This new HBCU tournament brings basketball talent and an economic boost to the Queen City.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β While the NCAA Tournament captivates the nation this week, Charlotte is preparing to host another significant collegiate basketball event: the inauguralΒ Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC).
The four-day tournament featuring teams from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) begins Thursday at Bojangles Coliseum, with 16 teams each in both men’s and women’s brackets competing for the championship title. Charlotte’s own Johnson C. Smith University is among the participating schools.
“This is HBCU March Madness,” said Dr. Wes Bellamy, organizer of the tournament. “These HBCUs deserve to be able to play postseason basketball.”
Bellamy organized the event to showcase HBCU athletic programs on a prominent stage in a major metropolitan area. He explained that the decision to select Charlotte was strategic.
“Charlotte, North Carolina as a whole is the hotbed in the main state for college basketball, and specifically the Queen City of Charlotte,” Bellamy said. “We felt as if there was a thirst for HBCU postseason basketball, and wanted to make sure that we were here.”
The tournament is attracting attention beyond basketball circles. Wanda Durant, mother of NBA superstar Kevin Durant, has thrown her support behind the event.
“I wanted to be a part of this tournament because we wanted to continue our support for HBCUs,” Durant said. “We made a contribution to Bowie State University back in Maryland, and so we wanted to continue that and make that a part of our and help the BCIC grow.”
Julius Grant from Van Wagner College in New York emphasized that the BCIC offers a unique experience compared to other basketball tournaments.
“We consider our event almost like a family reunion of all the HBCUs, even if you didn’t go to an HBCU,” Grant said. “All of those things kind of culminate when you go to the ACC tournament, watch basketball and [get a] hotel for this. So much more. It’s family time.”
The tournament represents more than just athletic competition β it’s an economic opportunity for Charlotte, bringing visitors and attention to the city during an already basketball-heavy season that recently included the ACC Tournament.
Bellamy hopes this first year establishes a foundation for future tournaments in Charlotte.
“If we don’t support our student-athletes and participate with the games, purchasing tickets coming and supporting these student-athletes, we won’t be able to have a year two or year three,” Bellamy said. “We are building this table, but we have to build it collectively together. So come on out and support these students.”
Games for the Black College Invitational Championship begin Thursday at noon. Tickets remain available for purchase.
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