In the competitive world of pageantry, Crowns and Kisses Pageant Consulting shines as a trusted ally for aspiring queens.
Led by Ivy Stubbs, the Carmel-based firm provides tailored coaching for Teen, Miss, Ms. and Mrs. contestants, focusing on culture, wardrobe, interviews, runway techniques and philanthropy. With over 20 years of experience as a titleholder, judge, producer and director, Stubbs has helped countless women achieve their pageantry dreams through style, confidence and expert guidance.
Customers can begin their pageantry journey by booking a complimentary consultation. From there, contestants can choose from three packages to hone their skills.
The lowest tier is $500 and includes five virtual sessions, headshots, paperwork, interview preparation, wardrobe selection and branding.
The second tier is $800 and includes ten virtual sessions, all items from the lower package, introduction rehearsals, paperwork suggestions, platform development and a runway routine.
The highest tier package is $1000 and includes 12 virtual sessions, headshot selection, introduction construction, platform creation, paperwork edits, interview preparation, personal styling, social media content and branding, runway class 101 and routine and a coach journal.
All packages include a Crowns and Kisses shirt and access to premier sponsors.
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.
Founded by Stanley Lebron in 2022, Glorious Cleaning is a fully insured and bonded house cleaning service, staffed with professionally trained cleaners, ready to take on new clients and build a lasting relationship beyond a one-time service.
The local, minority-owned home cleaning business specializes in apartment, house, condo or townhome cleaning, deep cleaning, move in and move out cleaning. Their dedicated team services Indianapolis, Carmel, Westfield, Zionsville, Fishers and Noblesville, Indiana.
Stanley Lebron founded Glorious Cleaning in 2022. (Photo/Glorious Cleaning via Facebook)
The staff at Glorious Cleaning believe “a clean space improves your mood and overall sense of wellbeing,” according to the website, and aim to elevate one’s living space with reliable, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly cleans.
Glorious Cleaning uses environmentally friendly, green, non-toxic cleaning products that are safe for people, pets and plants. Professional cleaners also work in teams and use color-coded microfiber towels to prevent any cross-contamination in a residence, which are then commercially laundered each day.
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.
From Fred Payne to Andrea Neely to Dr. Lorenzo Esters, the 2025 Champions of Diversity awards gala honored Indianapolis’ leaders and equity advocates ahead of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The 18th annual awards gala, hosted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, Recorder Media Group and Minority Business Review, took place Jan. 17 at the JW Marriott in Downtown Indianapolis. Esteemed guests across all sectors of Indianapolis filled the ballroom for an evening filled with fellowship and laughter while celebrating the history and legacy of those making a difference in our communities.
“Our publications are intentional about ensuring the accomplishments of people of color are not only highlighted but brought to the forefront in a way that is fair, accurate and representative,” Camike Jones, editor-in-chief of the Indianapolis Recorder said during the ceremony. “Now more than ever, efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are needed. We are proud of our efforts, as well as the efforts of so many others who stand with us in the spirit of unity.”
Hosted by Olivia West and Matthew Fultz, the Champions of Diversity continues to grow nationally through the Minority Business Review and across the state with Indiana Minority Business Magazine. The gala saw 1,100 attendees and 25 awardees this year.
Robert Shegog, president and CEO of Recorder Media Group and a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 199. (Photo/Natural Born Leaders Visuals)
“As president and CEO of the Recorder Media Group, I am deeply honored by the incredible success of our 18th annual Champions of Diversity Awards,” Robert Shegog said. “This event has become a cornerstone of our mission to celebrate and uplift the individuals and organizations working tirelessly to make our communities stronger, more inclusive and full of opportunity.”
Reginald and Tracey Jones, owner operators of several Indianapolis-based McDonald’s franchises and founders of McMiracle on 38th Street, received the William G. Mays Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award.
Dennis E. Bland, president of the Center for Leadership and Development, received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award.
Shannon Williams, chief operating officer and executive vice president of The Mind Trust, received the Rosa Parks Trailblazer Award.
