CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Leon Kerry, commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, remains bullish on Charlotte despite the city being the target of protests and criticism from Black leaders.
Kerry said Thursday his Division II league of historically Black colleges and universities remains committed to holding its basketball tournament in Charlotte, saying it’s “the best place” it’s been held in his 22 years on the job.
The CIAA recently signed a three-year extension to keep the event in the city through 2014.
“Charlotte has been exceptionally great to the CIAA,” Kerry said. “We became a destination here. The community is involved.”
Local NAACP President Kojo Nantambu has urged groups to reconsider events in Charlotte after the city’s school system held classes on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as a makeup for a snow day.
Leaders also protested last year when they felt plans to close schools disproportionately affected minority students.
