COVID continued to leave its mark on our society in 2021, including the workings of City government. But the year brought with it some wins too, including the completion of the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project. The Reparations Initiative got its start. And a City employee earned a national hero award. It wasn’t all easy. Governing [...]
In response to residents requests, the City of Asheville is extending the deadline to apply to be a member of the Community Reparations Commission until January 15. The opportunity to serve is available to all residents of Asheville and Buncombe County and can be found online. ONLINE FORMS: Neighborhood Candidate Interest Form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M6CG2MH Impact Focus Area [...]
The City of Asheville invites you to be part of its Reparations initiative! Applications are open for the Community Reparations Commission through December 22. Find more information at https://www.ashevillenc.gov/reparations. There is also one more information session coming up on December 15. Find information about it at this link. Come on, Asheville! Be part [...]
Interim Director of Equity and Inclusion Brenda Mills, and Interim Director of Community and Economic Development, Nikki Reid, have both been promoted to permanent director for their respective departments. After a national search, Asheville City Manager Debra Campbell found the talent and the passion for public service she sought to fill two important director positions within [...]
The City of Asheville Reparations Initiative is seeking nominations and applications for the Community Reparations Commission. Applications opened on November 19 with nominations and applications to be accepted through December 22. The Community Reparations Commission is charged with coming up with recommendations to City Council to repair the harm done by decades of racial discrimination and [...]
During the October 12 City Council meeting, Debra Clark Jones, President of TEQuity, the selected project management firm, outlined next steps in the City of Asheville’s Reparations initiative. Information was shared during the City Manager’s Report to Council. Debra Clark Jones During their September 14 meeting, City Council voted to authorize the City Manager to hire
Asheville City Manager Debra Campbell has appointed veteran City employee Brenda Mills as Interim Equity and Inclusion Director as the City continues its search for a permanent director. In her new role, Mills’ first priority will be to fill all Equity and Inclusion positions and focus on building a cohesive team to strengthen the solid foundation [...]
At their April 27 meeting, Asheville City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance prohibiting discriminatory practices which prohibits discrimination in employment and public accommodations within the City of Asheville based on upon any of the following: race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin [...]
On July 14, 2020, Asheville City Council passed a Resolution Supporting Community Reparations for Black Asheville. The resolution calls for the City Manager to, “establish a process within the next year to develop short, medium and long term recommendations to specifically address the creation of generational wealth and to boost economic mobility [...]
The Information Sharing and Truth Telling Speaker Series is the first phase of the City of Asheville’s process to deliver community reparations for Black Asheville. The series will include local and national speakers who share information about past policies, present trends and disparities, and future initiatives. The community will have opportunities to participate. Please join [...]
Three years after the inception of the City’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, an internal assessment looks at the work conducted by the department and opportunities for improvement. At their March 9 meeting, Internal Auditor Patricia Rosenberg presented the Equity and Inclusion Assessment findings to Asheville City Council. The assessment began as a request from Black [...]
Work sessions scheduled It’s budget season for the City of Asheville. From March through June, City Council will work with City staff to review budget options, aligning Council and community priorities with available funding. The City’s operating budget must be passed by July 1. The discussions leading up to the final budget happen during budget work sessions, meetings [...]
The City of Asheville is pleased to announce the recipients of Asheville racial healing mini-grants. This is the second year funding has been made available. The City received 29 applications and selected nine. The mini-grants represent a total community investment of $40,000. The following organizations will receive funding: Operation Gateway (Collaborative project: Workforce Development/YMI Cultural Center and [...]
Asheville residents can look upon the new year with optimism. Together, we’ve weathered a pandemic and a vaccine will be available this year. Even so, the City of Asheville’s response to COVID-19 will continue in the new year, in coordination with the state of North Carolina and Buncombe County. Residents can look forward to advances in [...]
From the start, City Manager Debra Campbell said Asheville’s 30/60/90 Day Plan was only the beginning and would serve as a foundation for a more holistic approach to incorporating racial equity into City operations. At the Dec. 8 City Council meeting, she unveiled the next step and it is intended to be a step that [...]
The Office of Equity and Inclusion application for racial healing grants for local nonprofits are now available. This is the second year of funding, and like last year, the grant amount up to $4,999 aims to support existing projects in Asheville that promote racial healing, reconciliation, and/or transformation in Asheville communities. The [...]
By Nia Davis Asheville Office of Equity and Inclusion Did you know November is Native American Heritage Month? Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the diverse cultures and traditions of Native people. As we spend everyday on stolen land, let’s reflect on the importance of uplifting [...]