People have always had their perceptions of Indianapolis – both good and not so good. Whether people consider us a sleepy city (I can’t count the number of “Indy‘nap’olis” jokes I have heard over the years from my friends who live in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and other larger cities) or they recognize us for our strong sports affiliations; people believe what they want to believe.
Regardless of anyone’s perceptions of Indianapolis, there are a few things that cannot be denied this city relative to the big game: we were brave enough to submit a proposal to host the Super Bowl; once selected as the 2012 host city we had big ideas; and with the game finally upon us, we have boldly executed our initiatives.
Indianapolis has turned into a super city that people the world over now recognize for its positive attributes. We thought big and we delivered. Kudoes to the Super Bowl Host Committee!
Under the leadership of its President and CEO Allison Melangton, the local host committee and the thousands of volunteers have done an exemplary job of displaying the talent and creativity that our city has to offer.
That talent includes a racially and gender diverse group of individuals who nearly five years ago committed themselves to the point where we are now.
I feel a tremendous sense of pride knowing that there is a woman who sat at the helm of the host committee and provided excellent leadership and direction to her staff as well as the community at large. Melangton is a highly skilled woman whose efforts can’t be devalued. The fact that she is a woman who led Indy’s Super Bowl efforts gives the feminist in me an extra sense of pride. Melangton, as well as the other women who served in various staff and volunteer roles have done what many people feel only men are capable of doing. Go girl power!
But as I mentioned before, the local Super Bowl Host Committee isn’t just gender-inclusive, but it also demonstrates racial diversity.
African-Americans Tony Mason, senior vice president, and Marshawn Wolley, director of emerging business/community outreach, have done fabulous jobs in their respective roles. As a minority media outlet it was great to always be in the loop with Super Bowl happenings as well as initiatives for local businesses. Such effective communication was because of Mason, Wolley in addition to Dianna Boyce, director of communications and Brad Carlson, vice president of marketing.
Ever since it was announced that Indianapolis would host the 2012 Super Bowl, I was in communication with publishers of Black newspapers throughout the country whose respective cities have hosted the big game. Many of those publishers felt their newspapers were not included by the NFL and even the local host committees. Some even claimed they did not receive regular updates or news releases.
I’m glad the Recorder’s experience has been quite the opposite. Our local host committee and the NFL have extended the same courtesies to us as they have to the traditional media outlets in town. I have no complaints.
So while there are still yet a few days until the biggest spectacle this city has seen, I have no qualms about declaring all things Super Bowl a booming success for Indianapolis.
The past couple of weeks have been great for our local community and surrounding areas to partake in all the wonderful attractions downtown – from the zip line to the 46 for XLVI initiative and of course the popular NFL Experience. Now it is time for us to be the hosts that the Midwest is known for. Here’s to showing our visitors from around the world classic Hoosier Hospitality.
Let’s enjoy our moment in the spotlight!
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
