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Charlotte's nightlife is magnetic. When the sun goes down, the city buzzes with born-to-be-famous local musicians, ener- getic dance floors, speakeasies serving up carefully crafted cocktails, breweries over- flowing with local suds and more. There's something for every personality in every pocket of the city. • • GREENSBORO • • Greensboro is where a Woolworth lunch counter changed the course of U.S. history, and that spirit of activism still lingers in the air. The International Civil Rights Center & Museum, housed in the original Woolworth site, can host recep- tions and civil discourse events that spark real change. For planners seeking mean- ingful experiences, Greensboro offers depth. Event organizers can further expand their programming through partnerships with the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, which supports cus- tomized site tours and heritage-focused itineraries. Consider scheduling executive roundtables or policy panels at the historic Bennett College, one of only two remain- ing all-women HBCUs in the nation. Greensboro's downtown is walkable, with new mixed-use developments connecting cultural venues, eateries, and art installa- tions. The city's creative economy continues to thrive with initiatives like Downtown Greenway public art walks and live jazz at local lounges that double as commu- nity gathering spaces. Groups can also incorporate food truck clusters, popup maker markets, or book local poets to host verse-led icebreakers that deepen attendee engagement. For offsite options, the Weatherspoon Art Museum and Revolution Mill offer flexible, cultur- ally enriched environments for board meetings, receptions, or spoken word events. Black-owned event producers and caterers can further personalize every touchpoint. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex and Koury Convention Center provide ample space for large conferences, sports tournaments, and cultural summits. Accommodations range from the Grandover Resort to stylish boutique hotels downtown. With five colleges and universities, including North Carolina A&T State University, the largest HBCU in the nation, Greensboro offers a pipeline of speakers, performers, and academic venues. The North Carolina Folk Festival, the African American Atelier, and Black-owned culi- nary partners like Dame's Chicken and Waffles amplify Greensboro's creative core. This is a city where art and advocacy go hand in hand. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Greensboro – (336) 274-2282 www.visitgreensboronc.com • • RALEIGH • • As the state capital and a cornerstone of the Research Triangle, Raleigh is a natural fit for tech and education- focused meetings. The Raleigh Conven- tion Center features 500,000 square feet of meeting and exhibit space and is surrounded by hotels, public art, and public policy. Its central location within North Carolina's innovation corridor makes it ideal for statewide conferences, regional consortiums, and government-adjacent summits. Nearby attractions like Red Hat Amphitheater and Moore Square offer options for outdoor networking, while the Warehouse District adds walkable din- ing and nightlife. Raleigh's growing network of coworking spaces, rooftop lounges, and creative studios provides planners with flexible, design-forward venues. These additions appeal to next-generation attendees seeking unconventional back- drops for panels, fireside chats, or hybrid sessions. Events here benefit from Raleigh's access to institutions like Shaw University and St. Augustine's University, both HBCUs with deep civil rights and academ- ic significance. These campuses offer auditoriums, lecture halls, and speaker opportunities tied to legacy and progress. The North Carolina Museum of History and the Pope House Museum (home of North Carolina's first licensed Black physi- cian) offer historical venues for cocktail hours and keynotes. Black-owned businesses thrive in Raleigh, from wellness and wine to books and barbering. Many are located in the revitalized South Park and Southeast Raleigh corridors, areas once neglected now redefined by creativity and civic engagement. The city's hospitality industry increas- ingly supports supplier diversity and inclu- sive programming. For a capital city, Raleigh feels both progressive and pur- poseful. WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Visit Raleigh – (800) 849-8499 www.visitraleigh.com AREA GUIDES Greensboro Coliseum 62 B M & T ••• September/October 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com photo credit: Greensboro CVB.