Charlotte is the number one travel destination in North Carolina.

Charlotte had a major gold rush in 1837.

Uptown is Charlotte’s Central Business district.

Charlotte attracts about 10 million visitors annually; 55% of them are leisure travelers.

Charlotte has several trophy skyscrapers downtown, including world headquarters for Bank of America and Wachovia Bank.

Charlotte-based First Union Bank acquired San Francisco-based Bank of America, but chose the latter’s name while keeping bank headquarters in Charlotte.

Charlotte is home to 7 headquarters of Fortune 500 companies and 292 divisions of Fortune 500 companies and 340 foreign firms.

Charlotte appears on several national lists for being the most livable and business-friendly city.  That’s an accolade appreciated by over 1,500,000 residents in its metro area which grew nearly 30% in the 1990s.

More than 280,000 African Americans also call metro Charlotte home.

Notable residents born here or made their mark here:

Harvey Gantt
Charlotte’s 1st Black mayor who transitioned from the old guard and oversaw the city’s emergence as a banking powerhouse and winner of most livable city status; nearly elected to the U.S. Senate

Charles Emmanuel “Sweet Daddy” Grace
Legendary founder of United House Of Prayer For All People Church

Rev. S.C. Alexander & Rev. W. L. Miller
Founders of the distinguished HBCU, Johnson C. Smith University

Cheryl Watkins
The 5th generation of women in business and founder-chef-owner of Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean Bed & Breakfast

Reverend S.W. Waddell
Founder of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Mary Harper
The University of North Carolina Charlotte English professor who conceptualized and championed the development of the African American Cultural Center

Sam Mills
All-star linebacker with the NFL Carolina Panthers, this well-loved sports hero has a monument on the Panthers Hall of Honor next to Bank of America stadium

Stephen Davis
All-star running back on the NFL Carolina Panthers, was also born in nearby South Carolina