Queen City’s Royalty

It is no little-known fact that Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Banking and business are booming, and transplants are traveling from all over the country to settle here. However, what has continued to pulse underneath the Wells Fargos and the Bank of Americas is the art scene, which is being cultivated by Black pioneers.

Indeed, the crown of the Queen City is encrusted with the gems of the diaspora and is proud of it.

In the two years that I’ve spent here, I have discovered a community so tight-knit and invested in the progression of the culture that goes unnoticed unless you know someone who knows someone.

There are arts spaces dedicated to the empowerment of African-Americans, one of the most prominent being the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, which historically has been a pillar in the Black community. There’s also dupp&swat and BLKMRKTCLT, which are also visual arts and event spaces that are dedicated to giving Black artists a platform.

Even more obscure art forms, such as spoken word, have a home in Charlotte. Among them are Eclectic Soul, an open mic and artist showcase hosted by the aptly-named Sir Abstraxxx (@sirabstraxxx); Superfriends’ Writing Workshop which is followed by Release Therapy Open Mic, both of which are hosted by APoetNamedSuperman (@apoetnamedsuperman); and The Inkblot Slam, which is a poetry competition hosted by Breeze (@brzthepoet); and many, many more.

Spilled! CLT is dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the royalty that Charlotte is home to — the art scene teeming with new and revolutionary ideas.