NAACP National Convention in Charlotte: Your guide to parking, transit + more

Thousands are expected to flock to uptown Charlotte later this month for the NAACP’s 116th National Convention.

“The NAACP National Convention is an empowering and immersive experience held each year to celebrate our community’s collective power,” the organization says. “The Convention attracts innovative change-makers, thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, entertainers, influencers, and creatives to network and exchange ideas.”

The theme for this year’s convention, slated for July 9-16 at the Charlotte Convention Center, is “The fierce urgency of now,” a phrase coined by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963 that still rings true today with the current political climate, the organization says.

If you’re headed to the Queen City for the event, here’s what to know about parking, transportation and which roads will be closed around the convention center.

How can I register for the NAACP National Convention?

You can register for the convention at naacp.org/convention/registration.

Registrations prices range from $200-$400 for adults and $100-$175 for youth. Virtual registration is not available this year, but some events will be live streamed on the NAACP’s YouTube page.

Parking in uptown Charlotte

There are nine covered parking decks and three surface lots to park, according to a map provided by the Charlotte Convention Center.

You can also use the SpotHero parking reservations website and app to book a spot in advance.

Getting to uptown Charlotte

If you want to avoid driving, the LYNX Blue Line runs between uptown Charlotte and I-485 along South Boulevard, with convenient stops at the Convention Center, and at the Carson and Brooklyn Village stations. You can buy tickets at vending machines on the platform or through the CATS-Pass app.

For rideshare, such as Uber or Lyft, you should plan to get dropped off or picked up outside the convention center entrance on South College Street.

Shuttle service will also be provided for hotels that are three blocks or more from the Charlotte Convention Center, according to the NCAAP website.

Will any roads be closed for the NAACP convention?

No, City of Charlotte Media Relations Manager Lawrence Corley told The Charlotte Observer in an email.

What to do during the NAACP convention

Events planned for the NAACP convention include a health summit on Friday, where attendees can learn how to prioritize mental health in a high-stress world, an empowerment brunch to celebrate Black women in law on Sunday and a panel on defending democracy and civil rights in a volatile political climate Monday.

If you want to unwind, you can head to The Hub, a free area open to the public that will feature a career summit and college fair, block party with live music, product activations from Black-owned businesses and cultural programming.

There will be a young professionals networking event from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday at an off-site location. Workshops will also be available for youth and college students, on topics like education, health care and community activism.

What to eat during the NAACP convention

There are no shortage of places to eat in uptown Charlotte, both near to the convention center and a short walk or drive away. Here are a few resources for you to check out:

• 13 best restaurants in uptown Charlotte, from elevated spots to tried & true favorites

• 115+ Black-owned restaurants, food trucks in Charlotte to tempt your taste buds

• Cajun, Southern flavors on the menu at Charlotte’s Freshwaters restaurant.

• Fried chicken, cornbread and cake — what brings you back to this Charlotte restaurant.

• 30 years later, the menu at Sub One Hoagie House remains unchanged. What’s its secret?

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.