“It’s humbling, but it’s also a call to action of sorts, to ensure that everything I do, I continue to just act with courage and put into motion themes, and that will really impact people of color, not just today, but for generations to come,” Williams told the Recorder. “I think this year’s class of award recipients are just phenomenal, and so to be included in that number is incredibly humbling, and I am immensely grateful for it.”
Andrea L. Neely, president and chief executive officer of the Simon Youth Foundation, Inc., received the Lifetime Education Achievement Award.
The Amos Brown Community Advocate Award, which was presented by members of the late Amos Brown’s family, was given to Marshawn Wolley, president and CEO of Black Onyx Management.
Deana Haworth, chief executive officer of Hirons, a newly certified Women’s Business Enterprise, received the President’s Choice Award.
“Seeing so many people from diverse backgrounds come together on Friday night is a testament to the power of unity and the shared commitment to building a brighter future for Indiana,” Shegog added. “It fills me with pride to know that the Recorder continues to serve as a platform for recognizing these extraordinary efforts, and I look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come.”
Robert Shegog, president and CEO of Recorder Media Group and U.S. Rep. Andre Carson at the 2025 Champions of Diversity awards gala on Jan. 17, 2025 at the JW Marriott in Downtown Indianapolis. (Photo/Natural Born Leaders Visuals)
2025 Champions of Diversity
Fred Payne, president and CEO of United Way of Central Indiana, received the Community Impact Award.
Tamira Chapman, CEO of Storehouse in a Box, LLC, received the Social Innovation Mastermind Award.
Dr. Lorenzo L. Esters, president of the Indianapolis Foundation, received the Visionary Leader Award.
Sharon Barner, vice president & chief administrative officers of Cummins, received the Sapphire Diversity Maverick Award.
Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh, founder and owner of KP Singh Designs (A Partnership), received the Civic Empowerment Award.
Clarissa Nowlin, chief financial officer & controller of Professional Management Enterprises, Inc., received the Master of Finance Award.
Daryle L. Johnson, vice president of Strategy, Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, received the Distinguished Business Achiever Award.
Melina Kennedy, chief executive officer, and Latoya Alexander Botteron, president and chief financial officer of Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP), received the Bridge to Impact Award.
Darryl Lockett, health equity director of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Indiana, received the Rising Star of Excellence Award.
Dennis Trinkle, senior vice president of talent, strategy and partnerships at TechPoint, received the Innovation in Tech Leadership Award.
Tamara Cypress, associate director of communications & creative design for Carrier Corporation, received the Changemaker Award.
Travis Brown, founder and CEO of Mojo Up Marketing + Media, received the Breaking Barriers Award.
Patrina Williams, CEO of Cherishing Lives Personal Care Services, received the Golden Heart Award.
Leon Williamson, market president of iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group and iHeartMedia Indianapolis, received the Stewardship Young Leader Award.
Steven Meyer, chief executive officer, and Stephanie Quick, president of Intend Indiana, received the Beacon of Hope Award.
Zachary Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, U.S. Department of Justice, received the Social Justice & Equity Award.
Katie Lucas, president of Lucas Oil, received the Exemplary Service Award.
Seth Morales, chief executive officer of Morales Group, Inc., received the Emerald Leadership Award.
Tracy Ellis-Ward, senior vice president for diversity, equity & inclusion for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, received the DEI Trailblazer Award.
The 2025 Champions of Diversity was sponsored by Diversity Press, Bank of America, Lucas Oil, Eskenazi Health, The Indianapolis Foundation, Carrier and The Mind Trust.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
G&B Natural Skincare, established in 2019 by Gavin and Bryanne Muhammad, is a minority-owned health and wellness business based in Indianapolis.
The company offers a range of organic skincare products designed for women, men and infants. The business addresses skin concerns such as acne, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, dark spots and blemishes.
Some popular products include the Glow Cleansing Bar, formulated with honey and turmeric, helping relieve dark spots and eczema and prevent acne. Like most products offered by G&B Natural Skincare, the Glow Cleansing Bar promotes clear, glowing skin.
