Why We Network
The Indianapolis Professional Association (IPA) was founded in 1984 with networking at its core, bringing together professionals, businesspersons, groups, and organizations to address shared issues of concern, make a greater impact, and avoid duplication of effort.
Through networking, we come together to fulfill our moral, professional, and community obligations, with the belief that our collective efforts can strengthen and ultimately benefit the community at large.
IPA’s Spring Organizational Networking Luncheon, established in 2004, and its Fall Networking/Fundraising Event, which evolved from IPA’s Business Card Exchange, have served as meaningful forums to highlight local Black businesses, professionals, civic organizations, and others providing valuable services within the community.
Over the years, IPA networking events have addressed topics such as diversity in education and employment, local technology initiatives, mentoring and professional advancement in Indianapolis, while also showcasing local minority professionals and businesspersons.
As a result of the inaugural Organizational Networking Event in 2004, the African American Coalition of Indianapolis was formed through the collaboration of 13 civic, social service, and community service organizations to promote the engagement of African Americans on relevant issues and in the political process. The Coalition has since grown to 21 organizations working in partnership toward common causes.
Recent chronology of IPA’s two standing networking events
October 22, 2021
IPA’s Fall Networking Event 2022
Program theme: Exploring disparities with local initiatives to obtain racial equity and empowerment
October 28, 2022
IPA’s Fall Networking Event 2022
Program theme: Brief history and current state of black professional services and business in Indy with impacting factors and results
Important and standout feature: Recognizing and honoring three outstanding professional trailblazers in the areas of law, medicine and business
April 16, 2022
IPA’s Spring Organizational Networking Luncheon 2022
Program theme: Exploring racial educational gaps in local schools with substance and solutions
Important features: This event was held at the local historic Martin Luther King Center in Indy and the program theme was covered by a panel comprised of college educators, a state legislator and an organizational leader from NAACP
October 27, 2023
IPA’s Fall Networking Event 2023
Program theme: Leadership development with mentoring from different perspectives
Important and standout feature: A diverse panel of top leaders and managers from long-standing local civic organizations
NOTES:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public gatherings by the local governmental health agency, there were no IPA standing networking events in 2020. They resumed in 2021 with the successful implementation of the 2021 Fall Networking Event.
Purpose and outcome of IPA’s Networking Task Force’s mission
To strategically and progressively plan and implement meaningful programs and events which cover prevalent and current issues and matters of concern within IPA’s charitable missions with a broad application to obtain the maximum exposure and provide the greatest benefit to the local minority community and the community at large.
To join forces and/or collaborate with other organizations, groups and/or individuals to jointly implement programs, forums and other public informative events to make a larger impact, obtain a wider exposure and to prevent a duplication of effort.
To highlight, honor and recognize in forums the accomplishments, contributions and services of local minority professionals, businesspersons and others.