The Indianapolis Recorder is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, spotlighting the best products and services from minority-owned and diverse businesses in the Indianapolis area. If you own, operate or know of a business, creator or service that deserves to be featured this holiday season, now is the time to nominate.
Who can be nominated
Eligible nominees include minority-owned businesses, local entrepreneurs, makers, artisans and small business owners offering products or services that make great gifts. Businesses must be actively operating in the Indianapolis area or serving the local community and have tangible offerings, such as physical products, giftable packages or services that can be given as gifts like experiences or memberships.
What you’ll need for a nomination
When submitting a nomination, you’ll need to provide the business name, owner name, contact information, a description of what the business offers and what makes it unique, examples or photos of products or services if available, and any relevant website or social media handles. It’s also helpful to include pricing information and details about shipping or local pick-up and delivery options. Both community members and business owners themselves are free to nominate.
How to nominate
To nominate, fill out the form at https://forms.gle/QLgFcKUDbBf1qfp28. Nominations are open now, and the Recorder’s editorial team will review all submissions to curate a list of featured businesses and gift ideas that will appear in the 2025 Holiday Gift Guide, both in print and online.
Why it matters
Last year’s guide, Indianapolis Recorder’s Ultimate Minority-Owned Gift Guide, featured standout products from local businesses and helped readers shop with purpose throughout the season. Being featured gives businesses valuable exposure to new audiences, helps boost sales and supports local entrepreneurship.
If you are a business owner or know someone who deserves to be highlighted, submit a nomination today to be part of this year’s holiday gift guide.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Black WorldSchoolers just might be one of the most in-demand mobile bookstores in the Midwest.
Created by Natalie Pipkin, Black WorldSchoolers is a one-of-a-kind Black bookstore in a bus. Based in Indianapolis, the store celebrates Black life, heritage and joy, while traveling to partner with local schools, businesses and nonprofit organizations to foster a lifelong love of reading among Black youth.
“Every now and then I get someone who thinks they don’t want a book or doesn’t want to read,” Pipkin said. “I talk to them and ask what they like, and I pick the perfect book for them every time. Being able to take time with the youth and get to know them, and be able to curate books that are just for them … It brings me so much joy.”
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Pipkin grew up in Washington Township Schools before attending North Central High School. She was — and still is — an avid reader, but owning a bookstore was never her dream.
Instead, Pipkin got into the book industry in sort of a roundabout way. Seven years ago, her household decided to start homeschooling, and a family blog entitled Black WorldSchoolers would document their journey.
“World schooling is a form of homeschooling where you use the world to learn or world around you to learn, leaning into the classroom type of thing,” Pipkin said. “But for us, Black WorldSchoolers meant a little more than that… It was more about stepping into your own backyard and arriving. … That my kids can have a learning experience anywhere in the world around them, and that the world is theirs, that they’re free to explore it.”
Black WorldSchoolers Mobile Bookstore can be booked for school, businesses, festivals, private events and more. (Photo/Natalie Pipkin)
The Black WorldSchoolers blog and Instagram page helped Pipkin’s family connect and foster an online homeschooling community. Eventually, other parents started reaching out for advice, resources and guidance, leading Pipkin to create a Black WorldSchoolers website where she provided free Black educational resources — including a 24-hour storytime hotline where kids could call in and listen to Black authors reading their stories all around the country.
“I realized from talking to people, when they came home, they didn’t have the books and the resources, because they’re depending on the school,” Pipkin said. “So, the storytime hotline was one way to say, ‘hey, we don’t have the books, but you can call in and listen to the story by the author.’”
Pipkin’s family started doing book drives once they realized Indianapolis has several youth organizations with after school programs and no books. After donating maybe $5 worth of Black-centered books to an organization catering to teens, Pipkin said the reaction was instant.
“They were overwhelmed,” she said. “They were books they hadn’t seen before, and there are books with names that look like their names, and we set up the shelf for them. We put quotes on there, and … they were so excited.”
