Simply put, without our generous sponsors, the Melanin in May Festival would not be affordable to the vast majority of the Indianapolis community. As a result of their generosity, we’re able to provide a free experience for attendees to experience live performances, a venue for Black-owned businesses and patrons to network with others, and contribute to the landscape of Black joy and entrepreneurship in Indy. By donating to Melanin in May, each has furthered our mission to provide opportunities to celebrate Blackness in Bloom, and serve as a launchpad for these small businesses.

Vibranium Sponsorship

PMPHASE

PMPHASE is a consulting firm that believes “all jobs are projects”.  The organization’s purpose is to assess, address and resolve issues that may be complicating or compromising daily business operations. Our goal is to promote platinum level service with integrity, quality and commitment.

The company has engaged with several top level organizations in the healthcare industry as well as one of the leading firms in the legal industry. We value our clients and their dedication to education, training and development, and process improvements for their staff and organization overall.

PMPHASE focuses on project management, education, training and development, business analytics, revenue cycle management, and process improvement. With over twenty five years of experience in the company, we offer the expertise needed to successfully complete all projects we are involved in.

Black Onyx Management

“Black Onyx Management is the management consulting firm with community focus.
We help companies, nonprofit organizations and local government agencies understand and reach local communities.
As experts in applied research, community engagement and program development, we equip organizations to building lasting programs that positively impact those communities.”

Platinum Sponsorship

Fathers and Families Center

Fathers and Families Center equips fathers and empowers families so that children thrive. During our 30-year history, we have helped approximately 23,000 fathers become better people, parents, partners, and providers. All of our services are free; in fact, we give men a stipend to attend. We also give them the resources, guidance, and support they need to be great parents. Our unique emphasis on empowering fathers has helped us create a caring support system focused on exactly what they need: life-skill development, job-readiness training, education, counseling, and help finding gainful employment.

First Merchants Bank

Since our beginnings in 1893, we understand that it’s about the customer. We make our customers feel at home. We show them we care. We make them feel special. Give them advice. Give them value. Keep our promises. Help them out when they really need it. Reach out to them. Know them. Thank them.
First Merchants Corporation is the largest financial services holding company located in Central Indiana. We provide our customers with broad financial services delivered locally by bankers who are known and trusted in their communities. We offer personal banking, business banking, mortgage lending, treasury management services, and wealth management.
We are focused on building deep, lifelong client relationships and providing maximum shareholder value. We provide an environment where customers can bank with their neighbors, realizing that our business begins and ends with people.
Our company includes:
Banking
The largest part of our company is First Merchants Bank, providing the best of what banking can offer since 1893:
• Local leadership and relationship professionals
• Community involvement with talent, time and treasury
• Local decision making
• Local boards of directors who are committed and engaged
to ensure that the voice of the customer is heard

 

Patient Hands Home Care

The vision of Patient Hands is to leave a legacy of exemplary care and compassion for every client we encounter. We also want to create a community of resources for families and their loved ones.

 

Republic Security, LLC

Republic Security provides a collaborative and efficient approach to security and personal protection services that helps our clients reduce costs, manage risk, while maintaining a safe working environment.

24K Sponsorship

Rose Project Consulting & Counseling

Rose Project utilizes a Family and Person-Centered Approach to its service delivery to ensure that a thorough assessment of health and safety is achieved for all household members. Lynell is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, The Matrix Model for Addictions Treatment, and Cognitive Accountability Training for Batterers Intervention. With over 20 years of experience, she has cultivated a team of professionals who provide Nurturing Parenting Curriculum, Beyond Trauma education, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, and team decision making when it comes to case management.

Naptown DJ Festival

The Naptown DJ Festival was created to celebrate and honor Indiana’s vibrant DJing culture and history, rooted in the spirit of The Blend-Mixing Proclamation of Indianapolis. This groundbreaking proclamation signifies the city’s recognition of DJing as a dynamic sonic art form that bridges communities, fosters creativity, and preserves the rich musical legacy of Indianapolis

IBE

IBE celebrates cultural diversity and inclusiveness across all races, ethnicities, nationalities, generations, socioeconomic levels and religious affiliations. We continue to strive for excellence by providing unique events and programs that reflect the changing landscape of Indiana and the world. Our commitment to excellence through personal enhancement and community development exemplify our dedication to improving the quality of life for all. With a statewide infrastructure now including 12 chapter affiliates, IBE continues to be a major economic and social contributor to our youth and the Indiana community.

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Black Dolla Indy

Black Dolla Indy is at the forefront of meeting community needs and fostering Black entrepreneurship. Stressing collaboration with other organizations, initiatives like our ‘Prep & Access course provide foundational business knowledge and link participants with supportive networks for growth and lasting success. We understand that while starting and growing a business is vital, visibility ensures its endurance. Our motto “Visibility Is Life” aims to amplify the presence of Black-owned businesses 365 days a year through the recent launch of our Black business directory. We strive to ensure businesses are Seen, Supported, and Sustained!

 

Power P Bounce & Co.

