HBCU MLK Day Unity Invitational brings basketball and much more

Chris Worthy
·3 min read
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Dreamchasers is about more than basketball and the HBCU MLK Day Unity Invitational is far more than what happens on the court, though that part aims to be fun and memorable.

The invitational is multi-day program Jan. 12 – 15 that commemorates the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while showcasing basketball teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and fostering unity and fellowship. Many of the events take place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, including games with primarily South Carolina and North Carolina HBCUs: Claflin University, Clinton College, Fayetteville State University and Johnson C. Smith University, among others. The event also includes MLK Day Worship at the Well, as well as a high school basketball game and step fest on Jan. 14.

“Basketball is hopefully the highlight of the weekend, but I wanted to make it make it more of a significance for the community,” Calvin Ivery, founder of the nonprofit Dreamchasers Basketball Club, said. Dreamchasers is producing the event with support from Bon Secours Wellness Arena and Visit Greenville SC.

The weekend has a full slate of events, including The Legacy Breakfast at Unity Park (Jan. 12), which Ivery said honors and celebrates those who are encouraging young people.

“I wanted to honor those individuals that said things to me when I was coming up as a young man in the Nicholtown and Fieldcrest community where I grew up,” he said. “The individuals that I'm honoring at the legacy breakfast, they all played a major part in that.”

Ivery visited several HBCUs last year, and students told him they needed more opportunities coming out of college. Those conversations resulted in the Career and Collegiate Expo that will provide students and recent graduates with the opportunity to connect with representatives from many of the region’s top businesses.

Sunday brings a united, inclusive worship service to the community, followed by a parade on Monday.

“We have close to 3,000 people committed for the Worship at The Well service on Sunday morning,” Ivery said. “And then the most exciting thing I believe is going to be Monday on MLK’s birthday. I wanted to recreate the March on Washington, so we're having a parade – a March to The Well with city officials and county officials. We're going to be marching to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena to kick off the games on Monday.”

The HBCU MLK Day Unity Invitational will showcase high-level HBCU basketball, offer career opportunities, networking and fellowship.

Ticketed events include the collegiate basketball invitational as well as the high school basketball showcase and step fest. Free events include a Unity Worship Service at The Well (Jan. 14), the Career and Collegiate Expo, and the MLK Day March.

For tickets and details:

Scheduled events:

*All events listed to occur at Bon Secours Wellness Arena unless otherwise noted. Full schedule is online.

Friday, Jan. 12:

  • The Legacy Breakfast at Unity Park hosted by WYFF

  • Unity Career Expo

Saturday, Jan. 13:

  • Four HBCU Basketball Games

Sunday, Jan. 14

  • MLK Day Worship at The Well

  • High School Basketball Matchup and Stepfest

Monday, Jan. 15

  • March to The Well Parade beginning at City Hall

  • Four HBCU Basketball Games

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: HBCU MLK Day Unity Invitational brings basketball and much more