African American Heritage Commission – April 11, 2024

African American Heritage Commission Meeting Recap – April 11, 2024

The Asheville City County African American Heritage Commission held a virtual meeting on April 11, 2024, focusing on strengthening the commission's impact within the Black community and planning for upcoming events. The meeting, open to public listening via phone stream, centered on reviewing current initiatives, identifying areas for improvement, and outlining future engagement strategies. This recap provides a clear overview of the key discussions, decisions, and next steps for residents interested in learning more about the commission’s work.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a discussion regarding the Commission's purpose and how it can best serve the Black community. Commissioners acknowledged a need to revisit and potentially redefine the commission’s charge, ensuring it aligns with current community priorities. A recurring theme throughout the discussion was a desire for increased visibility and proactive engagement, with members emphasizing the importance of actively participating in community events like Downtown After Five and supporting initiatives such as the upcoming Black Chamber of Commerce. Concerns were also raised about engaging younger members of the community, prompting a discussion on creating opportunities for Black youth.

Several key decisions were made during the meeting. The minutes from the January 11, 2024, meeting were formally approved via roll call vote. Recognizing the need for immediate action on branding and engagement strategies, a special called meeting was scheduled for Thursday, April 18th from 3:30-5 p.m. This meeting will specifically address branding/marketing, engagement roles for upcoming events (particularly the April 27th event), and a comprehensive list of future events. The commission also acknowledged that Alfred Green’s appointment is pending approval from the City Council.

While there were no direct public comments during the meeting, members actively encouraged community participation through the city's engagement hub and provided information on how residents can get involved. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts related to the African American Heritage Trail and plans for a Black Heritage Museum at Stevens Lee, with Ms. Merritt seeking potential partners to support these initiatives. Leonard Jones from Buncombe County also shared details about the upcoming "One Book, One Buncombe" event featuring author Brandon Sokol and his book, “The Violin Conspiracy,” encouraging residents to pick up free copies at local libraries.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified for commission members and staff. Ms. Merritt and Chair Griffin will collaborate on drafting a revised charge for the commission, potentially involving legal review to ensure clarity and alignment with current needs. Tiffany Debelow will compile a list of upcoming events for the commission’s review, while discussions are underway to form an engagement committee focused on specific initiatives. Finally, the commission will explore branding and marketing options, including potentially developing a logo or uniform attire. The overall focus moving forward is on creating more opportunities to engage with and support Black youth within the community.

This meeting demonstrated a clear commitment from the African American Heritage Commission to enhance its role in preserving, interpreting, and promoting African American arts, history, and culture within Asheville and Buncombe County. Residents can expect to see increased engagement from the commission in upcoming community events, as well as ongoing efforts to refine its purpose and better serve the needs of the Black community. The special called meeting on April 18th will provide further details on these initiatives and opportunities for community involvement.