When the name Power P is heard, she is jokingly discussed as though she is someone separate from her 1st identity of Mrs. Precious Jones. Separate from the wife, the mother, or the Police Chief that serves and protects her family and our children daily, it is each of these identities that gives its own piece of purpose to the drive that pushes her to share herself with our community through health and fitness.
How does she do this? First, with God’s guidance by BEASTING it out through Kangoo Bounce for the overall wellness of all who enter the beast house doors. This has been her main focus since 2019 as she is not only certified to instruct Kangoo Bounce and Discovery for youth, but also Spin Cycle and Trampoline Fitness. With Power P, having a space to hold various types of fitness classes, she also serves as a community leader. Utilizing her platform to unify our community by providing black women a safe space to live out the message of sisterhood, togetherness and belonging. This shows how Power P graciously shares herself with the world around her.
So, who is Power P? A Beast of a woman that embodies leadership, connectivity and support! In order for you to fully grasp these words, come meet us at the Bounce House for any of our classes and you will see loyalty and commitment in Beast Mode!Fitness classes for all levels. The only requirement is to leave judgment at the door & have fun!
To learn more about Power P Bounce & Co. and all their amazing fitness classes and resources, please visit their website at https://www.powerpbounce.com/
TropicalSmoothies

Tropical Smoothies

The 2025 Melanin in May® Festival would like to thank our newest 24K Sponsor, Tropical Smoothies!
That’s right, come down to 38th & Post on #OurRaceDay and enjoy a tall frosty smoothie in a variety of tropical flavors: Pineapple, Piña Colada, Blue Hawaiian, Strawberry, Mango, Guava, You name it! It’ll get you right!
Come catch them in their tent right outside CAFE!

 

Dope Lemonade

Dope Lemonades is not your average lemonade stand. Offering ‘Fresh Ingredients and Dope Flavors’ – we specialize in gourmet lemonades, iced teas, frozen beverages, and sugarless drink options at festivals, private parties, and public indoor and outdoor events. You may have had lemonade before; but you’ve NEVER tasted anything like this. We present a fun and delicious alternative to soda – with flavors that appeal to the people we serve. From fruity and fun, to exotic cultural drink varieties, seasonal treats, and customized options. We serve our cold drinks in clear cups or glass mason jars with fresh fruit. Our visual aesthetic is just as important as our taste – and with some of the dopest flavors around – you’re bound to find something you like!
Fresh Fruit. Dope Flavors. Mason Jars. What’s better than that?”
To learn more about Dope Lemonades, visit their website at http://dopelemonades.com
 
NMBA

National Black MBA Association® Indianapolis Chapter

The National Black MBA Association® is the premier business organization serving Black professionals. With 41 Chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, The National Black MBA Association® (NBMBAA) fosters economic equity and career advancement for historically underrepresented professionals and aspiring leaders through transformative educational opportunities, robust professional networks, and actionable advocacy for wealth creation and inclusion.
The award-winning Indianapolis Chapter was established in 1990 and remains dedicated to supporting our members at every level, as well as corporations, higher education institutions, and the Greater Indianapolis community. We achieve this by fostering opportunities in education, wealth building, career development, and entrepreneurship.
We can’t thank NBMBAA Indianapolis enough for their support of this event as every penny raised helps keep this event free to the public and provides the much needed support and amenities to make this year’s Melanin in May Festival a huge success!
For more information about the National Black MBA Association®Indianapolis Chapter, visit their website at https://nbmbaa-indy.org/

Consistent Care Transit LLC

Consistent Care Transit is a Certified Minority Woman Owned Business located in Indianapolis, Indiana offering wraparound care to seniors and young adults. Their services include adult day, home care and transportation!
We can’t thank Consistent Care Transit enough for their support of this event as every penny raised helps keep this event free to the public and provides the much needed support and amenities to make each iteration of the Black Business Bazaar a huge success!
For more information about Consistent Care Transit, please visit their website at http://www.consistentcaretransit.com
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Nap or Nothing

The 2025 Melanin in May® Festival would like to thank our newest 24K Sponsor, NaporNothing!
NapOrNothing is a homegrown brand that highlights hip hop culture from INDY (Indianapolis, IN) through clothing design. It’s about being proud of where you’re from. We’re “From That 317!” OTG!

 

Silver Sponsorship

Black Girls Eating

Co-hosts Tanorria Askew, of Tanorria’s Table and Candace Boyd, of FoodLoveTog, talk, educate, and advocate for justice, Black Girl Magic, and well-seasoned food. Both leaders of the food scene in Indianapolis, Candace and Tanorria’s cadence over the airwaves is magical. They mesh. They are meant to do this.
They learned about their special bond while sharing platforms and stages. They both work with Indy Women in Food as Community Engagement Leads and co-moderators of the DiverseCity Series.
Candace and Tanorria don’t wait for opportunities to amplify Black voices. They make them. Grab a biscuit and a chicken wing and tune in every other week for a celebration of sisterhood, food, and Black culture.
Find them anywhere you listen to podcasts and at BlackGirlsEating.com

Bronze Sponsorship

Guy’s Cooking Creation was launched in 2017 by owner, Phillip Guy. Phillip has always had a passion for making connections through creating amazing dishes and incredible sauces. Phillip was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN and comes from a lineage of cooks such as his Uncle Artie, who was the founder of Uncle Artie’s Barbecue. After high school Phillip explored several career opportunities before deciding what he didn’t mind waking up doing the rest of his life. Phillip decided to make Guy’s Cooking Creation official, and the rest has been history. Guy’s Cooking Creation has continued to create a buzz due to its creative dishes and incredible sauces. Guys Cooking Creations has catered for businesses and private clients across Central Indiana. Phillip currently has 17 Sauces ranging from Barbeque Sauces, Hot Sauces, and International Sauces. The company is committed to providing a premier service with a personalized touch. As business continues to grow, Phillip finds himself in high demand, however he never grows weary in seeing his vision that was once a dream come true.

“Crochet (/Kro’Sha/) noun. – A handicraft in which yarn is made up into a patterned fabric by looping yarn with a crochet needle. “a crochet hook”.

Chibbey Wee: nickname given to me as a toddler by my late grandma. When she passed i used this name to honor her memory. This year my grandma is celebrating her 100th birthday in heaven!

I started crocheting at the young age of 9! I crochet every single day and take my yarn everywhere I go aiming to change lives one stitch at a time!”