Creative Snackks and Vending, a Black-owned business, is reshaping the vending service landscape by providing tailored snack and beverage options for businesses, schools and community spaces across the region. The company focuses on convenience, offering a range of products that meet its clients’ diverse tastes and dietary needs.
Specializing in traditional vending machines and modern micro-markets, Creative Snackks and Vending ensures that each setup is customized to the preferences of its location. Its machines are stocked with various snacks and drinks, from classic indulgences to healthier choices, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Whether it’s a small office or a large organization, Creative Snackks and Vending offers the flexibility to accommodate different environments and customer demands.
Rob Simmons, founder and CEO of Creative Snackks and Vending. (Photo via/official website)
The company is committed to offering a reliable and hassle-free experience. They ensure that all vending machines are kept fully stocked and well-maintained and address any technical issues promptly to minimize downtime. This dedication to service has earned Creative Snackks and Vending a reputation for being a dependable local partner.
Creative Snackks and Vending also emphasizes personalization in its approach. By working directly with clients, it helps design and install vending solutions that best suit each location’s unique needs.
For businesses, schools or community centers looking to enhance their snack options with reliable, customer-focused service, Creative Snackks and Vending provides the perfect solution.
(Photo/Getty)
Learn more about their services and how they can bring convenience to your space by visiting creativesnackksandvending.net.
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.
Founded in 2019, DanceWorks Indy is an adult dance and fitness studio in the heart of Indianapolis.
DanceWorks Indy’s current owner, Gabby Brock, purchased the studio from founder Kerry Kapaku in July 2024. However, the studio remains committed to its mission of providing affordable dance and fitness classes for adults of all ages and abilities.
Brock, who specializes in PBT (processing ballet technique) ballet, tap and conditioning, currently dances and performs with Ballet Initiative and serves on the Indy Dance Council Marketing Advisory Board.
“The first of its kind in the city, DanceWorks Indy is a studio built around the idea that dance works for everybody and every body,” the website states. “Whether you are looking for a new hobby, returning to an old passion or seeking new ways to cultivate a healthy lifestyle, we have something for you!”
The studio offers a variety of beginner to advanced dance and fitness classes, including ballet, PBT, tap, musical theatre, hip hop, contemporary and modern, jazz, heels, K-pop, 305 fitness, swerk, circuit conditioning and yoga. Private lessons are also offered upon request.
DanceWorks Indy is a drop-in studio, which means participants never have to sign up for an entire month or session of classes. Guests can choose when, how often and which classes they attend and even purchase class packages and memberships through the mobile app.
DanceWorks Indy has a studio at 537 E. Ohio St., Suite 100. For more information or to view a class schedule, visit danceworksindy.com. To get in contact, call 317-602-4986 or email info@danceworksindy.com.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx. If you want your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
The John R. Oishei Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Pamela Ross, MSW as its new Leader of Community Impact. This pivotal role was created as part of the Foundation’s organizational transformation in alignment with its strategic framework and mission to work with communities to change systems and build financial prosperity for a racially just, vibrant Buffalo-Niagara region.
In this role, Ross will guide the Foundation’s efforts to incorporate community perspectives into its initiatives and lead strategies aimed at building financial prosperity by addressing the root causes of racial inequity. She will collaborate closely with community partners to design programs and investments that reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities the Foundation serves, beginning with the East Side.
“Pamela’s leadership reflects exactly where we’re headed as a foundation: firmly centering community voice, racial justice, and systems change,” said Christina Orsi, Oishei Foundation President. “Her deep expertise, humility, and vision will help guide our next chapter.”
Ross brings more than two decades of experience in philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and systems change work. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Community Leadership and Equitable Initiatives at The Indianapolis Foundation, where she led $8M in equitable grantmaking annually and designed nationally recognized strategies centered on racial equity and community empowerment.
Her portfolio has included leading large-scale initiatives such as the Elevation Grant, which invested $45M over three years in Indianapolis neighborhoods for violence reduction, co-developing the Movement of 10,000 platform to promote anti-racist learning, and launching a $3M Neighborhood Empowerment Pathways initiative focused on grassroots infrastructure and resident leadership.
