IBE Lunch & Learn: Understanding Power Beyond Politics

Who really makes decisions in our communities and why does it often feel like those decisions happen without us?

This session explores how power operates beyond elections, shaping outcomes in housing, education, public safety, and economic opportunity. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the systems and structures that influence decision-making and what it means to lead within them.

Whether you’re new to civic engagement or looking to deepen your impact, this conversation will challenge how you think about power and your role in it.

Event Details

• Format: Lunch Session

• Time: Doors open at 11:00 AM | Program: 12:00 PM–1:00 PM

• Location: IBE Building (601 N. Shortridge Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46219)

Panelists: TBA

What you’ll learn

• The difference between elected, institutional, and structural power

• How systems and policies shape community outcomes

• Why many communities feel excluded from decision-making

• What civic leadership looks like beyond voting

Food available for the first 100 attendees. Space is limited (150 max), so RSVP today—one ticket per person. Make sure to share this event with a friend!

About the IBE Community Learning Series

The 2026 IBE Community Learning Series is a six-part experience designed to help participants better understand civic power, policy, and community impact. Through engaging dinner and lunch conversations with local leaders and experts, each session explores how decisions are made, who holds influence, and how individuals can take action to create meaningful change.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Indiana Black Expo Inc.