Founders of G&B Natural Skincare Gavin and Bryanne Muhammad. (Photo via official website)
Another notable product is the Exfoliating Turmeric Scrub, designed to restore the skin’s natural glimmer and balance skin tones by terminating dead skin cells.
For those seeking to manage dark marks, the Nighttime Dark Spot Corrector combines aloe vera, vitamin E and organic turmeric to alleviate dark marks, minimize acne breakouts and delay signs of aging.
G&B Natural Skincare expands its reach beyond Indianapolis, selling products worldwide. The company commits itself to positively impacting the community by providing natural skincare solutions that promote healthy, radiant skin.
G&B Natural Skincare is located at 4015 Devon Drive in Indianapolis. For more information or to explore their products, visit their official website, gandbnaturalskincare.com.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral. If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
President of Lucas Oil Products Katie Lucas received the Exemplary Service Award at the 2025 Champions of Diversity Awards on Jan. 17.
The award acknowledges her leadership in promoting equity within Lucas Oil and her ongoing support of charitable organizations that serve diverse communities.
Lucas shared sentiments regarding the nomination last November.
“I was extremely humbled,” Lucas told the Indianapolis Recorder. “There are a lot of people doing amazing things in our communities to promote diversity. To be included in this group (of awardees) is truly special.”
The Champions of Diversity Awards, now in its 18th year, celebrate individuals and organizations committed to advancing equity and community impact.
This year’s event honored 25 leaders and organizations for their dedication to these principles.
President of Lucas Oil Products Katie Lucas and President of Recorder Media Group Robert Shegog during the 2025 Champions of Diversity Awards on Jan. 17 at the JW Mariott in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo provided/Lucas Oil Products via Recorder Media Group)
Lucas expressed her gratitude for the recognition.
“It is an incredible honor to receive the Exemplary Service Award, which reflects the hard work our organization has done to advance equity within the community through our support of many wonderful initiatives,” Lucas said. “Our commitment to improving lives and driving meaningful change is fundamental to who we are as a company. We look forward to continuing this important work alongside our partners.”
Moreover, Lucas oversees the company’s philanthropic and community engagement initiatives.
Her leadership extends to her roles as Board Chair of the Ascension St. Vincent Foundation and board memberships with the Indianapolis Zoo, EDGE Mentoring and the Grit & Grace Nation Foundation. She also serves on the National Leadership Council at the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, Indiana University Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council and is a Founding Member and Inaugural Chair of Called to Care, a Circle of Impact for Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital.
Lucas Oil actively supports organizations that promote community well-being, including Wheeler Mission, Indiana’s largest and most diverse ministry serving individuals experiencing homelessness. The company contributes to events such as the annual Drumstick Dash and Jane Seymour’s Foundation Gala, both of which raise funds for Wheeler Mission’s shelter, meals and care services for men, women and children from all backgrounds.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral. For more news, visit the Indiana Minority Business Magazine homepage.
Andrea Brown is on a mission to revolutionize feminine health care, using her own journey to create a line of all-natural products designed to offer effective, gentle solutions for women’s most personal hygiene needs.
The products from Be Bella Company range from body butters to facial oils to cleansers. (Photos/Be Bella Company website)
Founded in 2016, Be Bella Company blends passion with purpose, offering a range of handcrafted products, including foam washes, body scrubs and oils. With a focus on all-natural ingredients, each item is made in small batches to ensure quality and freshness.
Brown, along with her team, personally tests every product, ensuring they meet the high standards set for both effectiveness and care.
Be Bella Company offers a wide array of skin products, including:
Body butter scoops
Mini gentle cleansers
Whipped soaps
Body oils
Foaming cleansers
Deodorizing foam
Facial cleansers
Body soap bars
Serums
Beard oils
Body scrubs
Healing salves
Body creams
Linen mists
The Be Bella Company products all feature signature scents and formulas designed for sensitive skin and nourishment. Scents like turmeric and honey, patchouli, lemon drop and more make up an extensive online marketplace for customers to browse.
The storefront for Be Bella Company is open 2-6 p.m. Friday through Sunday. (Photo/Be Bella Company website)
To shop, visit the Be Bella Company store at 6356 Guildford Ave. The store is open Friday through Sunday from 2-6 p.m. To shop online, visit bebellacompany.com.
