Equitable and Diverse Community Archives

Equitable and Diverse Community

A Council Vision Focus Area

Asheville is an inclusive, diverse community. We define diversity broadly, including but not limited to all races, ages, sexual orientations, gender identification, socio-economic backgrounds, and cultural beliefs. We have created an equitable community where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfill their potential because they have access to healthy, affordable food, transportation, quality education, and living wage jobs. Asheville promotes and supports minority business as a means of strengthening our local economy. We use a racial equity lens to review and achieve our city’s strategic goals in health, education, housing, and economic mobility.

Note: Asheville operates on a fiscal year (FY) basis that runs from July 1 through June 30, with the fiscal year designated by the year in which it ends. For example, FY25 begins on July 1, 2024 and ends on June 30, 2025.

Work Supporting Equitable and Diverse Community

FY24

(July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)

Strategic Partnership Fund Program Revision (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Implement immediate operational improvements to reduce barriers to participation and build a foundation for continuous improvement of program impact on the opportunity gap for low- and moderate-income youth enrolled in Asheville City Schools.
New Equity Action Plan (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Using tools from the Government Alliance on Racial Equity, develop equity actions plans for each department and for the City as a whole to ensure that equity is incorporated into all City policies, procedures, and practices, leading to more equitable service delivery.
Pack Square Plaza Vision (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Collaborate with the community to develop an inclusive high-level concept of the Pack Square Plaza space and next-steps recommendations.
Finalize Reparations Commission Recommendations (In Progress)(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Support the work of the Reparations Commission to develop clear recommendations on actions to repair harm done by public and private systemic racism to the Black community in Asheville, including strategies to create generational wealth and boost economic mobility.
Disposition of City Owned Land Postponed(Began in FY24, due to complete in FY24) Develop redevelopment strategies for City-owned properties to ensure their redevelopment meets community needs and aligns with City Council strategic goals.
Audit and Recommendations to Cease Further Harm (Complete)(Began in FY24, Completed in FY24) Implement an audit of City policies and practices that harm the local Black community as recommended by the Community Reparations Commission.

FY23

(July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)

Strategic Partnership Fund Program Revision (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Implement immediate operational improvements to reduce barriers to participation and build a foundation for continuous improvement of program impact on the opportunity gap for low- and moderate-income youth enrolled in Asheville City Schools.
New Equity Action Plan (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Using tools from the Government Alliance on Racial Equity, develop equity actions plans for each department and for the City as a whole to ensure that equity is incorporated into all City policies, procedures, and practices, leading to more equitable service delivery.
Pack Square Plaza Vision (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Collaborate with the community to develop an inclusive high-level concept of the Pack Square Plaza space and next-steps recommendations.
Approved Implementation of the“Stop the Harm” Audit Recommendation of the Community Reparations Commission (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY23) The City of Asheville approved implementation of the recommendation of the Community Reparations Commission, to collaborate with Buncombe County to engage an outside consultant to carry out an audit of policies and services to ensure that cessation of harm to the African American community has actually occurred and that the City of Asheville and Buncombe County are in compliance with federal and state laws, regulatory bodies, codes of conduct, court orders and consent decrees, etc. Buncombe County launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) in May 2023 and announced the selected firm in August 2023. Impact: Assessment of the County’s and City’s compliance, operation, and performance in ceasing harm directly impacting the African American community and a better understanding of possible on-going impacts of City and County services, policies, and programs to the Black community.
Finalize Reparations Commission Recommendations (In Progress)(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Support the work of the Reparations Commission to develop clear recommendations on actions to repair harm done by public and private systemic racism to the Black community in Asheville, including strategies to create generational wealth and boost economic mobility.

FY22

(July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022)

Reparations Process Initiation Complete(Began in FY22, Completed in FY22) Installed a Community Reparations Commission and engaged a project manager to support its work across five focus areas: Criminal Justice, Economic Development, Education, Health & Wellness, and Housing. Established a Reparations Fund with an initial investment of $2.1 million and an annual $500,000 allocation that will grow by 5%.