That’s when a lightbulb went off.
The lack of representation in books provided by school libraries and other bookstores seemed to be a big part of the problem. It’s not that kids don’t like to read, they just didn’t have access to books that catered to them or their interests, Pipkin said.
“When my kids came home and we started home educating, their love for reading skyrocketed because we curated these same stories in our homes that were by Black authors, Black-centered, all genres,” Pipkin said. “When I saw that happen outside my home with these teenagers, I’m like, ‘Okay, there’s something here.’”
Within five months of running the Black WorldSchoolers website, Pipkin launched the online bookstore in November 2020. In December 2020, she bought the bus. By June 2022, Black WorldSchoolers Mobile Bookstore was officially open for business.
Black WorldSchoolers is “a bookstore on wheels with ice cream truck energy,” Pipkin said. It’s one of Indiana’s first bookstores on wheels and Pipkin personally designed it to be colorful, welcoming and safe for kids to explore new books that represented themselves and their stories.
It’s one-of-a-kind, with speakers on the outside and music playing inside too. There are seats for guests, but all the books are front facing so kids know exactly what to look at and for. Pipkin’s own kids are even in the logo.
“It needed to be an experience,” Pipkin said. “It’s unique because we prioritize Black authors, books for all ages. Our model is unique to be sustainable… So, when you see us, someone rented the bus for community impact.”
Being mobile, Black WorldSchoolers is able to travel all over the city, partnering with local schools, businesses, organizations and even catering private events to provide reading materials to Black youth in the community. Pipkin has even travelled for events in neighboring states, including Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio and as far as Virginia.
In Summer 2024, Black WorldSchoolers partnered with The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, a youth development organization, to give books away to the youth during their Summer Academy, said Keli Reese, manager of programs for the 100 Black Men.
Black WorldSchoolers provided books for all 225 students in The 100 Black Men of Indianapolis’ 2024 Summer Academy. (Photo/Keli Reese)
Reese first learned about Pipkin “as a parent” when she began homeschooling her kids ten years ago. However, after a collaboration with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Reese said she was able to connect with Black WorldSchoolers for their Summer Academy.
The Summer Academy aims to curb summer learning loss and encourage academic growth even over the summer. The program centers around literacy, math and social studies, Reese said, and the partnership with Black WorldSchoolers in 2024 was “a natural fit,” Reese said.
The work Black WorldSchoolers did through the partnership was “very intentional,” as 225 of their students went through the bookstore, completed an activity and picked out a book, Reese said.
“We are Pre-K through eighth grade, so they had grade specific, grade appropriate or age-appropriate books,” Reese said. “With each new group, there was this fresh excitement, and our kids were excited to go through to choose their book.”
Although the bookstore came about fairly quickly, Pipkin is more than grateful Black WorldSchoolers turned out better than her expectations.
“Everything I dreamed it could be, it is,” Pipkin said.
Whether the bus has been booked for a private event, a festival or partnering with a school or nonprofit, Pipkin said books are part of the deal.
“Wherever we go, books are left behind,” she added. “Everywhere we go, we’re able to make an impact by having those books as part of the package.”
Black WorldSchoolers mobile bookstore is unique for many reasons, but at its heart, the store and the mission is community built, homegrown and Black woman-owned, Pipkin said.
“It’s not a brick and mortar, right? But I own it,” Pipkin said. “It’s mine, and with all that’s going on in the world with books, no one can tell me what to do with it. You either invite me in or go.”
For more information about Black WorldSchoolers, view the online shop or to book the bus for an event, visit blackworldschoolers.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Whitney Barnett, owner of Cibo Catering and Events. (Photo via Facebook)
Whitney Barnett founded Cibo Catering and Events, a Black-owned, woman-owned catering business based in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Barnett, a professional chef since 2012, turned her love for soul food and Italian cuisine into a full-fledged business. It is in the business’ name, as the word ‘cibo’ is Italian for ‘food.’ The company, as its name implies, caters events of all sizes.