“I know I’m entering this role as someone new to Buffalo, and that’s not something I take lightly,” said Pamela Ross. “Building trust and learning from this community—especially those who’ve been doing this work for a long time—is where I’ll begin. My approach is always to lead with intentionality, courage, and love, and to show up with humility, listening before I act.”
Pamela Ross
“Community impact happens when power is both shifted and shared,” Ross continued. “It’s not about doing work to or for communities, but alongside them. That’s the principle I’ve always led by, and it’s what I’ll carry into this next chapter at Oishei.”
“Pamela brings both the experience and the systems expertise needed to help us move from intention to impact,” said Glenn Jackson, Oishei Foundation Board chair. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the Oishei Foundation.”
This leadership appointment is part of a broader evolution at the Oishei Foundation, one rooted in a mission to create a racially just region where all people have the opportunity to thrive. In 2024, the Foundation announced a two-year transition to reimagine its work in light of its mission, including re-aligning the internal structure, evaluating governance, and evolving support of partners. Ross’s new role underscores the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to transforming how it works in service to the community.
This article was originally published on the John R. Oishei Foundation‘s website.
We Haul LLC is a minority-owned junk removal company based in Indianapolis that combines reliability, affordability and eco-conscious practices to serve homes and businesses.
Founded by Richard Gorham, the family-operated business specializes in furniture, appliance and yard waste removal, as well as property cleanouts and demolition support.
Gorham launched We Haul LLC to fill a gap in sustainable junk removal services while creating jobs in his community.
The team prioritizes donating usable goods to local charities and recycling materials like metal, electronics and mattresses.
The company emphasizes transparency in Indianapolis and surrounding areas with upfront pricing and same-day service.
Clients frequently praise its responsiveness and professionalism in Facebook reviews, with one calling the crew “polite, efficient and careful with my property.”
We Haul LLC has quickly gained traction by focusing on community needs. From clearing storm debris to assisting seniors with downsizing, Gorham said his team takes pride in projects that “make a difference” for residents.
Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its fleet and partnerships with local nonprofits.
For more information or to request service, message We Haul LLC via its Facebook page or call 317-743-4804.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. If you would like your business highlighted bv the Indiana Minority Business Magzine, click here.
INDIANAPOLIS (April 22, 2025) — McCarter & English is pleased to announce that Zachary A. Myers, the former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, has joined the firm’s Indianapolis office as a partner in its Business Litigation group, and as a leader of its multidisciplinary Cybersecurity & Data Privacy team. He will co-lead the team with Erin Prest, who joined the firm last month from the FBI. Myers brings a wealth of experience in high-stakes litigation, cybersecurity, technology issues, and internal investigations, and will focus his practice on counseling and representing clients navigating their most complex and sensitive challenges.
Myers has been a dedicated public servant for fourteen years, serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana from November 2021 through January 2025, and for more than a decade as an Assistant U.S. Attorney both in the District of Maryland and in the Southern District of Indiana. As a federal prosecutor he led investigations, prosecutions, and appeals of a wide range of offenses, with a focus on cyber and technology-facilitated crimes. In his role as U.S. Attorney, he led an office with 55 attorneys and 50 support personnel in four locations in the state. He also served as Chair of the Attorney General Advisory Committee’s Cyber and Intellectual Property Subcommittee for the U.S. Department of Justice.
During his public service career, he worked closely with the DOJ’s National Security Division, Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, and Fraud Section, as well as the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs and foreign law enforcement agencies to obtain evidence overseas, extradite defendants for prosecution in the United States, and facilitate European prosecutions.
Zachary Myers
As an AUSA in Maryland, Myers led the office’s cybercrime investigations and prosecutions, including responding to data breaches, ransomware, and insider threats. He helped create the Office’s National Security & Cybercrime Section and served as the District’s first Cybercrime Counsel. His cutting-edge work included transnational cybercrime investigations and handling national security matters including espionage, offenses involving classified information, digital currency crimes, and computer hacking, working with in-house and outside counsel for technology and cryptocurrency companies to obtain evidence and seize assets. He also worked closely with businesses and government agencies victimized by cybercrimes to mitigate losses and to identify and seek accountability for attackers.
