Baltimore is no longer the place it was once viewed as. It’s not the city that many outsiders romanticized through the lens of “The Wire” for the last 25 years. And Baltimore is not merely hosting the CIAA Tournament—it’s co-writing the story. Through intentional leadership, cultural alignment, and economic strategy, Mayor Brandon Scott has helped position Charm City as a safe haven, literally and figuratively, to celebrate HBCU excellence.
A Strategic Symbiosis: CIAA and Baltimore’s Mutual Rise
Since the CIAA Tournament moved to Baltimore in 2021, the connection has grown stronger. The event has become more than a week of basketball—it’s a celebration of Black achievement.
From 2022 to 2025, the CIAA generated $109 million in total economic impact for Baltimore. It also brought $4.8 million to Black-owned businesses and $9.9 million in state and local taxes.
The 2025 tournament alone delivered $27.4 million to the local economy. It created nearly 1,500 jobs and generated $2.4 million in taxes.
Public Safety Gains Add to the Mayor’s Legacy
Mayor Scott’s leadership extends beyond major events. He is guiding Baltimore through one of its most significant public safety turnarounds in decades…