Although Cibo Catering is headquartered in Indianapolis, it is not restricted to one locale. The business also serves Dallas, Texas and Los Angeles, California.
Barnett also owns the Positive Foodie Vibes Brand and is a diligent food access advocate.
For order inquiries, contact Cibo Catering and Events at 317-361-6361 or cibo.creations@gmail.com.
Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham created this minority business highlight. Contact him at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Have you ever wondered what makes some organizations, churches or charities so great at fundraising? The answer is not simple, but it is often connected to their ability to maintain a robust development program.
In the nonprofit world, development typically refers to fundraising and building donor relationships, while in the for-profit world, it might mean business development and strategic partnerships – but in both cases, it’s about driving growth.
Throughout my career, I have worked with local and global organizations on both the nonprofit and for-profit sides, helping them achieve growth through strategic partnerships, capital growth initiatives and multi-million-dollar expansions. What I have learned is that the differences between most nonprofits and for-profits are not as great as people think. Both thrive when they have a strong focus on development and are committed to growing their mission or business.
A development program is more than just the ability for a person to make donation requests or discuss with a company why they should partner with you. When done correctly, development is a skilled art form of meticulously building relationships over time, communicating the organization’s story, products and services, and generating resources that will create opportunities for your organization.
Organizations, whether for-profit or non-profit, must be intentional about creating a culture of growth within all areas of their business. Everyone from the CEO to frontline workers should understand the mission and be able to convey it passionately to potential supporters.
When people within an organization can confidently speak about their individual program and connect it to the larger mission with clarity, enthusiasm and joy, it shows that the organization has successfully tapped into the inner development leader that exists in every team member.
No matter what type of institution you are running (for-profit, nonprofit, religious, etc.), if you made it this far into the reading, you’re probably wondering, “What does a ‘robust development program’ actually look like in practice?”. Regardless of the size of the organization, there must be a relationship builder.
“Meaningful relationships take time to build and produce, so an organization must be equipped to play the long game.”
A strong organization will invest in a development officer who has the sole purpose of connecting with stakeholders across all levels. Meaningful relationships take time to build and produce, so an organization must be equipped to play the long game.
Secondly, an effective development team is a team of strategists and executors. Too often, development teams are stuck in the inescapable cycle of ideation and not implementation. Strategic processes and planning tend to be research-driven and data-reliant, with the aim of still driving cultivation while planning future growth and expansion. This leads me to my third point, data and tools.
There are a variety of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools available that might meet your needs. Finding the best CRM tool for your organization is key to developing long-lasting relationships and tracking the progress of your supporters.
Having a strong data model will accelerate your ability to do research on your market and grow your portfolio or list of constituents. The more information you collect, the more informed your strategies will be and the higher success rates your development team will have.
Lastly, a robust development program should have a clear, concise and repeatable story. What message are you conveying to your broader audience, and why is this message important to them? Getting a donation or business deal is not the end of the relationship; it’s the beginning of a longer journey.
“How you engage with your constituents is how they will engage with you.”
High-performing organizations put strong emphasis on stewardship by thanking supporters, keeping them updated on progress and involving them in the mission over time. How you engage with your constituents is how they will engage with you.
No matter if your constituency consists of 40 tithe-paying members or 100 Fortune 500 companies, you must find what is important to them and what keeps them committed to your work to keep that fire ignited in them.
Thesecret behind those organizations that seem to effortlessly fundraise and expand isn’t luck. It’s the strong development teams and strategies working behind the scenes.
Nonprofit or for-profit, the principle holds: nurture the connections that drive your mission, and your mission will thrive. As a development professional, I’ve seen firsthand that when you commit to these practices, the sky becomes your base.
