Reparations Commission – June 16, 2025

Reparations Commission Meeting Recap – June 16, 2025

The Reparations Commission convened on June 16, 2025, continuing its work toward developing recommendations for addressing historical injustices within Asheville-Buncombe County. The meeting focused primarily on progressing key initiatives related to community engagement, legal considerations for establishing a non-profit organization, and finalizing the Commission’s comprehensive report. Attendance included all commission members, representatives from the Carter Group (the firm drafting the final report), and Brad, a legal advisor providing guidance on relevant civil rights laws.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates from the 501(c)(3) Committee, which is working diligently to establish a non-profit organization tentatively named "40 Acres in the Land of the Sky Alliance Community Development Corporation (CDC)." The committee presented a proposed mission statement centered on revitalizing Asheville-Buncombe County communities through economic opportunity, affordable housing, improved education and health outcomes, and addressing harm within the criminal justice system. A brief discussion ensued regarding whether to explicitly name "Black residents" in the mission statement, weighing inclusivity against potential legal implications. The Community Engagement Committee reported on their efforts to develop a proposal for recommendations to the City Council and County Board of Commissioners, focusing on actionable steps across immediate, short-term, and long-term timelines. A key point of discussion involved potentially linking the Reparations Commission's accountability efforts with the newly formed 501(c)(3) organization.

Legal advice was provided by Brad, the city/county legal representative, who emphasized the importance of adhering to civil rights laws and avoiding any limitations on contracts based solely on race when establishing a non-profit or implementing reparations initiatives. Commission member Dee Williams reinforced this point, stressing the need for data-driven decision-making to ensure recommendations are legally sound and minimize potential challenges. While discussions were robust, no formal votes on specific policies or funding allocations occurred during the meeting.

There was no direct public comment received at this meeting, however, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to incorporating community feedback into their recommendations. The focus remains on utilizing data-driven approaches to address the needs of economically disadvantaged residents throughout the county. Commission member Dwayne McAfee passionately reiterated the importance of addressing injustice and pursuing direct action to achieve meaningful change.

Looking ahead, several key action items were identified. Commission members are asked to review and provide feedback on the proposed mission statement for the 501(c)(3) by Friday. Interested members are also encouraged to indicate their desire to serve on the board of this organization by the same deadline. The Community Engagement Committee will re-engage with various "Impact Focus Areas" (IFAs) to explore immediate implementation steps. The Commission will also review the draft final report from the Carter Group, and move forward with formally establishing a North Carolina non-profit entity and obtaining a tax ID number. Finally, Salah will coordinate meetings between the Commission and the Community Engagement Committee to discuss IFAs further. The Commission members were also encouraged to share information about Juneteenth events happening in the community. These ongoing efforts represent a significant step toward addressing historical inequities and building a more equitable future for Asheville-Buncombe County.