IPA History

The Indianapolis Professional Association (IPA) was founded in October 1984 by six attorneys and one judge who were members of the Marion County Bar Association. IPA was created to network and join forces with other professionals, businesses, groups, and organizations to make a greater impact on matters affecting the minority community.

On February 18, 1985, IPA was incorporated by the State of Indiana as a nonprofit organization.

Notable Dates in IPA History

  • IPA sponsored its first Business Card Exchange. For several years, IPA independently or jointly sponsored these events in both the fall and spring. They served as IPA’s major fundraisers and business expos. The Business Card Exchanges ended in 2000 and were replaced by IPA’s Fall Networking and Fundraising Event, followed by the Organizational Networking Luncheon in 2004.

  • IPA presented its first Achievement Awards Breakfast for ten National Merit Finalists after Bernard Huff proposed the program to the IPA Board for adoption and later for submission to the Internal Revenue Service to assist IPA in obtaining 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.

  • IPA presented its first Youth Empowerment Breakfast in partnership with Career Beginnings at Clowes Hall on the Butler University campus, with approximately 250 people in attendance. IPA Board Members Charles Barker and Lynn Roper created the program, which was later adopted by the IPA Board as a standing event.

  • IPA received its tax-exempt letter from the Internal Revenue Service, with a retroactive effective date of March 15, 1988, the date IPA’s application for nonprofit status was submitted.

  • IPA presented its first Organizational Networking Luncheon in collaboration with the heads of the Marion County Bar Association and the Coalition of 100 Black Women. The event welcomed approximately 125 attendees representing 25 community organizations and became a standing IPA event.

  • By resolution, IPA established the Willard B. Ransom Memorial Scholarship Fund to seek grants and other funding to support expenses associated with IPA’s Achievement Awards Breakfast Program and its honorees.

    In January 2006, a monetary scholarship proposal was presented to National City Bank. IPA subsequently received a $20,000 grant annually for three years, totaling $60,000. IPA and National City held a joint reception in January 2006 announcing the grants, with the final payment received in May 2008.

  • Following changes to the National Merit and Achievement Programs, IPA refocused its selection process for student honorees. With input from high school officials, IPA expanded its recognition to high achieving seniors from IPS, township, and other local schools.

    IPA also combined its Achievement Awards Breakfast with its Youth Empowerment Program. College bound student honorees now receive monetary book awards upon proof of first year college enrollment.

  • The initial version of an IPA video highlighting the organization’s history and major programs was created by Comcast Cable with comments from IPA members and affiliates. The written segments were provided by founding member Attorney Bernard Huff. The video was revised on November 2, 2020, and provided to IPA by Comcast Cable.