African American Heritage Commission Last updated or reviewed on December 2, 2025 NOTICE: The regular meetings of the African American Heritage Committee will remain meeting as needed until June 30, 2027, unless noticed otherwise. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. Special meetings may occur if a board needs to meet regarding Helene-related or pressing matters. Members of boards that are meeting on an as-needed basis have the following pathways to propose new tasks that have not been directed by City Council: Ask their board’s representative on the Helene Recovery Boards to present the idea to their respective Recovery Board. Communicate the idea to a Council Committee. Communicate the idea to City Council. Ask their board chair to present the idea to the department director who provides support to their board (e.g., Urban Forestry Master Plan, Arts & Culture Plan, Home Repair, Resilience Hubs, etc.). The Commission is to advise the City Council and County Commissioners about the preservation, interpretation, and promotion of African-American arts, history, and culture. Regular Scheduled Meetings The African American Heritage Commission meets every other month on the second Thursday of each month at 4:30 p.m., virtually unless otherwise noted. Pre-recorded voicemail comments can be provided by calling (855) 925-2801 Enter Code 9409. Written public comments can be sent by email – AAHCAVL@PublicInput.com. All public comments will be sent to the committee prior to the meeting. Have an issue with participating in a board or commission meeting, in person or virtually? Use this form to let us know! Members The City-County African American Heritage Commission consists of nine members. Three of those members are appointed by the Asheville City Council, three are appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and three are appointed by the six appointed members. In appointing members to the Commission, the following criteria will be considered essential: Affiliations with significant African American institutions in Asheville and Buncombe County Diversity within the members by age range, affiliations(local, regional, national), Professional expertise, and area of town or county where they reside Willingness to be an active participant in meetings, expending an estimated three hours or more a month in Commission business The term of office is three years. Members shall not serve more than six consecutive years, although members may be reappointed after being off the commission for one year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all members shall serve at the pleasure of Council, and may be removed at any time with or without cause. Member contact: Aaron Griffin (Chair) Michael Hayes (Vice-Chair) For current openings and applications, visit: Asheville Boards and Commission page. The AAHC currently has vacancies. View current members and board composition requirements here Agendas and Documents Agenda Documents Recording August 8, 2024 Agenda – CANCELLED August 8, 2024 Documents August 8, 2024 Recording July 13, 2024 Agenda (Special Meeting – Retreat) July 13, 2024 Documents This meeting will not be recorded. June 13, 2024 Agenda June 13, 2024 Documents June 13, 2024 Recording April 18, 2024 Agenda (Special Meeting) April 18, 2024 Documents April 18, 2024 Recording April 11, 2024 Agenda April 11, 2024 Documents April 11, 2024 Recording January 11, 2024 Agenda January 11, 2024 Documents January 11, 2024 Recording December 14, 2023 December 14, 2023 Documents December 14, 2023 Recording October 12, 2023 CANCELED October 12, 2023 Documents October 12, 2023 Recording July 13, 2023 Agenda July 13, 2023 Documents July 13, 2023 Recording May 11, 2023 Agenda May 11, 2023 Documents May 11, 2023 Recording April 13, 2023 Agenda April 13, 2023 Documents April 13, 2023 Recording March 9, 2023 Agenda March 9, 2023 Documents March 9, 2023 Recording February 9, 2023 Agenda February 9, 2023 Documents February 9, 2023 Recording January 12, 2023 Agenda January 12, 2023 Documents January 12, 2023 Recording December 8, 2022 Agenda December 8, 2022 Documents December 8, 2022 Recording November 10, 2022 Agenda November 10, 2022 Documents November 10, 2022 Recording October 13, 2022 Agenda October 13, 2022 Documents October 13, 2022 Recording September 8, 2022 Agenda September 8, 2022 Documents September 8, 2022 Recording August 11, 2022 Agenda August 11, 2022 Documents August 11, 2022 Recording July 14, 2022 Agenda – Canceled July 14, 2022 Documents June 9, 2022 Agenda – Canceled due to a lack of quorum. June 9, 2022 Documents June 9, 2022 Recording May 21, 2022 Planning Meeting Agenda May 21, 2022 Documents No Recording – Meeting In Person April 14, 2022 Agenda April 14, 2022 Documents April 14, 2022 Recording March 10, 2022 Agenda March 10, 2022 Documents March 10, 2022 Recording February 10, 2022 Agenda February 10, 2022 Documents February 10, 2022 Recording January 13, 2022 Agenda January 13, 2022 Documents January 13, 2022 Recording December 9, 2021 – CANCELLED November 10, 2021 Agenda November 10, 2021 Documents November 10, 2021 Recording October 14, 2021 Agenda October 14, 2021 Documents October 14, 2021 Recording September 9, 2021 Agenda September 9, 2021 Documents September 9, 2021 Recording August 12, 2021 Agenda August 12, 2021 Documents – None July 8, 2021 Agenda July 8, 2021 Documents June 17, 2021, Agenda – meeting CANCELLED June 17, 2021 Documents May 13, 2021 Agenda April 8, 2021 Agenda April 8, 2021 Documents March 11, 2021 Agenda March 11, 2021 Documents November 20, 2020 Agenda November 20, 2020 Documents July 9, 2020 Agenda July 9, 2020 Documents March 12, 2020 Agenda March 12, 2020 Documents February 13, 2020 Agenda February 13, 2020 Documents January 9, 2020 Agenda January 9, 2020 Documents November 14, 2019 Agenda November 14, 2019 Documents October 10, 2019 Agenda October 10, 2019 Documents Sala Menaya-Merritt, MSLM Human Relations, Anti-Discrimination and Compliance Director, Staff Liaison (City of Asheville) Email: smenaya-merritt@ashevillenc.gov | Contact: (828) 232-4517 Office Nnweyna Smith, Human Affairs Coordinator, Staff Liaison (Buncombe County) Email: Nnweyna.Smith@buncombenc.gov | Contact: (828) 785-2595Office
