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.

Johnson C. Smith University and Livingstone College are rivals on the hardwood. | 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 spoke at the announcement, sharing her excitement to bring this tournament to the Queen City. | 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.