Rev. Joty T. Allison is a business development, fundraising strategist, and ordained clergy with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations grow through strategic partnerships, capital campaigns, and sustainable development planning. He can be reached at joty.allison@outlook.com.
The Indy Melanated Birthworker Collective (IMBC) is a grassroots organization committed to supporting and empowering Black birth workers in Indianapolis.
Since its founding in 2020, IMBC has created a safe and nurturing space for Black doulas, midwives and other birth professionals to connect, share resources and advocate for equitable maternal care in the community.
IMBC’s programs are designed to address the unique challenges faced by Black birth workers and the families they serve. The organization offers mentorship opportunities, professional development programs and community outreach initiatives, all aimed at fostering a more culturally competent and inclusive birth environment. Through these efforts, IMBC provides tools and guidance that help birth workers succeed professionally while also improving maternal and infant health outcomes in Black communities.
IMBC is a grassroots organization that supports Black birth workers in Indianapolis. (Photo/meetimbc.org)
Beyond professional support, IMBC emphasizes community collaboration and empowerment. Members of the collective work together to raise awareness about disparities in maternal health care and advocate for systemic change. By promoting culturally responsive practices and elevating Black voices in the birth industry, IMBC hopes to ensure that families in Indianapolis have access to care that is safe, respectful and affirming.
The collective’s approach highlights the importance of both professional development and community engagement, recognizing that the health and well-being of mothers and infants are deeply connected to social and cultural support networks.
For those interested in learning more about the Indy Melanated Birthworker Collective or getting involved, information is available on their official website at meetimbc.org.
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.
Comfort Living Residential Shared Home, LLC, is an Indianapolis-based transitional living community dedicated to empowering residents to regain independence.
Founded by Donnell Dillion, Comfort Living isn’t just offering shelter but providing clients with “a place where hope grows and lives are transformed,” according to the website. Comfort Living’s residential homes are “thoughtfully designed” to provide clients a safe, comfortable transitional living space in a welcoming and supportive environment where they can regain stability.
“At Comfort Living Residential Shared Home, LLC, we understand that a home is more than just a place — it’s a foundation for growth, stability and community,” the website states. “We pride ourselves on creating spaces where people not only find shelter but also discover a sense of belonging, comfort and the tools to thrive.”
The organization takes pride in maintaining comfortable shared homes, community support, access to resources — such as employment, education opportunities — guidance and empowerment. Other services include planned community activities, medication reminders, nutritional meals, basic necessities and transportation.
Homes are open to any individual in transitional living situations seeking support and stability. The length of one’s stay can vary based on individual needs and when they feel ready to transition to independent living.
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.
Uvaldo Mondragon is the owner of Amez International Imports LLC, a minority-owned business based in Brownsburg, Indiana.
The company is known for transporting fresh produce such as avocados, bananas, berries, and other fruits and vegetables. Amez International Imports also transports refrigerated products such as meat, seafood and beverages, typically shipped fresh or frozen.
Unlike other similar services, Amez International Imports owns its fleet of trucks, which ultimately helps keep costs down.
In August 2025, Mondragon, alongside his wife Alejandra and her business, La Victoriana Brands, completed the “Coaching for Impact” program created by Chase Bank. The program concentrates on five key areas: the power of capital, cash flow management, building a team of trusted advisors, marketing and cybersecurity.
Mondragon, who has over twenty years of industry experience, emphasized the significance of sharing the knowledge learned in the program. He acknowledged that despite his extensive background, programs like those from Chase Bank better equipped him for success.
“If I didn’t have the experience I have now and I started, I would have failed in six months,” Mondragon told the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. “You have to have the knowledge. [Coaching for Impact] program is very important to learn before you start.”
Learn more about Amez International Imports by contacting them via phone at 773-981-2863.
This business highlight was written by Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham. Contact him at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Facebook and TikTok @HorsemenSportsMedia. If you want your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Take.Two is a justice-involved organization dedicated to helping people become “better than their past.” Led by founder and CEO Kourtnee and COO Victor T. Woods, Take.Two works with individuals with disabilities and criminal backgrounds.
