08.27.2024

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94º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:52 a.m. | Sunset 7:56 p.m.
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🏀 Love and basketball

Charlotte to host HBCU March Madness-style tournament

Dr. Wes Bellamy was all smiles as he announced the inaugural Black College Invitational Championship to take place at Bojangles Coliseum in March 2025. | Photo by CLTtoday

Circle these dates on your calendar: March 20-23, 2025. Bojangles Coliseum will host the inaugural Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC). The tournament will showcase post-season basketball featuring men’s and women’s teams from historically Black colleges and universities.

“All four HBCU conferences, from the CIAA to the SIAC, to the MEAC, and the SWAC, all participating and battling it out on the hardware right here in this building,” said Dr. Wes Bellamy, CEO of Black College Invitational Championship.

Event details

The tournament begins Thursday, March 20, featuring 16 Division I + II teams vying to be the Black College Basketball Champion. Tickets are on sale.

“It was intentional for us to have this tournament during the first week of NCAA March Madness,” said Dr. Bellamy.

During tournament weekend, Black-owned businesses will be promoted for Queen City visitors. Nearly 1,200 hotel rooms have been secured, all under $250 per night.

Livingstone player flying to dunk a basketball. — Johnson C. Smith University and Livingstone College are rivals on the hardwood.
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Photo via WCNC

Tournament inspiration

For 15 years, Charlotte hosted the CIAA Tournament, grossing $25 million for the local economy. The Queen City last hosted the event in 2019 before relocating to Baltimore, MD.

A tourism drought followed for the city + organizers saw a lack of representation in the annual NCAA Tournament.

“There was dialogue about, well, ‘why don’t we have our own HBCU basketball tournament,’” recounted Dr. Bellamy. “And the thought was, very simply, we don’t have to beg the NCAA to do something for us. We can do it ourselves.”

Mayor Vi Lyles walking to address a clapping crowd. — Mayor Vi Lyles spoke at the announcement, sharing her excitement to bring this tournament to the Queen City.
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Photo by CLTtoday

The tournament is a labor of love, thanks to partnerships between the City of Charlotte, Van Wagner, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, 100 Black Men of Charlotte, and Charlotte Sports Foundation.

“I know that the people that work in this system, and at the CRVA, are just as excited as we all are to host this Black College Invitational Championship,” laughed Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.

“This is more than basketball, this is about our culture,” exclaimed Dr. Bellamy.

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 27

SkillPop: Gold Leaf Abstract Art | Tuesday, Aug. 27 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | 201 Camp Rd., Charlotte | $48 | Channel your inner artist by creating an abstract and colorful masterpiece.
Charlotte Knights vs. Nashville Sounds | Tuesday, Aug. 27 | 6:35 p.m. | Truist Field | $19-$73 | The Knights will play to celebrate women in sports.
Whiskey Tasting | Tuesday, Aug. 27 | 7 p.m. | Dot Dot Dot | $169 | Celebrate National Bourbon Heritage Month early by learning about 2XO Whiskey + a paired dinner.

Wednesday, Aug. 28

Trivia night at CBG | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 7-9 p.m. | Charlotte Beer Garden | Cost of purchase | Put your knowledge to the test while surrounded by the world’s largest selection of draft beers.
Imagine Dragons: LOOM WORLD TOUR | Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 7 p.m. | PNC Music Pavilion | $49+ | Feel the “Thunder” as Imagine Dragons rocks the Queen City.

Thursday, Aug. 29

Town Brewing Block Party | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 4-10 p.m. | Town Brewing Company | Cost of purchase | Be part of the lively atmosphere + live music, food trucks, and craft beer in the beer garden.
Kudzu: A Story of Belonging | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 8:30 p.m. | QC Family Tree | $28 | Immerse yourself in the story of what it means to call Charlotte home.
Crossroads Cinema: ‘Barbershop’ | Thursday, Aug. 29 | 8:30-10:30 p.m. | Ford Green | Free | Bring a lawn chair and laugh at this blockbuster showing at Camp North End.

Friday, Aug. 30

Speed Dating | Friday, Aug. 30 | 7-9 p.m. | Búho Bar | Cost of purchase | Try your hand at speed dating. Open to people ages 27-42.
Abbey Road Live | Friday, Aug. 30 | 7 p.m. | The Visulite Theatre | $20-$25 | Dance and sing to your favorite Beatles classics.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

🎆 How to end your summer with a bang

Fireworks going off on a baseball field in the middle of downtown Charlotte.

Batter up for a night of back-to-back fireworks this holiday weekend. | Photo provided by the Charlotte Knights

Summer’s winding down, but there’s still time to cheer on the Charlotte Knights as they take on the Nashville Sounds.

