The Root Recommends: CIAA

You have a couple of days to plan — get thee to Charlotte. Stat. Suggested Reading Do You Know The History of Go-Go Music, The Sound That Defines Washington D.C.? Why the 2026 Awards Season Is So Exciting for Black People The 5 Saddest Revelations About Lamar Odom’s Addiction Video will return here when scrolled…

You have a couple of days to plan — get thee to Charlotte. Stat.

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Inside Lenny Kravitz’s Jaw-Dropping Paris Mansion

Often referred to as simply CIAA, the annual all-black Central Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament  in Charlotte, N.C., is a must-attend event for many folks in the know. The athletic conference includes 13 black schools — including Bowie State, Winston-Salem State and Virginia State. In addition to the main event (or perhaps more important than the main event) are the parties, events and expos that occur throughout the duration of the tournament, which run from Feb. 28 to March 5. Get tickets here.

Previous recommendation: On the Shoulders of Giants.

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