OUR PROUD HISTORY

Rev. Charles Williams was the President of Indiana Black Expo, Inc. (IBE) from 1983 to 2004. He was responsible for the restructuring of IBE, including the total reduction of a $106,000 deficit, the gross revenues of the organization doubling, organizing and securing funding for full-time staff, development of year-round programs that promote harmony among people of all races, and instrumental in the IBE Summer Celebration being named one of the “Top 100 Events in North America” by the American Business Association. 

As a man who was committed to serving his community, Rev. Williams received many awards, most notable being: the Indiana Jefferson Award, Indianapolis Education Association’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, the state of Indiana’s most prestigious award, The Sagamore of the Wabash, Outstanding Past and Future Leadership Award presented by Senator Dan Quayle, Outstanding Citizen Award presented by the NAACP’s Life Membership Committee, Meritorious Service Award, Boys Club Association of Indianapolis, Wheeler Boys Club, Toastmaster International Award, Distinguished Service Award presented by the National Newspaper Publishers Association, Presidential Citation presented by the National Business League, Good Scout Award presented by Jack “The Rapper” and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letter by Martin University in 1997. The culmination came in 2001 when he received a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Martin University.

Rev. Charles Williams was a vital asset to the state of Indiana and African Americans nationwide. Until his death in July 2004, he served as an effective voice and leader in the fight for social and economic advancement of African Americans.