Enjoy these explosive promos + theme nights all weekend:

Back-to-back-to-back fireworks | Friday, Aug. 30-Sunday, Sept. 1
Live music + Margaritaville Night | Saturday, Aug. 31
Family Funday + Villain Night (hang out with your favorite villains as they take over Truist Field) | Sunday, Sept. 1

Bonus: Arrive early on Saturday to play catch on the field.

Snag tix

News Notes

Weather

The heat returns to the Queen City. WCNC Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich forecasts the “heat dome” will be short lived, with relief expected next week. (WCNC)

Transit

Charlotte City Council will vote next week to purchase 22 miles of the Red Line. The $91 million purchase would only cover tracks in Mecklenburg County with an option to extend to Iredell County — costing an additional $17.75 million. Council is expected to vote on Sept. 3. (The Charlotte Observer)

Civic

Mark your calendar. Mecklenburg County District 5 Commissioner Laura Meier will host an open house on Thursday, Sept. 5 to address behavioral health initiatives + Park and Recreation services. Registration is encouraged.

Shop

Three new stores are coming to Carolina Pavilion — Sierra, Academy Sports & Outdoors, and Ulta Beauty. The stores will open in 2025. The additions come as the shopping center was purchased by a real estate investment firm for $94 million. (Charlotte Business Journal)

Plan Ahead

Carowinds is planning a fireworks display this Labor Day weekend. The Summer BLAST! Fireworks Show will be on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 9:30 p.m. The event is included in park admission.

Charlottean

A Charlotte-based family is striving to run a 5K in all 50 states. Jeremy and Kelly Hough + their teen daughters are running to support Smile Train, an organization raising awareness and funds for children affected by cleft conditions.

Watch

Denver-based Michael S. is competing for love on the upcoming season of “The Golden Bachelorette.” The retired banker says he’s excited for the chance to fall in love again. The show premieres on Wednesday, Sept. 18 on ABC. (Lake Norman Publications)

Sports

The Carolina Panthers will trim their roster by end of day today. Who could be traded? Go beyond the clipboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Family

Need Labor Day weekend plans? The Charlotte Knights have you covered. Enjoy fireworks after every game this weekend + theme nights like Saturday’s tribute to music legend Jimmy Buffet. Did someone say cheeseburgers in paradise? Snag tix.*

Try This

Rave reviews continue to roll in for Synergy’s new hyaluronic acid injectable treatment, which helps your skin plump + hydrate from within — without filler — by retaining moisture under the surface for up to six months. See the treatment in action.*

Biz

Small business owners, financial hurdles should never stand in the way of your success. Visit BusinessLoans.com to compare personalized financing offers + unlock funding to fuel your goals.*

Arts

🎤 Meet John Tosco

The organizer behind Charlotte’s free concerts: Tosco Music

John Tosco sitting in his office with a guitar, surrounded by signed photographs and instruments.

John Tosco, founder and director of Tosco Music, has a passion for bringing music to the community. | Photo by CLTtoday

What do The Avett Brothers, Rachel Platten, and Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs have in common? Tosco Music. The nonprofit, spearheaded by John Tosco, makes live music accessible for the city and gives aspiring artists a chance to make it.

“There’s so much that divides us, and music’s what brings us together,” said Tosco.

If you’ve attended a previous Fab Fest, an open mic at The Evening Muse, or Viva La Música, you’ve attended a Tosco Music event.

The nonprofit also provides music scholarships and opportunities to aspiring musicians dreaming of a bigger stage.

“We want to support them. Sometimes just a connection to a record label or performing a gig or helping with social media helps,” added Tosco.

John and his team are planning Fab Fest, the Southeast’s largest Beatles festival (tickets on sale now). If you want to support the nonprofit’s efforts, there are ways to get involved.

Behind the music

The Buy

The Buy 8.27.24 (Affiliate)

Your favorite pair of Levi’s jeans for 60-70% off, thanks to Amazon’s Labor Day sale. Browse women’s high rise skinny jeans, women’s shaping jeans, and men’s relaxed fit jeans.

Shop Amazon's Labor Day sale

Answered

Yesterday, we asked “What do you enjoy most during your visit to Camp North End?”

The entrance of Camp North End beneath a blue sky. — Camp North End is a 76-acre business park with food stalls, public art, shops, and office space.
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Photo by CLTtoday

Not only does Camp North End pay homage to its history but celebrates the future, with the addition of a new tenant and apartments.

When asked, 57% of people said there’s a great variety of shops, 21% said the food is tasty, 14% enjoy the gorgeous plants, and 7% are fans of the farmers market.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Maria

From the editor

While attending the announcement for the Black College Invitational Championship, I couldn’t help but smile at everything I heard. I’m excited to see this tournament take the Queen City by storm. It will be a great opportunity for so many of our young athletes and businesses.

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