Sponsors – EightDown™ Fest

Our Sponsors

Simply put, without our generous sponsors, Tha Block Party 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 The EightDown™ Festival, each has furthered our mission to provide opportunities to illuminate Black Excellence in entrepreneurship and supporting the youth of Indianapolis in their educational pursuits.

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For those of you who don’t know, Flanner House has been a staple in the Indianapolis Community consistently contributing to the uplift and support of Black People since it’s inception in 1898! “For 125 years, Flanner House of Indianapolis has been at the epicenter of helping people move to a place of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. Focusing on Education, Employment, Wellness, Peace and Safety, and Economic Development, and Food Justice, Flanner House is prepared to serve the evolving needs of our area residents.”

Morningstar, a subsidiary of Flanner House of Indianapolis, Inc., is a neighborhood-based, multidisciplinary behavioral health center that offers culturally affirming and responsive mental healthcare to the residents of the Near Northwest Side.

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Uru Sponsorship

As a benefit corporation and management consultancy, Black Onyx Management helps organizations make informed, strategic decisions that lead to lasting change. We design and implement programs, conduct analysis and assessments, and deliver outcomes that drive results. Backed by senior leadership experience across government, Fortune 500 companies, and major nonprofit and civic initiatives, our advisors support clients in navigating complex challenges and advancing meaningful progress.

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Vibranium Sponsorship

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.

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Platinum Sponsor

The Riverside Cultural District is a historically rich, predominantly Black neighborhood and arts hub located just northwest of downtown Indianapolis along the White River. Anchored by the 862-acre Riverside Regional Park (which is larger than New York’s Central Park), the district is undergoing a major multi-million-dollar revitalization.

Republic Security is a fully licensed/insured private security and protection agency owned and operated by certified law enforcement officers. We offer trained uniformed guards, available armed and unarmed, 24 hours a day, 7 days week. 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.

Our security guards are put through rigorous, in-depth training specified for each post assigned. They are uniformed in provided police style uniforms or uniforms that are requested by the client.

We operate our own security training facility where we license and train all our guards. Our guards are CPR/AED/First Aid certified.

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The Vinyl Destination DJ Battle League (VDBL) is where skill, competitive spirit, camaraderie collide. Featuring the best DJs locally, regionally, and nationally competing for not only bragging rights and the opportunity to hold championship hardware, but to sharpen their skills, sharpen their opponents and ultimately #PlugUpOrShutUp

On August 2nd, 2025 at the EightDown™ Festival ONE DJ is set to etch their name in history on the perpetual DJ Skrill Memorial Heritage Cup, walk away with their own hardware as well as a grand prize. Which DJ has the fortitude and most importantly, the skills to make that happen… remains to be seen.

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Youth-2-Greatness (Y2G) is a nonprofit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana that focuses on developing, cultivating, and enhancing the community’s access to resources through education, mentorship, and community service. We are dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders and helping them reach their highest potential.

Y2G is partnering with the EightDown™ Festival this year to once again facilitate the “Youth & Young Adult 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament”! Tournament Divisions include: 9-12, 13-15, 16-18 and young adults.

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24K Sponsor

The 1’s & 2’s Culture Fest, powered by the legacy of Naptown DJ Fest, is an event designed to elevate & celebrate the art of DJing that showcases music, talent, and culture, and is an annual event to commemorate the Blend-Mixing Culture Day in Indianapolis! You can hear them keeping the party going with the best mixes of today and yesteryear with Hip Hop, R&B, House, and more! And be sure to return for the 1’s & 2’s Culture Fest on August 8, 2026 at Watkins Park!!

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“Nap Or Nothing” is an Indianapolis based clothing store pushing “NAPTOWN” culture through fashion design. All threads in the shop are produced locally (Circle City Prints). We’re located downtown in the heart of “Mass Ave.” We’re growing and look forward to your next visit.”

We can’t thank Nap or Nothing 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 volume of Tha Block Party a huge success!

