NDIANAPOLIS (July 12, 2011) – Governor Mitch Daniels will recognize five education, business and community leaders from across the state today at the Indiana Black Expo, Inc.’s (IBE) 41stAnnual Summer Celebration Governor’s Reception.

“Black Expo is now deeply woven into the social fabric of our state, and perhaps the greatest of its annual contributions is to lift up the best of our best, those whose lives serve as stirring examples to Hoosiers of all ages,” said Daniels.

Award recipients were selected by the governor in collaboration with state and community leaders. Daniels and IBE Chief Executive Officer and President Tanya Bell will present the awards during a ceremony at the State House.

Reverend Charles R. Williams Community Service Award recipient: Dennis E. Bland

Dennis E. Bland is president of the Center for Leadership Development (CLD), an Indianapolis non-profit organization dedicated to empowering African American youth for the highest academic and career success. CLD was founded in 1977 as a minority leadership training program for high school students. As a concept of the Lilly Endowment Inc., the organization was created through the Indiana University School of Business. CLD’s programs are built upon teaching youth five touchstone values: character, education, leadership, service and career. Under Bland’s leadership, CLD has more than doubled the number of youth programs offered and annually prepares more than 2,000 students for success.

Sam Jones Trailblazer Award recipients: Pat & B.J. Magley

Pat and BJ Magley started Heroes Camp with faith, prayers and a desire to serve an underprivileged and overlooked generation of young men. Beginning in their home, Heroes Camp has grown tremendously over the last 22 years. Heroes Camp offers the support of food, clothing, shelter, counseling, tutoring and faith to at risk youth in the South Bend area. They have mentored thousands of young men, many times from broken homes, who might otherwise have come under the influence of gangs and substance abuse. In 2006, Pat Magley was named a gang and street behavior expert by the Northern Indiana Federal Supreme Court.

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Health and Physical Fitness recipient: Anthony Gillespie

Anthony Gillespie is a senior field consultant for the Indiana Minority Health Coalition (IMHC), a statewide organization that addresses chronic disease and other health-related issues that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities. IMHC provides building and technical assistance to minority health coalitions and community-based nonprofit organizations. Gillespie also serves as executive director of Brothers Uplifting Brothers, a grassroots HIV/AIDS organization. As the HIV Project Director, Gillespie led a two-year grant process that resulted in federal funding for primary medical services to people living with HIV in Lake County. He has also led a National Centers for Disease Control initiative that resulted in the formation of two community based organizations that address HIV/AIDS in minority populations. In 2006, Gillespie was named the Indiana regional, statewide and national Citizen of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers.

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Civic Leadership recipient: Marcus C. Robinson

Marcus C. Robinson is the principal and chief executive officer of the Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School in Indianapolis. Under his leadership the school, chartered in 2004, has become a National Blue Ribbon School. Tindley School has received state and national recognition for student achievement. Robinson is a recognized presenter on educational topics including school culture, closing the achievement gap, dual enrollment and charter school policy. As a classroom teacher, he taught in both public and private schools in urban and suburban areas. Robinson is committed to reducing the impact of race and socioeconomic status on the school performance of inner-city youth. He hopes to expand his school into a network of Accelerated Schools serving a dramatically larger student population throughout the Midwest through a new organization he leads, EdPower.

Governor’s Award for Achievement in Business and Entrepreneurship recipient: Tim Harris

Tim Harris co-founded Harris & Ford, LLC in 1994 and led it to become a major distributor of chemicals, ingredients and related products and services to food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, water and industrial customers. Originally operating from a small industrial park on Wales Avenue with only eight employees, Tim Harris and Joe Ford initially struggled to find success for their company. Today they are among the top chemical and ingredient distributors in the nation with revenues approaching $200 million, including nearly 20 percent growth during the recent economic downturn. Harris is an active member of the Indianapolis community and has built a family center on 11 acres of land near Turning Point Church, where he frequently preaches. The family center program focuses on youth outreach in Indianapolis. During the summer, approximately 800 children attend the camp.