Melanin Magic: Black History Month Awards 2026

Melanin Magic: Black History Month Awards 2026

This Black History Month, we are proud to honor 10 extraordinary individuals who have made a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

Starting Monday, February 9th, and continuing through Friday, February 20th, we will celebrate a new honoree each weekday. 

These remarkable individuals represent the spirit of resilience, leadership, and innovation, showcasing the profound contributions of Black excellence throughout Indianapolis and beyond.

From trailblazing activists and cultural icons to visionary entrepreneurs and pioneering scholars, each honoree has shaped history in meaningful ways and continues to inspire future generations.

Join us as we celebrate their achievements and honor their legacies. 

Stay tuned each weekday to learn more about these incredible individuals and their stories of impact and inspiration!

PASTOR KENNETH SULLIVAN

Dr. Kenneth E. Sullivan Jr. serves as Senior Pastor of New Direction Church in Indianapolis, where he has dedicated nearly two decades to guiding, mentoring, and empowering individuals and families. A native of Indianapolis, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Crossroads Bible College with a double major in Pastoral Ministry and Theology and is currently completing his Master of Divinity at Indiana Wesleyan University. Through dynamic preaching, teaching, and community engagement, Pastor Sullivan has made it a priority to pour into the lives of youth and young adults while communicating faith in a way that resonates with this generation.

Beyond the pulpit, Dr. Sullivan is a published author and community advocate committed to strengthening families and reducing violence in surrounding communities. He is the author of “Rules of Engagement,” a relational guide rooted in biblical principles, and co founded S.A.V.E.S., a nonprofit organization focused on developing programs, camps, scholarships, and initiatives that provide alternatives to violence and create pathways for growth and success. His work and ministry have also been featured nationally, including appearances on the reality television show It Takes A Church.

As a husband, father of three, business owner, and civic leader, Dr. Sullivan serves on multiple advisory boards supporting economic empowerment, community engagement, and youth development. His leadership reflects a deep belief in the power of faith to redirect lives and inspire purpose, continuing to make a meaningful impact across Indianapolis and beyond.

MARSHAWN WOLLEY

Marshawn Wolley is President and CEO of Black Onyx Management, a Black owned applied research and evaluation, management consulting, and managed services firm focused on turning insights into measurable impact. Nationally recognized as a thought leader in stratification economics, public policy, and small business development, Wolley has contributed widely to conversations on community economic growth. He has served as an award winning syndicated columnist for the Indianapolis Recorder, authored a monthly column for the Indianapolis Business Journal, and frequently speaks at national conferences focused on economic development and small business finance.

Wolley’s leadership extends across both public and private sectors. He has been appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Advisory Council for Small Business and is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Presidents and CEOs Circle. He previously served on the 2012 Super Bowl Host Committee, where he strengthened supply chain strategies and partner relationships. His impact has earned him numerous honors including IBJ’s Forty Under 40, National Hero in the Movement by the National Urban League Young Professionals, and Forward Thinker recognition from the Governor of Indiana.

A scholar and civic leader, Wolley holds multiple advanced degrees from Indiana University, including an MBA from the Kelley School of Business, an MPA from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies, and a Master of Science in Economics. He is currently part of the inaugural Philanthropic Leadership doctoral program, where his research focuses on community development financial institutions serving Black owned businesses. Named Corporate Philanthropist of the Year in 2024, Wolley continues to champion bold leadership and community impact while raising his son, Alexander, with a deep belief in creating opportunities that have never existed before.

BEATRICE BEVERLY

Beatrice Beverly is a nationally respected mental health advocate, community leader, and child mental health worker with decades of experience advancing trauma informed, family centered, and community rooted mental health support. She is the President and Owner of Genesys Solutions, a certified agency through the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction, serving youth and families across Indiana with diagnosed mental health needs. Through her leadership, she delivers wraparound services, child mental health interventions, life skills development, and clinical support that strengthen resilience and long term stability.

As a mother with lived experience navigating complex behavioral health systems, Beverly brings authenticity, empathy, and compassion to every space she serves. She holds numerous certifications including Certified Child Mental Health Worker, CAMS Provider, Parent to Parent Peer Support Specialist, and Youth Mental Health First Aid trainer. Her work bridges professional expertise with lived experience to create healing centered and equity focused solutions for individuals and families.

In addition to her clinical leadership, Beverly serves as Co Founder of Stop the Violence Indianapolis, Board President of Brightwood Forest Manor Community Center, and serves on multiple boards including The Women’s Fund and Family Care Champions. A published author, speaker, and Six Sigma Black Belt, she is widely recognized for translating lived experience into systems level change that centers healing, hope, and human dignity across Indianapolis and beyond.

CARLOS TAYLOR

Carlos Taylor, senior program manager of the Gregory S. Fehribach Center at Eskenazi Health, has dedicated his career to expanding access to education and career opportunities for individuals with disabilities. A Ball State University graduate, he earned his degree in business information technology before completing both an MBA and a Master of Science in information and communication sciences. His commitment to excellence and service earned him recognition from his alma mater through the GOLD (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award and the Harris Rose Outstanding Alumnus Award.

Since joining the Fehribach Center in 2019, Taylor has led the development of paid internship opportunities for college students with physical disabilities, overseeing recruitment, partnerships, accommodations, and professional development experiences. His leadership has helped expand the program’s impact beyond Indianapolis, earning national recognition, including the 2024 Chevron Innovation Award from the National Association of Colleges and Employers. He also shares his expertise through national presentations and publications focused on accessibility and workforce inclusion.

In addition to his work at Eskenazi Health, Taylor serves as a digital accessibility and equity consultant for Teachers College at Columbia University and previously spent more than 15 years at Ball State University providing assistive technology support. His ongoing service includes leadership roles with organizations dedicated to disability advocacy and workforce development, and he was selected as one of 25 fellows in the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation’s 2025 cohort, recognizing his continued commitment to building more inclusive opportunities across Indiana.

MAGGIE LEWIS

Councilor Maggie A. Lewis, MPA, an Indiana State University alum, began her career in public service after earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education and her Master of Public Administration following her graduation from Columbus East High School. Since completing her studies, she has remained committed to improving the well-being of the Indianapolis community through leadership in both government and nonprofit sectors.

Lewis made history during her time on the Indianapolis City-County Council, where she served six years as president, becoming the first woman to hold the position. During her tenure, she also became the first woman elected as majority leader and was later voted by her colleagues to return once again to the presidency, continuing her legacy of civic leadership and impact.

In addition to her public service, Lewis currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, where she works to expand opportunities for youth across the city. Her previous nonprofit experience includes leading fundraising initiatives and building collaborative partnerships to strengthen organizational missions. She is an active member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and the Circle City Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and is married to Indiana State University alum Leroy Lewis III, with whom she shares one son, Leroy Lewis IV.