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.If you would like your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
Pacers Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) announced plans for a $78 million Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center to set a new standard for women’s professional sports facilities on Jan. 16.
Owner of PS&E Herb Simon shared a few sentiments about vision the project.
“We are excited to partner with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett to identify the perfect location for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center,” Simon said. “The city of Indianapolis continues to be a tremendous partner as we elevate our team, players, and community.”
The three-story, 108,000-square-foot facility in downtown Indianapolis connects to the Virginia Avenue Parking Garage and Gainbridge Fieldhouse via a skybridge.
The performance center is designed with female athletes in mind, addressing critical aspects of training, recovery and overall wellness.
Key features include two regulation-sized courts with ample natural light, strength and conditioning equipment, a yoga and Pilates area and a full-service kitchen. Recovery amenities include infrared light therapy, hydrotherapy pools, a sauna, steam rooms, heat studios and a state-of-the-art sensory deprivation tanks.
Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center main court. (Photo provided/PS&E)
At the same time, mental health and wellness spaces will cater to players’ psychological needs. To enhance the lifestyle experience, the complex features a hair and nail salon, childcare services and a podcast and content production studio.
PS&E CEO Mel Raines believes women’s sports are on the rise, and Indy is smack dab in the middle of the action.
“With the goal of Indianapolis becoming the epicenter of women’s sports, this world-class sports performance center will be the preeminent place for players to train, recover, and push their boundaries,” Raines said. “It’s a game changer in terms of providing the ultimate player experience, and we can’t wait for our team to reap the benefits of having an exclusive and unparalleled facility designed specifically for them.”
In addition to serving as a training hub, the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center expands community engagement opportunities. Fans look forward to exclusive experiences and a team store featuring unique merchandise.
The Fever’s training facilities within Gainbridge Fieldhouse are among the top in the WNBA.
Indiana Fever President of Basketball and Business Operations Kelly Krauskopf emphasized how a stand-alone complex will further elevate the player and fan experience.
“This elite training center reflects our organization’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that our players have the highest level of resources to be successful,” Krauskopf said. “As we look to the future, the focus of creating a first-class player experience designed exclusively for women athletes will set us apart.”
The performance center will be located on the west half of the former Marion County Jail site, near Alabama and Maryland streets.
The city of Indianapolis plans to transfer the land to the Capitol Improvement Board (CIB) of Marion County, which will enter into an operating agreement with a PS&E affiliate.
The Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center will eventually be donated to the CIB after the agreement.
A render of the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center. (Photo provided/PS&E)
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett expressed enthusiasm about the project, noting its importance in advancing women’s sports locally and globally.
“Last year, we experienced an unprecedented boom in interest and attention on women’s sports around the world, led in large part by our very own Indiana Fever,” Hogsett said. “Indianapolis is proud to see this significant investment from Pacers Sports & Entertainment drive further momentum in women’s basketball in our community and continue to elevate our status as a major league sports city.”
Construction will be led by Shiel Sexton, with architectural design by Populous.
Senior principal at Populous Adam Stover highlighted the project’s significance.
“Our team at Populous is honored to collaborate with the Indiana Fever and Pacers Sports & Entertainment to develop a cutting-edge, best-in-class training facility for one of the premier teams in the WNBA,” Stover said. “Understanding and designing for the players, coaches and staff, this facility will help lay the foundation for the team’s future success, attracting new talent to the organization and providing world-class amenities for the current roster.”
The groundbreaking for the Indiana Fever Sports Performance Center is slated for August. The complex is expected to open just in time for the tip-off of the 2027 WNBA season.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846 or via email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral.For more news, click here.
City Business Integrated Solutions (CBIS), established in 2022 by Steve Anderson, is a minority-owned enterprise based in Indianapolis.
The company positioned itself as a versatile service provider, offering a comprehensive suite of services across environmental maintenance, waste removal, hauling and commercial and residential clean-up.
