiana Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana, was also once known as “Black Wall Street.” It was a thriving center of Black business and culture in the early 20th century. The first Black-owned businesses on Indiana Avenue opened in the 1860s, and by the 1920s, the avenue was home to a wide range of Black-owned businesses.

“The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis,” a book authored by David J. Bodenhamer and others, thoroughly discusses the history of Indiana Avenue and its predominantly Black community at the beginning of the 20th century.

“The ‘Great Migration’ from the south to northern cities after World War I brought thousands of new African-Americans to the neighborhood around Indiana Avenue,” Bodenhamer said. “The Black population of Indianapolis more than doubled between 1910 and 1930, increasing from nearly 22,000 to nearly 44,000. Most of these new arrivals squeezed into the thriving westside area centered on Indiana Avenue.”

Related: What really happened on Indiana Avenue? a Story Untold

In the 1950s, Indiana University began to expand its medical campus, acquiring land and displacing residents near and on Indiana Avenue through eminent domain.

“After World War II, construction of interstate highways once again placed Indianapolis at the confluence of a national transportation system,” Phillip Scarpino said in his publication “Indianapolis Past and Present.” “Interstates 65, 69, 70, and 74 met in the middle, simultaneously making Indianapolis “The Crossroads of America” and tearing through lower-income, often African American, neighborhoods.”

The city also declared a large portion of the neighborhood to be blighted and substandard, which allowed the government to seize the land and demolish the buildings. The construction of Interstate 65 displaced many Black residents and businesses. As a result of these factors, the once-thriving Black business district on Indiana Avenue was decimated.

“Educational facilities expanded to serve the waves of postwar baby boomers who sought college and professional degrees,” Bodenhamer said. “IUPUI began to consolidate its facilities near the medical and dental schools along Michigan Street west of the downtown. To provide land for the new campus, another 16 blocks of slum housing was cleared.”

A photo of Indiana Avenue ('Indiana Ave') prior to the expansion of Indiana University and Interstate development. (Photo/Indiana Historical Society)
A photo of Indiana Avenue (‘Indiana Ave’) prior to the expansion of Indiana University and Interstate development. (Photo/Indiana Historical Society)

And the rest, as they say, was history. Black-owned businesses never truly recovered from attacks on their economy, like the Black Wall Street massacre. As a result, Black-owned businesses today are often underfunded and understaffed and struggle to compete with larger companies.

However, there are some positive developments for Black businesses in Indiana. Recently, initiatives jumpstarted by Black Business Matters, the Indianapolis Minority Business Magazine and the Indiana Black Expo (IBE) have proven fruitful in providing resources, education and visibility for Black entrepreneurs and businesses in Indiana.

Currently, there are approximately 915 Black businesses in the Indianapolis metropolitan area (including Carmel and Anderson). According to the Brookings Institute, Black businesses in the Indianapolis metropolitan area pay their employees an average salary of $30,795. The research also suggests that if the number of Black businesses in the Indianapolis metro area matched the population size and the employees per company matched the average business, it would generate more than 170,000 new jobs.

Many consumers are actively seeking out and supporting Black-owned businesses in Indianapolis, recognizing the importance of encouraging diversity and equity in the economy. By supporting Black-owned businesses, we can help to level the playing field and create a more just and equitable society for all.

It is important to recognize that supporting Black-owned businesses is not just a matter of charity but also a matter of economic justice. By empowering Black entrepreneurs, we can create a more vibrant and inclusive economy that benefits everyone.

“For many years, Indiana Avenue was almost exclusively a Black phenomenon,” Bodenhamer said.

Contact multi-media staff writer Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on Twitter @3Noral. For more stories from Noral, click here.

Tea’s Me Cafe, coming to a store near you!

CHLOE McGOWAN
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Tea’s Me Cafe, coming to a store near you!

Tea’s Me Cafe is now selling a line of bottled teas in grocery stores around Indiana.

The local tea cafe, owned by WNBA Hall of Famer and Olympic medalist Tamika Catchings, announced the launch of its new bottled teas in retail stores, such as Kroger, Fresh Thyme, Meijer and Market District, earlier this year. Although the cafe has sold bottled teas in-house at its three locations since 2019, this launch aims to increase access to healthier drink options on the go, Catchings said.

“Something we’re really excited about, I think, is just being able to take the Tea’s Me brand and bottle it up,” Catchings said. “It’s interesting now how many people are like, ‘Oh, we don’t like tea’ [and] have tried it and actually have enjoyed it.”

The bottled teas will include five of Tea’s Me Cafe’s most popular teas: Kenya, which is a traditional black tea, Tropical Cyclone and Summer blush, both green tea blends, and herbal blends Keywine and Pomegranate Blueberry.

Each tea is brewed from Tea’s Me Cafe’s loose-leaf tea, which Catchings said does not include any syrups or artificial flavorings. Each blend is semi-sweetened with agave and only about 50 calories. 

However, the bottled teas also feature a small amount of preservatives, as Catchings said the original shelf life of their teas was limited to just under a week. The new bottles should last about a year and are “a great way to start” before branching out to include other flavors, Catchings said.

