TASTE OF SOUL

TASTE OF SOUL

Black Food Truck Battle Royale
BRING THAT BEAT BACK

BRING THAT BEAT BACK

Live Performances
FEEL THE ENERGY

FEEL THE ENERGY

Blackness in Bloom
Join the Event

Event Date & Time

May 25, 2024
@11.00 am

Event Location

Community Alliance of the Far Eastside
8902 E 38th St
Indianapolis, IN 46226

Curating a Vibe

“A spring festival celebrating every shade of excellence, for those who flaunt their melanin with no apology.” – Dominic Dorsey (founder)

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The Melanin in May Festival SoundStage Performers

Black Owned Food Truck Battle Royale Competitors

Highlights

A show is only as good as it’s master of ceremonies…

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Tony Styxx

Tony Styxx is an Indianapolis institution. As much a fixture of the culture as the Salesforce tower in the naptown skyline. He’s hosted a ton of events from open mics to club events, and even is the current voice of Gainbridge Fieldhouse, but with the exception of the arts & activism event called “The Wake”, we’d never worked together in this SPECIFIC capacity…so we threw it out there. And the rest they say, will be history. Say hello to the host of the Melanin in May Festival and master of ceremonies on the performance stage, Ronald A Craig Jr BKA Tony Styxx!

Ms EKlass

Erica “Ms EKlass” Pierce is a mother of four, radio/tv personality, writer, public speaker, voice-over actress, & digital designer. A proud Ball State graduate, she’s currently putting Klass on your airwaves as a syndicated radio personality across the country. A national voice-over actress, she’s voiced advertisements for such brands as Toyota, Wendy’s, HBO’s Insecure, and more! When she’s not holding down the mic, she’s designing websites, graphics, and more via her digital media & design agency, A Klassy Life. Above all of this, is her love for God, family, music, and helping others. She truly loves being a source of motivation for other women and it’s evident in all that she does. Ms EKlass promises to always entertain, inform, and inspire, all while keeping it klassy of course!

Meet All Our Performers
ADMISSION

For those who don’t know? Admission to the Melanin in May Festival is absolutely free. Like…free-free. Free.99. Why? Because we’re about community and not commerce. But the less money you spend to vibe with us? Also means the more coins you have to patronize Black business owners, food vendors and creatives during the event!

BATTLE ROYALE

For the 2nd time, we will be hosting our Black Owned Food Truck Battle Royale! Judged by a trio of chefs with impeccable taste as ten of our top Black Owned food trucks vy for the opportunity to hoist ten pounds of gold above their heads as the Battle Royale Champion! And while this is happening? You get to buy and try everything they have to offer!

PARKING

Parking is available across the street from CAFE in the old abandoned Kroger parking lot. Stay tuned for more information on additional parking options as we draw closer to the event.

INCREDIBLE CROWD

Make no mistake, this is an environment designed to be and affirm those who are unapologetically Black. Blackity Black vendors. Blackity Black chefs and Blackity Black artists. Do you have to be Black to attend? Absolutely not! Come fellowship with us! Enjoy yourself. Bring the family, friends and co-workers. We want everyone to experience this!

Sponsors

VENUE

Cafe (Community Alliance of the Far Eastside)
8902 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46226-6073

CAFE is committed to engaging adults, youth, and seniors in a community network that strives to keep families strong, empowered and connected through opportunities for leadership, self-sufficiency, asset building, and social activities.
CAFE offers direct aid to many of our residents who are in desperate need. We help working families who face large winter heat bills. We provide the elderly with structured activities and nutritious meals. We connect the unemployed with job training and counseling. And we give working families peace of mind by providing a safe, quality after-school environment for their children.

*All proceeds from Vendor Registration are donated directly to CAFE on behalf of Naptown Dont Sleep.

To the right, you’ll find the parking map. Please note there will be parking shuttles taking patrons to and from event parking, dropping off just outside the IU Health & Wellness Village and to the right of the Promo Tent and picking up in front of the abandoned Kroger across the street. If you elect to walk as opposed to using the shuttle service, please note the nearest crosswalk at the intersection of 38th & Post Road between Pizza Hut and Papa Johns.