By Derik Hicks
Charlotte is more than just a hub for banking and professional sports; it’s a city rich in history, culture and community, warmly inviting visitors from around the world. According to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), visitors spend $8 billion annually in the Queen City. Many tourists enjoy immersing themselves in experiences that combine southern hospitality with the vibrancy of its diverse culture, much of which is enhanced by Black-owned businesses.
The CRVA plays a pivotal role in promoting Charlotte’s diverse tourism landscape, ensuring visitors enjoy everything the city offers. “Promoting Charlotte’s ever-evolving identity to prospective visitors is a huge task,” said Laura White, CRVA’s senior director of Brand Marketing & Strategy
“The essence of the ‘Charlotte’ brand that invites visitors to experience the destination is all about telling the stories of the Queen City through the eyes of the people who are making this city amazing. To do that, we need to enlist the voices, viewpoints, and experiences of many and that’s why we’re consistently looking to partner with vendors and resources who can help us tell this story in new and effective ways,” she said.
Among the many gems CRVA supports, three Black-owned businesses stand out: Charlotte NC Tours, LLC, Society at 229 and the Brooklyn Collective, and Power Up USA. These businesses celebrate Charlotte’s Black heritage while inviting visitors to engage with the city’s evolving cultural fabric.
Let’s take a closer look at these inspiring Black-owned enterprises.
Charlotte NC Tours, LLC offers an insightful journey through Charlotte’s history. Founded in 2009, this tour company provides experiences on foot, by bike, van, bus, Segway, and Rydables (stuffed-animal-covered electric carts). “Partnering with CRVA, we’re working to make Charlotte a destination city by developing unique ways to highlight the city,” said the owner, Dianna Ward.
One of their flagship offerings is the “Charlotte Black/African-American Heritage Tour,” which explores the West End and historic Brooklyn neighborhood, a former hub of Black businesses, churches, and schools before it was demolished in the 1960s due to urban renewal.
“On our tours, we introduce our patrons to people. We’re not just riding by, we are meeting the owners of various businesses and tasting their delicacies,” Ward said. “The tours are not just African American history, but also American history related to Charlotte. Our customers come from all over the world. Although Charlotte NC Tours, LLC is Black-owned, it’s not just for Black tourism.”
For history buffs, curious travelers or locals looking to reconnect with their city, NC Tours provides an enriching and eye-opening experience. Visitors gain a deep understanding of the city’s heritage, which can enhance further exploration of Charlotte’s historic sites, museums, and galleries.
Society at 229 and the Brooklyn Collective
Society at 229, formerly located in Uptown Charlotte and operated by Kevin and Monique Douglas, served as a gathering place for creatives, professionals and locals seeking conversations about community, cultural events and live music. “Society at 229 was a hub for Black culture in Uptown Charlotte,” said Kevin. Although the doors officially closed in September, it left a lasting legacy in the Brooklyn neighborhood — a historically Black area.
The Brooklyn Collective, which is still in operation, is a powerful example of community revitalization and cultural preservation. Housed in a historic building itself, the Collective serves as a co-working space, gallery, and event venue.
“Tourists are looking for a place where they can find good entertainment, where they could feel safe, and also feel like they’re getting a taste of the city that they’re in,” explained Monique, who is executive director of the Brooklyn Collective. “We’re surrounded by many full-service hotels and we’re in walking distance of them. This allows tourists to have a place where they could come and enjoy fine art.”
CRVA connects event organizers seeking unique VIP spaces with the Brooklyn Collective, further contributing to Charlotte’s annual $8 billion tourism economy. The venue continues to thrive, offering an authentic taste of Charlotte’s culture for locals and visitors.
Power Up USA Tommy Nichols, founder of Power Up USA, produces the Queen City Arts Festival and the Charlotte Black Film Festival (CBFF). Held on Labor Day weekend for the past four years, the Queen City Art Festival showcases spoken word performances, music, dance and more. Located Uptown, it is easily accessible to visitors staying in nearby hotels.
The Charlotte Black Film Festival, celebrating its 15th year in 2025, has become a key event for filmmakers, actors, and movie enthusiasts. “The CBFF is a boutique event that attracts filmmakers and creatives from around the world,” said Nichols. “While it doesn’t draw tens of thousands of visitors, the impact extends beyond the festival, reaching audiences via social media and international exposure. For two years, we’ve welcomed visitors from over 30 countries, and Hollywood executives often recommend the CBFF as one of the top five festivals filmmakers should attend.”
Nichols’ work has helped put Charlotte on the map as a city that fosters artistic expression and provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers to share their stories. The festival brings Black stories to the forefront, making a lasting impact on Charlotte’s cultural scene.
A tapestry of Black excellence
According to Laura of CRVA, “These are three vendors enriching Charlotte’s tourism scene through their expertise. Their businesses and events contribute to the tapestry of experiences that continue to make Charlotte a growing, vibrant community.” Charlotte’s Black-owned businesses provide visitors with more than just services, they offer deeply rooted experiences in culture, community, and creativity.
These Black-owned businesses, along with the Queen City Art Festival and the Charlotte Black Film Festival, are vital to the soul of Charlotte’s Black community. Their contributions to the city’s tourism landscape not only enhance the visitor experience but also celebrate Charlotte’s entrepreneurial and cultural spirit.
For those looking to explore Charlotte through a new lens, these businesses offer the perfect starting point, making every visit an unforgettable journey of discovery and connection.