CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Grammy-nominated rapper and Charlotte native DaBaby is calling on local officials and leaders to have a “serious conversation” about current issues surrounding police brutality and racism.
The “Black Lives BEEN Mattered” discussion is set to take place outside of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, which is also Juneteenth, from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. The rain location for the event will be the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture in Uptown.
Sheriff Garry McFadden, Charlotte City Councilman Braxton Winston, former Carolina Panther Thomas Davis, and others are expected to talk about a number of issues including police reform, systemic racism, and the Black Lives Matter movement in the state, according to Billion Dollar Baby Entertainment organizers.
“I had my own experiences with the police. It’s time to have a serious conversation about police reform and systemic racism in our city,” DaBaby said. “Black lives been mattered and will always matter.”
DaBaby, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, had an issue with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department after performing in his home city and donating gifts during the holidays last year. He was handcuffed and taken to the police department after officers searched his car and found less than a half-ounce (14 grams) of marijuana.
Officers said they issued him citations instead of making an arrest. DaBaby said he believes officers unlawfully searched his car that night while performing.
The rapper says he believes officers target him when he comes to Charlotte.