Myers joins McCarter with the intention of building a sophisticated and impactful practice that supports clients across industries, including technology, fintech, traditional finance, healthcare, life sciences, government, and tax-exempt entities. His deep public sector and litigation experience will be a strong complement to McCarter’s nationally recognized cybersecurity, litigation, and regulatory capabilities.
Prior to becoming a lawyer, Myers served on the staff of late Indiana Congresswoman Julia M. Carson, and he will spend time in the firm’s Washington office, helping clients navigate issues related to the federal government, including Congressional inquiries and regulatory matters. In addition to representing clients in litigation and investigations, Myers plans to leverage his extensive experience in cybersecurity, data privacy, cybercrime, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, electronic investigations, digital forensics, encryption, anonymization, the dark web, and e-Discovery to help clients as they navigate the complexities of the modern digital world.
“My passion has always been building—whether it’s building cases, building teams, or building relationships,” said Myers. “I’m excited to join McCarter because of the firm’s building mentality – it has a remarkable history of staying ahead of the curve in a constantly changing legal landscape. I look forward to contributing to the growth of the firm’s Indianapolis office, its broader Midwest presence, and to helping to lead its growing Cybersecurity & Data Privacy team.”
Myers’ arrival is the latest in a series of strategic moves by McCarter to deepen its presence in the Midwest. In January 2024, the firm expanded its office space in Indianapolis to accommodate continued growth. In February, it welcomed commercial litigation, construction, and labor and employment partners Aaron Grant and Christopher Drewry to the office.
Myers grew up in Indiana and is a tried-and-true Hoosier. He received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, his M.A. in Political Management from The George Washington University, and his B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University.
About McCarter & English, LLP
McCarter & English, LLP, delivers innovative solutions to clients nationwide. Fortune 100, midmarket, and emerging growth companies rely on McCarter to handle their cutting-edge transactional, intellectual property, and complex litigation matters. Clients benefit from the firm’s relationship-driven approach, deep understanding of their businesses and their legal needs, lean and efficient service model, and determination to help them move their businesses forward.
Handcrafted Jewelry by Teri C. is a boutique jewelry brand rooted in passion, creativity and personal transformation.
Founded by Indianapolis native Teri Cox, the business began as a childhood fascination with crafting jewelry from found objects like bottle caps and buttons. After years in the corporate world, Teri rediscovered her love for jewelry-making through a local bead class, reigniting a passion that led her to establish her brand in 2008.
Each piece from Handcrafted Jewelry by Teri C. is designed to uplift and inspire. The collection features a variety of handcrafted items, including beaded bracelets, gemstone necklaces and men’s accessories.
(Photo via/Teri C website)
Materials such as precious metals, leather and gemstones are thoughtfully selected to create wearable art that resonates with the soul and complements personal journeys.
Handcrafted Jewelry by Teri C. is more than just a business — it reflects Teri Cox’s journey of self-discovery and artistic expression.
Each design is created to celebrate individuality and personal milestones. Teri’s mission is to craft pieces that enhance an outfit and carry deeper meanings for the wearer, offering a sense of connection and empowerment. From elegant evening wear to casual day-to-day pieces, the jewelry seamlessly blends versatility with sophistication, making it ideal for any occasion.
Teri C.
Customers can explore and purchase these unique pieces through the official website, teriacox.com. The online store offers a seamless shopping experience and secure payment options, including major credit cards, PayPal and digital wallets. New designs are regularly added, encouraging visitors to check for the latest creations often.
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.
In a media landscape often criticized for its lack of diversity, Horsemen Sports Media emerges as a trailblazing force.
Founded in 2025 by award-winning journalist Noral Parham III, this Black, disability-owned Indianapolis enterprise redefines sports coverage by prioritizing stories about athletes and executives of color and creating space for marginalized voices in an industry long overdue for change.
