INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An annual event in Indianapolis is taking a sharp turn away from its old name, but the goal is to keep its longtime mission directly on track.

For eight years, Tha Black Owned Business Block Party brought dozens of local entrepreneurs together in one spot – to sell their wares, share their stories, and potentially make new customers and friends.
Organizers say all of that -and more- will now happen under a new brand: the EightDown Festival.

“150 Black-owned businesses will be taking over every square inch of Flanner House,” longtime organizer Dominic Dorsey shared during a visit with WISH-TV’s Daybreak. “But we’re also going to be offering trophies. We’re going to be awarding some champions within the community. We’re going to be highlighting more of those cultural aspects.”

Asked for an explanation for the name change, Dorsey said the local calendar is increasingly crowded with block parties from several different organizations. That led to the re-branding to EightDown.

“So ‘Eight’, obviously, for the month of August. ‘Down’ being a euphemism for unity,” he explains. “So this is an opportunity for us to celebrate unity and excellence during the month of August. Still highlighting those Black-owned businesses, but also all of the things that we do exceptionally well in art, culture, dance, music across the board.”

Dorsey says it will be just like the old Block Party, but “turned up to 11!”

He also points out that while minority entrepreneurs are at the heart of the festival, he hopes people of all cultures will feel welcome to attend.

“This is for anybody who appreciates the culture,” he says. “This is a place for you to come and feel your most unapologetically authentic self. That’s what we want to celebrate. That’s what we want to uplift. And we want everybody to come out and experience that.

The party is Saturday, August 2nd from 1-7pm at Flanner House, 2424 Dr. MLK Jr. Street.
There is no charge to attend, and Dorsey hopes the free entry will encourage everyone to bring a little spending money.

“The idea is that you spend as little as you can to get there, so you can spend as much as you can with these black owned businesses.”

About The Author

See author's posts