Chelsea Wilson is a sports events professional currently working as a project coordinator for the 2022 Indy College Football Playoff host committee.
Previously she oversaw event operations at the Indiana Convention Center, championship operations for the DI Women’s Basketball Championship at the NCAA, and has worked for several other organizations such as the Outback Bowl, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Cannes International Film Festival, United Way of Central Indiana, and Live Nation.
Chelsea is an Indianapolis native and graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Tourism, Convention, and Event Management and minors in Film Studies, Sports Marketing, and Africana Studies.
How do you spend your days? For example, you can tell us about your career, side hustle or exercise routine whatever you want to share here we’re ready to listen.
I work as a Project Coordinator for the 2022 Indy College Football Playoff host committee, where I am responsible for our Legacy events, volunteer program, special events, and other operations surrounding the championship game. I also work part-time at the box office at Bankers Life Fieldhouse where I sell and distribute tickets for Pacers games, Fever games, and entertainment events.
You’re off the clock, there are no expectations. What are you doing?
Prior to the pandemic, I would usually go to the movies with my family, listen to music, or drive to Chicago for a concert. Many joke that attending concerts is like a second job for me.
When thinking about the future of Indianapolis, what are you most looking forward to in the next 5 years and why?
What excites me most about Indianapolis is all the new things being built in the downtown area. As someone who lives downtown, it’s great to have so many fun things to do in such close proximity. It’s amazing to see how many new things pop in just a years time. One thing in particular that I’m excited for is the Bottleworks District.
Are there any local causes that you support? What are they and how might others learn more or get involved?
At my job, we partner with The Mind Trust to help make Indianapolis and Indiana a great place for teachers to live and work. I believe that this work is especially important now, given all the challenges teachers are facing as a result of COVID-19 and with utilizing e-learning. Our funding to The Mind Trust has gone towards providing e-learning resources for teachers and parents and creating professional development opportunities for teachers.
You can help support these initiatives by donating to The Mind Trust here: https://themindtrust.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/donate
Do you have a favorite local place in town (restaurant, bar, park, etc.) that you love going to? Where is it and why should other people try it out?
I would probably say my favorite place I like to go to in Indy is LUNA Record Store. They have a great selection of music, and it usually takes me an afternoon to go through everything. It’s a very therapeutic activity for me.
Indianapolis is a sprawling county, what’s your favorite part about our city?
My favorite thing about Indy is the downtown area. To me, downtown is where all the excitement is. I get all my favorite things in one area: Pacers/Colts games, concerts, good food, and shopping. My favorite area is the Mass Ave/Chatham Arch area, which is where I currently live.
If you were a superhero what would be your special trait? Why?
Can event planning be a super power? Ever since I can remember planning gatherings has been something that has brought me absolute joy. Whether it was a family gathering or a birthday party…. Creating special moments for people is something I feel like I do very well. And I’m thankful to have the chance to create these moments for the city of Indianapolis in my current role through sports.
You’re hosting your own music festival with three artists – Who’s performing?
Assuming that this can include both dead and alive… Michael Jackson, Prince, and Beyonce (duh).
If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?
I’ve been trying to pick just one song for the last 30 minutes… This is an impossible question for me. And the answer would probably change every other day.
Mornings or evenings? And why?
I like evenings over mornings because it’s easier to stay up late than to wake up early.
How do you define success?
To me, success is waking up each morning with purpose and happiness in every aspect of your life.
What would you name the autobiography of your life? Feel free to give us context here.
Adulting While Black: The Struggle
Right now the main focuses in my life are finding my purpose, engaging and positively impacting my community, supporting my family and friends, professional fulfillment, and trying to survive independently in a country that doesn’t always stand up for me (as a woman and black person) the way it should.
