2026 represents 500 years of African Americans fighting for their freedom in the U.S.; 2026 is the same year the U.S. is celebrating 250 years of independence. This makes now a special moment to celebrate communities' continued demonstration of resilience despite ongoing threats. We started the Rooted in Resilience series to catalyze community hubs that invest in the long-term resilience necessary to thrive.
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, 100 Black residents of Asheville, North Carolina and their supports from other parts of the country convened to collaborate on the future at Rooted in Resilience: Building Black Health, Wealth, and Legacy in Asheville.
Second in the Series · Washington, D.C.
On October 1, 2026, Community Hub leaders from Chicago; St. Louis; Amory and Monroe County, Mississippi; Lumberton and Robeson County, North Carolina; and Asheville, North Carolina met for a working session. That afternoon, Next Leadership Development and the Center for Community Uplift at Brookings co-hosted a public forum: Community-led resilience: Improving disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for Black people and places.
Stories, invitations, and ways to act for health, wealth, and cultural resilience in Black communities, in Boston and across the country.
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