The first portion of the $3 million Mellon Foundation grant has been allocated to support the “Boosting the Block” Project in Asheville. This initiative aims to enhance Asheville’s historic Black business district and cultural hub, known as The Block. The project includes constructing a gateway and cultural corridor, empowering neighborhood anchors, improving public spaces, and establishing neighborhood identity and marketing. A community facilitator from Illumined Leadership Solutions and BennettWeston Consulting, both Black-owned firms, will oversee project management. Other contracted opportunities include a local community coordinator, creative strategist/consulting artist, and marketing/promotion/advertising services. The Mellon Foundation’s funding also supports the Pack Square Plaza Vision Plan and partnerships to broaden community storytelling and historical education efforts. Read more from the City.
Kudzu Brands has announced the finalists for their 2024 $10K Brand Giveaway: Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, Katherine Alexander Fine Jewelry, Silver Moon Custom Art & Photography, Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center, Western Carolina Medical Society, and WNC GEMS. Community members are encouraged to vote daily for their favorite minority-owned business or non-profit until June 14. Finalists must engage on social media to gather votes. The winner will receive a full branding package. With extensive experience, Kudzu Brands offers comprehensive brand and marketing services to foster memorable and sustainable growth for businesses and non-profits. Learn more & vote here!
Happenings:
Join the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains for an exciting evening on Thursday, June 6, at McCormick Field to cheer on the Asheville Tourists! Community members will meet in the Wicked Weed Pavilion, including affordable housing groups, non-profits, and citizens. Enjoy delicious food and drinks while engaging in meaningful conversations about housing in our community. Bring your employees, co-workers, and family for a night of fun and networking. Arrive at 5:30 pm to mingle before the game starts. Don’t miss this opportunity for community engagement and a great ball game. Grab your ticket ASAP!
Appalachian Mountain Community Health Centers (AMCHC), operating as Appalachian Mountain Health (AMH), will host its second Annual Health Fair on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event offers free back-to-school and sports physicals, health education, screenings for blood pressure and glucose, dental health education, and other services. Open to the public, AMH welcomes donations and table hosts from local businesses and community partners. As a federally qualified health center (FQHC), AMH aims to provide timely, comprehensive, and quality health services to vulnerable populations across Western North Carolina, integrating behavioral health into primary care. For inquiries and partnership opportunities, contact Treva Williams, Executive Assistant, via email at twilliams@amchc.org or phone at 828-202-5200.
Opening:
“Mamma Mia Café” is set to launch this Saturday, June 8, in downtown Asheville at 46 Haywood Street, suite 11, accessible via the Atrium area or Haywood Park Hotel entrance. The café extends an invitation to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce for a coffee tasting/sampling event on Friday, June 7, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The café’s initial operating hours will be Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm.
Partnership:
Two leading professional services firms, Mazars and FORVIS, have launched the Forvis Mazars global network. This unique collaboration aims to offer agility and comprehensive support to clients worldwide. Hervé Hélias chairs the Global Network Board, while Matt Snow serves as Vice Chair. Tom Watson remains CEO of Forvis Mazars, LLP in the US, with Mazars USA joining the network. This addition brings the total locations to over 80 and revenue to over $2 billion, with over 7,000 employees. Learn more.