Bank of America Stadium with Charlotte skyline in the background; (c) Precisionviews/Wiki Commons

Charlotte Trivia

Charlotte is the number one travel destination in North Carolina. It attracts about 10 million visitors annually.

The growing Charlotte metro area has just over 2,000,000 residents.

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

Charlotte had a gold rush in 1837.

Uptown is considered Charlotte’s Central Business District.

Charlotte has several trophy skyscrapers downtown, including the 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 for better branding while maintaining headquarters in Charlotte.

Charlotte is home to 7 Fortune 500 headquarters and nearly 300 divisions of Fortune 500 companies.

Charlotte has recently appeared on national lists for being the most livable city and most business-friendly city.

Charlotte native Stephanie Mills performing at an Opera House; credit Kdrayf01/Wiki Commons

Famous Residents

The list of African American celebrities, athletes, social ground-breakers, business leaders, and government dignitaries born or made their mark in Charlotte includes:

Harvey B. Gantt – Charlotte’s 1st Black mayor who transitioned the city’s emergence as a banking powerhouse and most livable city
Charles Emmanuel “Sweet Daddy” Grace – Founder of United House Of Prayer For All People
Romare Bearden – artist and writer
Anthony Hamilton – R&B singer
Stephanie Mills – R&B singer and Broadway actor
Stephen Curry – MVP NBA player
Antawn Jamison – All-Star NBA player
Rev. S.C. Alexander & Rev. W. L. Miller – Founders of Johnson C. Smith University
Cheryl Watkins – Founder-chef-owner of Ms. Elsie’s Caribbean Bed & Breakfast
Reverend S.W. Waddell – Founder of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. Mary Harper – University of North Carolina at Charlotte professor who championed the African American Cultural Center
Sam Mills – All-NFL linebacker and Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor monument at Bank of America Stadium
Stephen Davis – All-NFL running back

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