COVERAGE FROM COURTSIDE TO CULTURE
For the fourth consecutive year, Visit Baltimore leveraged the CIAA Tournament week to showcase Baltimore’ s Black history, food, art and culture to national media. We welcomed seven journalists from outlets including AFAR Magazine, Black Enterprise, Ebony Magazine, Blavity, HelloBeautiful and Woman’ s Day. In total, the publications represent a combined readership of more than 13.8 million.
With America’ s 250th anniversary approaching, the itinerary highlighted Baltimore’ s role in American history through the lens of its Black heritage and culture. The trip kicked off with a Black culinary heritage dinner curated by H3irloom Food Group and hosted at Stem & Vine. Throughout the weekend, the group experienced a tour of the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, an oyster shucking masterclass at The Urban Oyster, a tour of“ Amy Sherald: American Sublime” at the Baltimore Museum of Art, a visit to Black Butterfly Farm and an after-hours experience at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, all culminating in the championship games.
Woman’ s Day’ s Keydra Manns called her time here“ unforgettable” and wrote that Baltimore“ instantly became one of my favorite cities.” While Blavity explored Baltimore’ s revitalization, Black-owned businesses and growing arts scene, HelloBeautiful positioned Baltimore as the ultimate girls’ trip destination.
“ Baltimore is definitely a destination to add to your list if you’ re looking for a safe space filled with culture, good food, and proud Blackness through and through.”- Ebony
MEET THE INAUGURAL CLASS OF CIAA STUDENT AMBASSADORS
The impact of the CIAA Men’ s and Women’ s Basketball Tournament is felt far beyond the court. The collaboration gave these rising stars the opportunity to build their professional portfolios and networks while showcasing Baltimore culture and community to their followers.
Visit Baltimore recruited students from three HBCUs to document and share their authentic tournament experiences on social media. Through their first-person storytelling, these ambassadors generated excitement, increased awareness and connected with younger fans.
• Jonah Reid, Fayetteville State(@ iamj. reid)
• ZaMya Wilder, Winston-Salem State(@ za. myajaii _)
• Alexis Carsonn, Morgan State(@ alexis _ carsonn _)
Visit Baltimore provided access to VIP events and areas, introduced the ambassadors to influencers and journalists and secured oncamera local TV interviews for each student. In return, these students provided first-person storytelling to their followers and beyond, giving them the opportunity to build their professional portfolios and networks while showcasing Baltimore culture and community.
1,630 full and part-time positions supported
$ 1.7M donated to CIAA scholarships
56.6 MILLION IMPRESSIONS from student ambassador and influencer partnerships
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