A mission born from experience
Parham’s journey to founding Horsemen Sports Media was shaped by years of navigating predominantly white spaces in sports journalism. A Senior Sports Reporter for the historic Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper — the fourth-oldest surviving Black publication in the United States — he witnessed firsthand the systemic gaps in representation.
“I’ve been in so many spaces where I did not feel welcomed by my media counterparts,” Parham told the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. “Mainstream media often wants to paint people of color a certain way, adhering to a narrative that’s nonexistent. At Horsemen Sports, we’re not about that. We want to celebrate all things Black and ball.”
His resolve to address the underrepresentation of Black journalists and photographers in sports media led to the creation of Horsemen Sports, a platform dedicated to nuanced, authentic storytelling.
The organization covers local and national sports, emphasizing the importance of elevating athletes and executives of color, whom traditional media outlets often overlook.
The organization’s founding members include Parham, sports reporters Clarence Coleman, Duane Bean and Clayton Jones, all men of color.
How Horsemen Sports Media bridges journalism & advocacy
The official logo of Horsemen Sports Media, a Black-owned media outlet operating out of Indianapolis, Indiana since officially since 2025. (Photo provided/HSM)
Parham’s career reflects a dual commitment to journalism and community empowerment. Before launching Horsemen Sports, he served as a community advocate for Indianapolis’ MLK Center, located at 40 w. 40th Street, where he honed his ability to amplify marginalized voices.
Later, as Senior Copywriter for Denver-based marketing firm Stickyleaf, he produced over 600 articles for approximately 35 clients, mastering the art of strategic content creation.
“I have done a lot of great things and it is time to do more,” Parham said.
Since its inception, Horsemen Sports has made waves with its coverage of marquee events, including Indiana Pacers and Fever coverage, NCAA March Madness tournaments, the Big Ten Basketball Tournament, the National Invitational Tournament and the 2025 WNBA Draft.
The outlet’s national reach is expanding, but its roots remain firmly planted in Indianapolis’ vibrant, perpetually growing sports scene.
“Indiana is basketball country,” Parham told the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. “Indy will always have that priority at Horsemen Sports.”
The event, which will spotlight the league’s rising stars, aligns perfectly with Horsemen Sports’ mission to highlight athletes and executives often designated as minorities.
Building a legacy of trust at Horsemen Sports Media
For Parham, Horsemen Sports is more than a media outlet; it’s a movement.
“We want to create a safe space for minorities in sports, a platform they trust not to paint them in a superficial light — all for the sake of clicks and engagement,” Parham said. “We are better than that.”
This ethos resonates in the outlet’s reporting, which avoids sensationalism in favor of depth and context.
Whether profiling a Fever rookie’s journey or dissecting systemic inequities in college athletics, Horsemen Sports prioritizes substance over stereotypes.
Looking ahead
As the company finalizes its official website, Parham’s long-term vision is clear: establish Horsemen Sports as a national leader in inclusive sports journalism while fostering opportunities for emerging Black journalists and photographers.
“The Recorder gave me a chance in sports journalism and I ran with it,” Parham said. “That is what I want to do for others. The disparity in this industry isn’t just about who’s in the room — it’s about who gets to tell the story, We’re here to ensure our narratives are told by us, for us.”
Connect with Horsemen Sports Media
While the website launches soon, fans can follow Horsemen Sports Media on Facebook and TikTok for breaking news, interviews and behind-the-scenes content.
Click here for more news from the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. To have your business featured, visit the directory here.
First Phase Strategies, an Indy-based relocation service, is dedicated to putting the needs of residents first.
Danielle Smith, owner and CEO, created First Phase Strategies in 2021 to help remove barriers to preserving affordable housing and bridge the gap between residents and development teams during construction.
The women-owned consultancy facilitates Uniform Relocation Assistance-compliant (URA) relocations for the multifamily industry, which ensures fair treatment for families displaced by federally funded or assisted projects.
Their team of project managers are trained in URA, Fair Housing Act and customer service best practices to provide residents with compliant, cost-effective and compassionate service, according to the website.
