Does anyone have memories or photos of some of these businesses? Maybe only readers of a certain ‘vintage’ might. Thanks to Mr. Jesse Ray, Jr. for sharing this list with me, it was something his father kept.
We practice Saturdays, 1-3pm at 37 E. Larchmont Rd, off Merrimon Ave. We are Youth At Jazz, Inc. and welcome all visitors. Come check us out. Bring a youth with you. We will introduce our program. http://www.youthatjazz.org
African American clubs in Asheville, NC
The date of this list is unknown, but what an amazing piece of history! Asheville has long had a rich network of formal and informal social groups among the African American community. Only a few of these groups still exist, but there are many new groups, church families, neighborhood groups, intergenerational family ties, and now online groups to add to the networks of connection in Asheville’s African American community.
As with any other large group of people, they represent a wide range of opinions, points of view, political thoughts and life experiences that make for a diverse, multi-dimensional community.
In Asheville’s segregated past, most black-owned businesses were concentrated in small neighborhoods, where interdependence, close kin and long community relationships built a ready, steady supply of business and money circulated for a long time within the neighborhood. Desegregation and later the destruction of some parts of those neighborhoods in “urban renewal” broke the bonds between the people and their local businesses. For all the progress and increased potential desegregation brought, it came at a price in the loss of tight-knit neighborhoods that supported local livelihoods. Over the years Asheville’s African American people have been proud of their business accomplishments, and keeping a display like this (which looks like a collection cut out of a phone book or some other directory) was a way of celebrating them. The spirit of entrepreneurship is still going strong in Asheville, and can only get stronger with the vital support of the black community!
Flyin’ West by Pearl Cleage
November 23 & December 6, 8
In this drama, four African American women escape their pasts as former slaves by moving to the harsh western plains. There they face bitter winters, trials of bigotry, domestic
abuse, and the controversy of interracial marriage.
November 22, 24, and December 7
Set on a college campus, Spinning Into Butter reveals the truth about institutional racism, and the stilted reaction to it. The play exposes the political “correctness” of authoritative figures who claim to be pro-minority but manage to ignore the elephant in the room.
This site was formed to support connectivity between members of Asheville’s African American Community and to support our locally owned businesses, professionals and community happenings. The site includes activities and events, and a directory of Black-owned businesses, professionals, service providers and clubs. In addition, we have articles about Asheville’s African American history, and links to other sites that document and celebrate our past.
We have a Facebook Group to encourage communication and sharing as well. Join us!
Sasha Mitchell, Editor
