African American Heritage Commission, Special Meeting – June 13, 2024

Recap of African American Heritage Commission Special Meeting – June 13, 2024

On June 13, 2024, the African American Heritage Commission held a special meeting via video conference to discuss key initiatives and plan for future activities. The meeting, open to the public and streamed live, was attended by all nine commission members representing Asheville City Council, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and existing commission appointments. Staff present included Salah Maniya Merritt (Director of Equity and Inclusion for the City of Asheville) and Leonard Jones (Community Engagement Specialist for Buncombe County).

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to strategic planning and identifying ways for the Commission to be a more visible and impactful presence in the community. Members unanimously approved the minutes from their previous meeting on April 18th, and warmly welcomed new Commissioner Alfred "Knowledge" Green, who shared his background in community health care and violence prevention, emphasizing his dedication to preserving African American heritage within Asheville.

Updates were provided on the ongoing work of the Reparations Commission, a related but separate entity. The Reparations Commission is scheduled to meet next on June 17th at the Civic Center, and a report writing team is currently developing their final recommendations. A key discussion point revolved around marketing and branding efforts for the African American Heritage Commission itself. While branded shirts were initially considered, it was clarified that city and county regulations restrict such purchases for boards and commissions. As a result, staff will investigate alternative options to identify commission members at community events, such as badges.

The Commission also prioritized planning a retreat for July 13th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Emoja. The retreat's agenda will focus on refining the Commission’s purpose statement, mission and values, strategic goals, and community engagement strategies. Potential topics include supporting events like Goombay and Black Love, and exploring the feasibility of a Black Culture Trail initiative. Staff will investigate whether city/county regulations allow for live-streaming the retreat.

Recognizing the importance of connecting residents with relevant community events, a discussion was held regarding the creation of a comprehensive community calendar. Tiffany Debelow and Salah Maniya Merritt are currently developing a draft, which will serve as a valuable resource for the African American community. Finally, commissioners discussed ways to actively support other local organizations and events, with a focus on showcasing or providing information about initiatives like Goombay, Peace and Unity Week, and Black Love.

What's Next?

The African American Heritage Commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting is August 8, 2024. In the meantime, residents can expect to see progress on several key action items:

• Badge Options: Staff will research and report back on options for identifying commission members at community events.
• Retreat Logistics: Staff will investigate the feasibility of live-streaming the July 13th retreat.
• Community Calendar: Tiffany Debelow and Salah Maniya Merritt will continue developing the draft community calendar.

This meeting highlighted the Commission's commitment to actively engaging with and supporting the African American community in Asheville, despite navigating limitations on spending and resources. The planned retreat promises to be a crucial step towards defining the Commission’s future direction and maximizing its impact.