The upcoming national tailgate of Black Women Love Football will take place in Charlotte from July 9 to 12, marking the organization’s third such gathering and bringing together thousands of members for a weekend that mixes sport, service and celebration.
A Vision Born from Loss
Susan Fox‑Monteiro founded the group after the 2020 deaths of her mother and son, turning personal tragedy into a space where Black women who love football could find community and purpose.
What began as a modest Facebook community of ten women in 2023 has swelled to a 40,000‑member nonprofit that now spans the country, offering mentorship, sisterhood and a platform for empowerment.
Tailgate as Service and Celebration
The Charlotte event blends on‑field activities with off‑field impact, featuring service projects such as hygiene‑kit distributions, empowerment workshops and a farewell cookout that brings members together in fellowship.
Flag‑football officiating certification will open the weekend, led by Natola Hawthorne, while breakout sessions cover fantasy football strategy, small‑business branding and responsible sports betting.
Charlotte as the Next Chapter
The city will host a community giveback at Gracious Living Adult Day & Health Care Center, continuing the group’s tradition of local outreach that began in Atlanta and Cleveland.
The weekend will close with a football clinic and a farewell cookout in a city park, offering participants a final chance to connect before the next regional stop.
Beyond the Game
Fox‑Monteiro, who retired from a career in human resources and later ran automotive and construction businesses with her sons, says that leading the nonprofit has reshaped her identity more than any corporate title.
Her son Joshua often reminded her to “keep moving, ma. keep moving,” a mantra that now guides the organization’s forward momentum.