“We’ve been blessed because even with our bottled teas before at Butler Brew and of course our three locations, we started thinking about, ‘We’re going to be bottling teas anyway in-house,’” Catchings said.

Initially, Catchings said she hoped to make Tea’s Me Cafe the “Starbucks of tea,” and since tea was something she grew up loving, expanding the reach of the shop across the city has been a no-brainer. Since she acquired the shop in 2017, Catchings opened a second location at Tarkington Park in 2021 and a third at Ivy Tech in January 2023. The bottled teas, however, have been in the works since 2019, she said.

For Tea’s Me, 2023 was a bit of an exploratory year, Catchings said. In addition to having bottled teas in 16 different retail stores across Indiana, Tea’s Me Cafe branched out into catering events and launched the first cohort of a leadership program.

“I love serving,” Catchings said. “So, being able to have the foundation where we serve from that aspect, and pulling it into the tea shop, and being able to hire young people, this being their first job — all that goes into what-building; that’s what makes it satisfying.”

Teryna Owens, who has been working at Tea’s Me for two years, said she enjoys the way her job allows other workers and herself to really be in the community. Everyone who works there is or knows someone who is part of outreach in the area, she said.

Having spent time working at Tea’s Me Cafe, Owens said she has gained both work and life skills, such as learning about healthier alternatives to coffee or soda, as well as strengthening her communication and outreach skills.

“Definitely, with learning about tea, I’ve learned a lot more about what I put in my body and different things like that; being healthy, and how to educate the younger people around me, and how to be healthy,” Owens said. “I’m not drinking as much pop anymore, which is better. As far as, like, outer skills, my communication and, like, being out there, I’m no longer shy; I can introduce myself and tell people about my business and what I do.”

Going forward, Tea’s Me Cafe is working toward opening a fourth location in the Indianapolis area as well as selling its bottled teas at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in 2024. For more information about Tea’s Me Cafe’s upcoming events or campaigns, visit teasmeindy.com or Facebook, Instagram and X @teasmeindy. 

Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.

Indy Fresh Market: A fresh take on combating food insecurity

STAFF
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Indy Fresh Market: A fresh take on combating food insecurity
Customers shopping at the farm fresh meat department at Indy Fresh Market.

Indy Fresh Market opened in fall 2023, helping to solve the problem of food insecurity on the east side of Indianapolis. Owners and operators Michael McFarland and Marckus Williams developed plans for the store in partnership with Cook Medical, IMPACT, Martin University, United Northeast Community Development Corporation, Goodwill, neighborhood leaders, the City of Indianapolis and national grocery store expert Joe the Grocer.

Indianapolis natives McFarland and Williams opened the 16,700-square-foot grocery store to help improve the quality of life for families in the neighborhood.

“We need food around here. Kroger is gone. Safeway is gone. Walmart is gone. The closest store is five miles away, so we have to do something to provide for our community,” said Williams.

They pride themselves on being locally owned with local employees. They offer a full-service grocery store with fresh produce and a variety of meat and deli options.

The fresh and local produce selection of Indy Fresh Market.

According to Second Helpings, 13% of the total population and 23% of children in Marion County were food insecure in 2020. A convenience survey by the Indianapolis Food Related Initiative found that there is only one farmers market and national chain and zero cooperative or local farm chains in the 46226-zip code – the area where Indy Fresh Market is located.

Recognizing a need and feeling compelled to take action, McFarland and Williams decided to give back to the community that raised them.

“They are coming back to the community, two African American young men providing basic essential needs to the community,” said Michael Saahir, the store’s first customer who has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years. “It is a powerful testimony, and we’re grateful for their dedication.”

Providing for the community does not stop at addressing food insecurity; there also needs to be employment to improve residents’ ability to financially support themselves and their loved ones. Since its opening, Indy Fresh Market has employed more than 40 workers.

“I’m not from the area, but I’m in the area; so, it means a lot working here. Having a grocery store in the community – it has given people opportunities,” said Bobby Williams, a receiver at the market.

The cashiers’ area of the market.

Both McFarland and Williams believe in advancement within the company. “You might be a stocker today, but you could be a manager or supervisor tomorrow. These are our people,” said McFarland.

Williams feels that having access to the market will positively impact the surrounding area. “Food is a necessity for life. If people have food, crime will go down. People looking to feed their families for a quick dollar, now, we have access to healthy foods in the community. I believe crime will go down and everybody can eat,” Williams said.

Kenneth Sullivan Jr., pastor of New Direction Church, recognizing the efforts Williams and McFarland were making to help their community, partnered with the duo during Thanksgiving 2023. By donating $5,000, they were able to give out 50 gift cards to 100 families with the campaign “Get Indy Fresh.” Sullivan, McFarland and Williams were dedicated to ensuring local families had meals for the holidays.

The market is located at 6160 E. 38th St. and is open daily from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. To shop online, apply for a job or learn more, visit indyfreshmarket.com.

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