“We believe that helping and being charitable to others who have to deal with re-entry into society will not be difficult but provide avenues that will give them hope for a positive change,” the website states. “We also believe that it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
Services offered through Take.Two include housing, employment and education assistance, appliance rentals, free Pack N Plays and basic business courses. The organization also assists employers with staffing needs.
Take.Two serves health care agencies, warehouses, retail spaces, large nonprofits and corporations with more than 50 employees as well as long-term care facilities and construction companies, according to the website.
Take.Two operates out of 55 S State Street Suite 306. For more information or to book a service, visittaketwoindy.com. To get in contact, call 317-455-3101 or email Take.Two22@yahoo.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.
In today’s fast-changing business world, staying ahead often means solving problems that slow teams down. Optimist Business Solutions, a minority- and woman-owned firm based in Indianapolis, is helping organizations do that through a unique blend of process improvement and artificial intelligence (AI).
Known for addressing issues like costly delays, shrinking revenue and disorganized data, Optimist builds clear, efficient systems designed to boost results. The company has guided clients to measurable improvements, including cutting client intake times by 40% and closing significant data management gaps.
At the core of Optimist’s mission is making AI accessible and practical. Professionals learn to integrate tools such as ChatGPT and workflow automations into their daily routines through workshops, coaching and online programs. These skills help clients save time, improve decision-making and adapt to changing markets.
Optimist’s impact is being recognized. The Better Business Bureau recently accredited the firm, highlighting its commitment to transparency and service excellence. Its diverse client base includes executives, nonprofit leaders and corporate teams, all seeking innovative ways to meet their goals.
The company is also preparing to launch its next Virtual AI Training on Sept. 8, conveniently scheduled over lunch. Designed for participants at any level of AI confidence, the training helps professionals apply technology in simple, human-centered ways.
With a focus on innovation and results, Optimist Business Solutions is proving that the future of work doesn’t have to be overwhelming — it can be empowering.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.If you want your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
The Indy Chamber has appointed Martina Jackson as its new Senior Director of Public Relations and Communications.
Jackson, an Indianapolis native, brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit marketing, social media strategy and visual storytelling. In her role, she will lead the Chamber’s communications and media relations efforts with a focus on shaping how the organization communicates its mission to accelerate economic growth, support local businesses and strengthen the Indianapolis region.
“Martina is an innovative communicator whose work bridges storytelling and strategy in a way that inspires engagement and action,” said Blaine Zimmerman, chief talent and marketing officer of the Indy Chamber. “Her ability to craft narratives that resonate across communities will be an incredible asset as we continue to position Indianapolis as a vibrant regional hub for business, talent, and opportunity.”
Martina Jackson (Photo/Indy Chamber)
Jackson’s career includes founding and leading Drea & Co., a marketing agency focused on mission-driven organizations. She has also held fractional leadership roles with the Black AIDS Institute and BU Wellness Network, where she expanded digital engagement by triple-digit percentages. In addition, Jackson is the founder and CEO of Pixus Inc., the company behind CaptureNoire, an award-winning mobile app recognized nationally for inclusive tech innovation.
Her work has earned recognition from multiple organizations, including Indiana University’s College of Arts and Sciences, which named her to its 20 Under 40 list. She has also been selected as a Creative Fellow with the Indianapolis Arts Council and has won several pitch competitions and innovation grants.
(Photo/Indy Chamber)
Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Philosophy from Indiana University and is fluent in Japanese. Beyond her professional endeavors, she co-founded Create. Connect. Collab and serves as Marketing Chair for Friends of Belmont.
With Jackson joining the Chamber’s marketing and communications team, the organization aims to expand its storytelling, outreach and engagement strategies while highlighting Indianapolis as a destination for business and talent.
