Life and Religion

Black alumni get together to remember and give back

Nov. 23 ball at CenterStage @ NoDa

Published Thursday, November 21, 2019 3:22 pm

by Ashley Mahoney | The Charlotte Post

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The annual Black Alumni Ball is Nov. 23 at CenterStage @ NoDa, 2315 North Davidson St.

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The Black Alumni Ball returns to Charlotte this weekend.

The vision was born in Washington, D.C., where it continues to occur annually, with the most recent event taking place in August. However, it expanded to a second location last year, when the inaugural Black Alumni Ball in Charlotte took place at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture. The Nov. 23 ball takes place at CenterStage @ NoDa (2315 North Davidson St.) from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Charlotte-based group The Harvey Cummings Project will perform, with additional music by Izzy the DJ and Nique Suave. King Flexxa will host the event.

“We are so excited to be bringing the Black Alumni Ball back to the Queen City,” co-creator Jonathan King said in a statement. “Charlotte is full of dynamic individuals and a growing demographic so we knew this would be an ideal location and look forward to continuing to return.”

Organizers said they will announce a donation to a local charity on the day of the event.

In addition to gathering black alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and predominantly white institutions for a night of sophistication and style, the ball also highlights influencers making their mark in the community. Last year’s class included 15 people. Ten new additions will be honored at a private mixer on Nov. 22.

The 2019 class includes: Kendra Logan (owner of Ardnek Success Consulting), Juan Lascano (education consultant), Latesha Byrd (certified career and life coach), Kevin Pleasants, Jr. (brand strategist and creative director), Dominique Clark (relationship expert and entertainment journalist), Jerome Myers (real estate and financial advocacy advisor), Cory K. Bennett (nonprofit professional and social entrepreneur), Lorri Lofton (marketing & events specialist), Kyle S. King (CEO, The Shine Institute) and Ohavia Phillips (media personality).

For more information: https://blackalumniball.com