Founder and Owner of CBIS Steve Anderson.. (Photo provided/CBIS)
Reflecting on the company’s inception, Anderson remarked, “You would be surprised how a $115 business registration fee can change your life,” highlighting the transformative impact of formalizing his venture. Drawing from his experience at Interstate Business Solutions, he sought to eliminate intermediaries and directly serve clients.
“I started my own business because as a minority, I wanted to cut out the middleman,” Anderson said.
CBIS’ extensive service portfolio includes janitorial services, dumpster rentals, power pressure washing, sanitary solutions, waste removal and specialized subcontracting in landscaping, trenching/excavation and painting.
This diverse range underscores Anderson’s belief that “you don’t have to do construction to be in construction.”
The company’s commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through its certifications, including Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) statuses. These credentials enable CBIS to operate within Indiana and on a federal level, extending its services to neighboring states such as Kentucky and Ohio.
CBIS’s mission is encapsulated in its motto: “If your environment is not your liking, change it!”
This philosophy drives the company’s dedication to enhancing community spaces and ensuring client satisfaction. Operating from its Indianapolis headquarters at 5131 E 21st St, CBIS is strategically positioned to serve a broad clientele. The company prides itself on being a “one-stop-shop” for business needs, striving to deliver fast, reliable, high-quality services.
In a competitive market, CBIS distinguishes itself through its comprehensive service offerings and unwavering commitment to quality.
As a minority-owned business, it is pivotal in promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry. With a foundation built on experience, certifications, and a client-centric approach, CBIS is poised for sustained growth and continued success in the years to come.
“You would be surprised how far $115 to register your business goes,” Anderson said.
The CBIS founder said expansion is on the horizon, getting into other fields of construction such as abatement, asbestos removal and concrete work. Anderson said that expanding what his business does will allow him to build upon his team.
“Ultimately, I want to open doors for others,” Anderson told the Indiana Minority Business Magazine. “There are not a lot of minority-owned construction companies that are in the spaces I am in. I want to continue to build on that with people who want to work as hard as I do.”
City Business Intergrated Solutions is located at 5131 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, IN., 46218.
Readers can learn more about City Business Integrated Solutions here or by calling 317-473-1377.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. If you would your business highlighted by the Indiana Minority Business Magazine, click here.
In the heart of Indianapolis, Yellow Hat Consulting stands out — not just for its bright name but for its creative approach to helping businesses thrive.
Yellow Hat Consulting partners with small to mid-sized businesses, offering expertise in leadership, team development and operations. Whether guiding organizations through change or helping teams collaborate more effectively, the consulting company takes a fresh, tailored approach to unlocking potential.
Founded by Kimberly Ransom, Yellow Hat Consulting focuses on being “future prepared” and always thinking ahead. For Ransom, an education consultant with over 20 years of experience is key.
Yellow Hat Consulting teaches businesses, educators and consultants how to be forward-thinking and ensure the success of their business. (Photo via/Yellow Hat Consulting website)
Ransom has created several learning resources, learning solutions and e-learning courses to guide professionals, educators and consultants to meet today’s needs. Through her team of subject-matter experts, Ransom guides practices that span across education levels, industries, technology and human performance.
Educators can use the company’s resources to receive education and coaching of digital transformation, data-driven culture and ways to ensure school success. Patrons can find on-demand training modules, virtual coaching, access to e-learning tools and guided support for creating professional learning communities.
The company also offers professional training for businesses and consultants through on-demand training modules and virtual coaching.
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.
B&D Holland is a family-owned, minority business specializing in pest control in the Indianapolis metropolitan and surrounding area.
Owned and operated by Bonnie and Darrell Holland, B&D Holland Pest Control has 15 years of experience and uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an effective and environmentally sensitive form of pest control relying on a combination of common-sense practices.
Professional pest management services include small crawling and flying insects to vermin, rodents and larger animals of residential homes, commercial buildings, property management companies, restaurants, schools and apartment buildings. Dead or alive, B&D Holland Pest Control will never leave a job unfinished, according to the website.
For more information, visit bdholland.net. To schedule a free consultation, call or text 317-353-4615 or 317-775-0422 or email darrell5dar@yahoo.
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.