For more information about Nap or Nothing, or to grab YOUR locally designed and sou

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Cassandra is an innovator in the hair industry. Known for her unique and innovative hairstyles and sharp haircuts that catches people’s attention. She comes from a humbling background where her love for hair started when her mother could not afford to take Cassandra and her two sisters and two brothers to the barbershop and hair salon. Cassandra at the age of 13 years old, decided to take matters into her own hands. She taught herself how to cut and design hair to help her brothers and sisters feel and look better. Now, she teaches others to embrace their talents and gifts. Cassandra overcame bullying and feeling like an outcast and wasn’t comfortable in her own skin. Now she helps people to embrace their true identity and loving themselves. With a big heart and a driven purpose to spread self-love and helping people find their true identity through hair, she is not planning to slow down anytime soon. She is certified with the board, she is certified with her community, and she is definitely certified among other hair stylists.

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Where artisanal perfumery meets modern luxury. Saint Charles Parfums is an ode to the urban sophisticate, blending artistry, culture and opulence. We are committed to creating exceptional fragrances that empower you to embrace your unique self while exuding confidence.

We value quality and operational excellence. Whether it’s the velvety warmth of oud from Bangladesh, the delicate petals of Bulgarian rose, or the crispness of Calabrian bergamot, our compositions are a symphony of fragrant material. MSCP fragrances are meticulously crafted from a harmonious blend of:

Naturals: Quality essential oils, absolutes, and resins sourced sustainably from around the world.
Isolates: Precise aroma molecules that elevate our compositions.
Synthetics: Cutting-edge ingredients that push boundaries and improve performance.

Our fragrances are crafted to create a beautifully alluring sillage. All concentrations are eau de parfum or higher. Whether you are looking for a signature scent, artistic design, or a thoughtful gift, Saint Charles Parfums fragrances are a great choice.

To get your hands on a bottle of Maison Saint Charles Parfums, be sure to visit https://www.maisonsaintcharles.com

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Bronze Sponsor

Established in 2013, Whipped by M&S specializes in handmade, all-natural body products for both men and women. Our commitment is to provide our customers with high-quality, natural products crafted with care. We offer over 600 fresh fragrances, and more than 15 natural skin care products designed to soothe and nourish the skin. Our goal is to ensure that you find the perfect product tailored to your needs.

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Media Partners

Midwest Leak is an urban lifestyle marketing brand based in Indianapolis.

Our company is home to Midwest Leak Magazine which is a digital/print publication dedicated to sharing our community’s light. Midwest Leak Magazine celebrates our excellence by shining a light on all aspects of our culture creatively documenting our experiences through stories to inspire and empower our community across generations.

We are event engineers with key annual events being an awards show highlighting excellence in entrepreneurship and entertainment called the Leak Awards, Finesse the Runway which brings independent streetwear brands, artists, vendors and models together for an urban streetwear showcase and Music Monday which is an open mic and concert series.

We also have a community for entrepreneurs, the Creators’ Club, and a line of t-shirts and merchandise that promote messaging from our vision in our retail space called the Black Love Exchange.

Ultimately, we are passionate about connecting individuals with ways to market and grow their gifts, skills and talents turning them into entrepreneurship opportunities and encouraging self-sustainability to build our community.

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iHeart Media’s affiliate home of Hip Hop and R&B, Real 98.3 FM Indianapolis!!! Naptown’s new home for Hip-Hop n’ R&B will officially be in the house for this year’s event to hold it down and Keep it REAL. “We are the Culture. Every single one of Us.”

Tired of keeping up with social media? We get it. That’s why we run it, so you don’t have to. From social media marketing and content creation to email, SMS, and high-converting ads, we take the guesswork out of digital marketing. Whether you need a strategy that sells, a brand that stands out, or an event that fills up, we’ve got you covered. You focus on running your business—we’ll handle the rest. Ready to turn engagement into profit? Let’s make it happen.

At We Run It Social, we’re more than marketers—we’re brand builders. Our team includes creative partners, an event marketing expert, a photographer with a sharp eye, and a seasoned digital marketer. From standout content to high-impact campaigns, we bring strategy and creativity that get results. You rest, while WE RUN IT.

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E.G.O. Entertainment is a multimedia production and service company established in 2017, comprised of three divisions, JQLM RADIO, E.G.O. MAGAZINE, and EGO TV. This company not only provides music, talk shows, and other entertainment with the highest levels of listener satisfaction in mind when it comes to radio, but also provides support, advertising (radio, magazine, and television), and other opportunities to help grow businesses and brands all over the world.

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