This year, the theme for Summer Celebration is Our Legacy, Our Influence, Our Future. With this theme, the Pacers Sports and Entertainment Corporate Luncheon presented by Indiana University will honor those individuals that have made significant contributions to the Black community as well as those that continue to tell the story about who we are and pave the way for our communities.
Our Legacy. Our Influence. Our Future.
Summer Celebration Corporate Luncheon
Friday, July 14, 2023, at 11:00 AM
Our 2023 Award Recipients
Linsey Davis
Excellence in Media Award
Linsey Davis is currently an anchor for ABC News Live Prime, which is ABC News Live’s first-ever streaming evening newscast, and weekend “World News Tonight” on Sundays. She is a correspondent filing reports for “World News Tonight,” “Good Morning America,” “20/20,” and “Nightline.”
In June 2020, as the racial divide in America and the protests against police brutality were growing, Davis led the first roundtable discussion with Black female mayors of Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Tacoma, Washington. Davis also anchored the documentary “Homegrown Hate: The War Among Us,” which shed a spotlight on the issue of domestic terrorism and hate-inspired violence in the United States.
Davis has covered news stories around the globe, including the Las Vegas massacre, Harvey Weinstein allegations, and subsequent MeToo Movement, the Boston Marathon bombing, the Nairobi Mall massacre, and several of President Obama’s trips overseas. Her coverage ranges from the 2016 presidential election to social injustice and various natural disasters, including the earthquake in Haiti and multiple hurricanes.
George Hill
Excellence in Sports Award
Indianapolis native George Hill is in his 15th season in the NBA, and the best of them came for his hometown franchise as he played with the Pacers for five seasons, made the playoffs in four of them, and reached the Eastern Conference finals twice. As a former Broad Ripple High School and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)star, George is one of the best ambassadors to the city of Indianapolis that the Pacers have ever had.
While playing at IUPUI, he received the Summit League Player of the Year and was an honorable mention All-American. George was selected 26th in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2008 NBA draft. He has played for five NBA teams, including the Spurs, Pacers, Jazz, Kings, Cavaliers, Bucks, Thunder, and 76ers.
In 2020, George Hill was one of five NBA players awarded the NBA Cares Community Assist Award; the award recognizes players for their efforts to impact their communities positively. Hill was recognized for his efforts, along with his Bucks teammates, to encourage members of the NBA family to leverage their collective platforms to advance social justice.
The George Hill, Rising Stars Foundation was created in 2008. The mission of the foundation is to effectively uplift local Indianapolis youth, heal families, and community relations by impacting lives through tangible experiences through cutting-edge events, programs, training, promoting awareness of social perils, and supporting causes.
Richard Roundtree
Living Legend Award
Richard Roundtree is best known for his portrayal of the iconic detective John Shaft in the Shaft film series.
Roundtree began his acting career in the late 1960s with small roles in television shows like “The Mod Squad” and “Columbo” before landing the role that would change his life. In 1971, he was cast as John Shaft in the film “Shaft,” which became a huge success and spawned two sequels, “Shaft’s Big Score!” and “Shaft in Africa.”
Roundtree’s portrayal of the cool, confident, and tough detective made him an instant star and an icon of the Blaxploitation genre. He went on to star in a number of films throughout the 1970s, including “Earthquake,” “Escape to Athena,” and “Game for Vultures.”
Roundtree’s legacy as an actor and cultural icon has been recognized with numerous awards, including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His impact on popular culture and his contributions to the film industry have made him a beloved and enduring figure in American entertainment. He is also a spokesperson for the International Myeloma Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that Roundtree was diagnosed with in 1993.
Jim Irsay
Reverend Charles Williams Award
Indianapolis Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay this year embarks on his 51st season with the organization. His affiliation with the Colts dates back to 1972 when his father, Robert Irsay, acquired the team. His passion for winning and emphasis on sustained success has molded Indianapolis into one of the most successful and historic franchises in the NFL. In addition to his commitment to winning, Irsay and his family are recognized as leaders in the community, spearheading multiple philanthropic endeavors throughout Indiana.
A hallmark of Irsay’s stewardship was the 2006 season, when the Colts won Super Bowl XLI with a 29-17 victory over Chicago. Following its triumphant return to Indianapolis, the team was welcomed by a raucous crowd lining downtown streets in below-freezing temperatures and filling the old RCA Dome. Irsay responded by sending the Lombardi Trophy on a 50-stop, 3,130-mile tour throughout Indiana, giving fans an opportunity to see, touch and take pictures with the iconic trophy. That fall, he also created a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for fans to compete for one of five authentic Super Bowl rings. The effort raised more than $225,000 for charity and entertained thousands who witnessed 10 finalists take their chance to pick one-of-five treasure chests that contained a ring inscribed with “Colts Fan.”
In reflecting on the organization, Irsay says, “One of the reasons I’m honored to be a steward of the Horseshoe is that we’re able to use the enormous platform of pro football to bring joy into people’s lives. Whether it’s on the field on gamedays, serving our friends and neighbors off the field, or other times throughout the year, our goal is to entertain, inspire and unite this community and Colts fans everywhere by not just winning but by winning the right way.”
Order your table for our Corporate Luncheon
Purchase your table today. The proceeds from the Corporate Luncheon benefit IBE’s youth and family programs.
This year’s luncheon will take place on Friday, July 14, 2023, at 11:00 AM inside the Indiana Convention Center. The cost for a table of 10 is $700.
On behalf of our organization, thank you in advance for supporting IBE’s year-round youth and family programs by joining us in celebration of Black culture at our luncheon. Please click the button below to purchase your table.
If you are interested in additional sponsorship information or details on being an exhibitor inside the exhibition hall during Summer Celebration, please get in touch with Katrina Owens, VP of Administration at 317-925-2702.
Title Sponsor
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