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T H E I N A U G U R A L Y E A R

To All Sponsors, Teams, Chancellors, and Athletic Directors who participatedin the Inaugural Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC)On behalf of the entire BCIC team, I want to extend my deepest gratitude toevery participating school, our incredible sponsors, and the manystakeholders who helped make this historic moment possible.The inaugural Black College Invitational Championship was more than just atournament—it was a statement. It was a declaration that when we cometogether, invest in our own, and create spaces that celebrate Black excellence,we can build something powerful and lasting.To every team that stepped on the court—thank you. You didn’t just play thegame—you made history. Your passion, energy, and sportsmanship laid thefoundation for what this championship will represent for years to come. I amimmensely proud of each of you for taking a chance, showing up, andcompeting with heart.This tournament is about more than basketball. It’s about building our owntables, telling our own stories, and supporting each other in ways that upliftour institutions and our communities. It’s about creating spaces where ourculture, our talent, and our excellence are front and center.Thank you to everyone who believed in the vision. Whether you were in thestands, behind the scenes, on the bench, or in the boardroom—you were partof something special. And let me be clear: this is only the beginning.Year one is in the books. The legacy has begun. And we’re just getting started.With deep appreciation,Dr. Wes BellamyFounder, BCIC

The FormatThe 2025 Black College Invitational Championship consisted of eight teams (fourwomen and four men) from the SIAC and CIAA conferences. Tournament playbegan on Thursday, March 20, 2025, with the opening rounds for both men andwomen. On Friday, a consolation round was held for those teams that did notadvance to the championship round. The final championship round was held onSaturday, March 22, 2025.Participating SchoolsMen WomenClaflin UniversityVirginia Union UniversityCentral State UniversityJohnson C. Smith UniversityClark Atlanta UniversityVirginia Union UniversityLivingstone CollegeJohnson C. Smith University"The BCIC was nothing short of transformative for the city of Charlotte. From themoment guests arrived, they were immersed in an event that was professional, polished,and purposeful. The impact on our local economy was evident, but more importantly,the cultural and educational significance elevated Charlotte’s profile as a premierdestination for first-class events centered around impactful events." — Steve Bagwell, Vice President of Partnerships, CRVA

Yard Fest - Bojangles Coliseum Parking LotThe BCIC Yard Fest, held on March 22, 2025, outsideBojangles Coliseum, was a vibrant celebration of HBCUculture and community. Featuring over 40 vendors, livemusic, and exclusive sponsor giveaways, the eventshowcased Black-owned businesses and fostered aspirited atmosphere ahead of the championship games. "What the BCIC team delivered was beyond basketball — it was a celebration of culture,competition, and community. The level of professionalism and attention to detail reminded meof national-level showcases. For our students, alumni, and athletes, this was a first-classexperience we’ll be talking about for years to come." — Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, President, Claflin UniversityMarch 19, 2025Empowerment Luncheon - Grace Baptist The BCIC Empowerment Luncheon, co-hosted by theKevin Durant Family Foundation and Black VotersMatter, brought together student-athletes,community leaders, and advocates to celebrate Blackexcellence and civic engagement. The eventhighlighted the importance of investing in HBCUcommunities and empowering youth througheducation, leadership, and social impact initiatives. Itserved as a powerful reminder of the collectivestrength found in unity, purpose, and cultural pride.Auxiliary EventsMarch 20-21, 2025March 22, 2025Education Day - Ovens AuditoriumEducation Day at the 2025 Black College InvitationalChampionship (BCIC) was a transformative two-dayevent designed to inspire and inform the nextgeneration of scholars. Held on March 20–21, itwelcomed nearly 2,000 high school and communitycollege students to engage with representatives from27 Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCUs), including 15 presidents, for college andcareer readiness sessions. The program featuredmotivational talks—highlighted by interactiveopportunities with military and industryprofessionals, reinforcing BCIC’s commitment toeducation, empowerment, and the enduring legacy ofHBCUs.

Empowerment Luncheon"Man, walking into that arena, hearing the crowd, seeing the lights, the setup — it felt like thebig leagues. Everything about the BCIC was first class. It wasn’t just a tournament, it was astatement. We felt like pros, and that energy pushed us to play our hearts out." — Thomas Johnson, Team Captain, Central State UniversityThe BCIC Empowerment Luncheon, co-hosted by the Kevin Durant Family Foundation and BlackVoters Matter, brought together student-athletes, community leaders, and advocates tocelebrate Black excellence and civic engagement. The event highlighted the importance ofinvesting in HBCU communities and empowering youth through education, leadership, and socialimpact initiatives. It served as a powerful reminder of the collective strength found in unity,purpose, and cultural pride.