“First Phase Strategies understands the intricacies of mixed-finance real estate transactions,” the website states. “They work with developers, property management and construction and can effectively communicate with everyone on the team. Bringing adaptability, creative problem-solving, and sharp logistical thinking, they never forget their role as advocates for residents.”
First Phase Strategies offers relocation planning, resident survey and advisory services, offsite housing identification, offsite housing management, logistical planning and execution and on-site assistance.
First Phase Strategies is certified in Indianapolis and the State of Indiana. Their offices are at 1824 Yandes St. For more information, visit firstphasestrategies.com. To get in contact, email info@firstphasestrategies.com or call 317-559-2883.
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.
Deana Karim, founder of Good Dee’s, transformed her Lebanese American heritage and personal health journey into a thriving keto and allergen-free baking empire.
As a certified Arab-owned business leader and member of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) Business Board, Karim’s story reflects resilience, cultural pride and a mission to make indulgence accessible to all.
Karim’s entrepreneurial spirit was forged in her parents’ immigrant journey. Fleeing Lebanon’s civil war in the 1970s, her father built a renowned Austin tailor shop serving U.S. presidents, while her mother — a diabetes patient — pioneered sugar-free recipes.
“They taught me there’s always a solution,” Karim said.
This mindset propelled her through health struggles, including a prediabetes diagnosis that inspired her to reimagine “guilt-free” treats.
2015 Karim invested $5,000 to launch Good Dee’s, named after her nickname “Dee.” Juggling motherhood and a startup, she packaged orders in her New York apartment, often breastfeeding while printing shipping labels.
Her breakthrough came weeks after giving birth to her second son, when her brownie mix soared to No. 1 on Amazon.
Karim’s Lebanese roots infuse her creations, from rosewater-infused cake mixes inspired by traditional desserts to honoring her late mother’s “measure-free” cooking style.
“Middle Eastern customers told me, ‘We never thought we’d taste this again without sugar,'” Karim told the Indiana Minority Business Magazine.
When her mother died, Karim’s community — built through pop-ups and social media — rallied with support.
“That connection keeps her spirit alive,” she reflected.
Karim’s ambition extends to making Good Dee’s a household name for families managing dietary restrictions. Her Fourteen Homes line offers intuitive kitchen tools, like a bestselling donut pan, designed to simplify cooking.
“Food shouldn’t be excluded,” she emphasized. “My mixes let everyone join the table.”
Channeling her parents’ fearless spirit, Karim urges others to “Don’t overthink, just act. Start small, stay focused, and let your community lift you.” As for her mother’s legacy, “I hope she’s smiling,” Karim said softly. “Everything I do carries her love — and her rosewater recipes.”
Good Dee’s products are available at gooddees.com and major retailers.
Contact Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. If you want your business highlighted in the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Domestic Violence Prevention Network taps Mariann McGee Bernlohr as Interim Director
By NORAL PARHAM
noralp@indyrecorder.com
The Domestic Violence Prevention Network (DVPN) appointed Mariann McGee Bernlohr as interim director, effective April 21.
Bernlohr brings nearly 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience to the role. She is the founder of Iris Consulting, specializing in organizational strategy and executive transitions.
Her background includes senior roles at Horizons National, where she supported more than 70 affiliate organizations, and leadership positions with Horizons at St. Richard’s Episcopal School, Indiana’s Governor’s Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives and the YMCA.
DVPN board chair Kristen Moreland believes Bernlohr is a great fit.
“Mariann’s experience and collaborative approach make her the right leader for this moment,” Moreland said in a statement.
Active in the Indianapolis community, Bernlohr serves on the board of Indy Reads and is a founding board member of St. Nicholas Early Learning.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University and a master’s in teaching from Hamline University.
“I’m honored to support DVPN’s critical mission and will prioritize listening to staff, survivors and partners,” Bernlohr said.
The organization’s board continues its search for a permanent executive director, with plans to fill the position later this year.
DVPN works to prevent domestic violence through education, advocacy and direct support for survivors across Indiana.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news courtesy of the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
