News
New Web Site Celebrates Black Expo
August 2, 2007
On July 12, the first day of Indiana Black Expo’s 37th annual Summer Celebration, we launched a new Web site that celebrates Indiana University’s presence at Black Expo and highlights impressive African Americans from IU. The site also demonstrates IU’s increased commitment to diversity through President Michael McRobbie, who plans to double enrollment of underrepresented minorities at IU by 2013.
Titled “Rootwords,” the site explores the black experience at IU through the actions of its leaders, a group that includes the first black graduates of IU, jazz great David N. Baker, women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack, and the first African American faculty member, among others. It features profiles of these individuals, links to university-wide diversity resources, and information about IU’s involvement with Indiana Black Expo, Inc.
Art director Kathleen Chmelewski and content specialist Alison Hamm worked together to create the concept of “Rootwords.” Combining quotes from historic and contemporary black leaders, a navigation of action words that link to the individuals’ profiles, and black and white photos against a vivid background, the site displays “rootwords” as “expressions of action, power, and depth.”
Ravi Pherwani did the programming, Rebecca Salerno oversaw the project, and Jane Below and Kyle Haskins provided valuable advice to the team. The site was featured on the IU Gateway site throughout the course of Black Expo and will reside permanently on the vice president of diversity, equity, and multicultural affairs Web site.