Education DayParticipating Sponsors and Vendors:"Being part of the BCIC was an incredible experience, but what truly moved me wasEducation Day. Standing in front of nearly 1,000 high school students from right here inCharlotte and encouraging them to see college — especially an HBCU — as part of their futurewas powerful. The energy was real, the production was flawless, and the message was clear:Black excellence is alive and thriving. This event was more than first class — it was legacy-building."— Terrence J, North Carolina A&T AlumThe Academy of Goal AchieversAlabama A&M University Albany State UniversityAn Honest Look Counseling & ConsultingBenedict CollegeBlack Voters MatterCharlotte Fire DepartmentCharlotte-Mecklenburg Police DepartmentClaflin UniversityElizabeth City State UniversityFayetteville State UniversityFisk UniversityJohnson C. Smith UniversityLivingstone CollegeLong Island UniversityMaryland State PoliceMy Brother's KeeperNorth Carolina Central UniversitySaint Augustine's UniversityShaw UniversityThurgood Marshall College FundTuskegee UniversityUS Army ROTCUS MarinesUniversity of Maryland Eastern ShoreVirginia State UniversityVirginia Union UniversityWinston-Salem State UniversityEducation Day at the 2025 Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC) was a transformativetwo-day event designed to inspire and inform the next generation of scholars. Held on March20–21, it welcomed nearly 2,000 high school and community college students to engage withrepresentatives from 27 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including 15presidents, for college and career readiness sessions. The program featured motivational talks—highlighted by interactive opportunities with military and industry professionals, reinforcingBCIC’s commitment to education, empowerment, and the enduring legacy of HBCUs.

Education DayParticipating Schools and Organizations:"Being part of the BCIC was an incredible experience, but what truly moved me wasEducation Day. Standing in front of nearly 1,000 high school students from right here inCharlotte and encouraging them to see college — especially an HBCU — as part of theirfuture was powerful. The energy was real, the production was flawless, and the message wasclear: Black excellence is alive and thriving. This event was more than first class — it waslegacy-building."— Terrence J, North Carolina A&T AlumArdrey KellCochrane CollegiateCTE-CDCDavid W. Butler High SchoolDue-Mormon FamilyEaton FamilyJohnson FamilyHarding University HighHawthorne AcademyHopewell High SchoolI am WE BasketballJulius L. Chambers CDCMallard Creek High SchoolMyers Park High SchoolNorth Mecklenburg High SchoolNorthwest School of the ArtsOlympic High SchoolPatrice McLainPhillip O BerryRocky River High SchoolSouth Mecklenburg High SchoolThe Edward’s FamilyTurning Point AcademyWest CharlotteWest Mecklenburg High SchoolWilliam Amos Hough High SchoolWilliams FamilyWeddington High SchoolOlympic High SchoolIndependence High SchoolEast Mecklenburg SchoolCarolina Youth OrganizationAlbermarle High SchoolBrumby-Myers FamilyCharlotte Secondary SchoolCharlotte Lab SchoolLawson FamilyHoke Country High SchoolKirkland FamilyMartinsville High School (V.A.)McCurdy FamilyMountain Island CharterNorth Rowan High SchoolOlympic High SchoolPine Lake PrepPressley FamilyRegius PrepReinhardt FamilyRJ Reynolds High SchoolSakura Corridor Business AssociationW.J. Kennan High SchoolWest Charlotte High SchoolSmith FamilyMallard Creek High SchoolThursday: Friday:

Vendor Village "I’ve been to NBA All-Star weekends and high-major college tourneys, and the BCIC is right upthere in terms of energy, organization, and experience. The way they put HBCU culture ondisplay — with excellence and intention — was beautiful to witness. Count me in every year." — Brian “B-Daht” McLaughlin Influencer, Sports Analyst & HBCU AdvocateThe BCIC Yard Fest, held on March 22, 2025, outside Bojangles Coliseum,was a vibrant celebration of HBCU culture and community. Featuring over40 vendors, live music, and exclusive sponsor giveaways, the eventshowcased Black-owned businesses and fostered a spirited atmosphereahead of the championship games.

Press ConferenceA press conference was held following the men’s championship game on Saturday,March 22, 2025. The Johnson C. Smith University Women’s Coach, (insert coachname, was interviewed along with Clafin University Men’s Coach, (insert coachname). "In all my years of collegiate athletics, I’ve rarely seen an event run as efficiently and with asmuch pride and purpose as the BCIC. Our student-athletes felt seen, celebrated, and inspired.The hospitality, facilities, and crowd engagement were next level. This is the type of platformHBCUs deserve." — Tony O’Neal, Athletic Director, Claflin University "The BCIC set a new standard for how we celebrate and showcase HBCU athletics. From thebranding to the scheduling to the execution, this was an elite experience. It felt like MarchMadness mixed with a family reunion — strategic, smooth, and spectacular." — Dr. Denisha Hendricks, Athletic Director, Johnson C. Smith University