Update: This convening took place on May 16, 2026. Read what happened when the women of Asheville gathered at the YMI.
We are honored to gather in Asheville, North Carolina for a powerful convening rooted in community, healing, and collective strength.
Rooted in Resilience: Building Black Health, Wealth & Legacy in Asheville is not just an event—it is a celebration of the resilience of the community following Hurricane Helene and a commitment to building forward together.
📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026
🕤 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 YMI Cultural Center
39 S Market St
Asheville, North Carolina
What This Convening Represents
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, communities across Asheville have demonstrated extraordinary strength, care, and leadership. This convening creates space to honor that resilience while also building pathways for long-term recovery and transformation.
Together, we will:
Celebrate the strength and leadership of the Asheville community
Connect national thought leaders with local heroes leading on the ground
Share resources and strategies for disaster and climate resilience
Strengthen partnerships that support long-term healing and growth
This is a space where lived experience meets expertise and where both are equally valued.
Grounded in Community, Guided by Purpose
The Black Resilience Network is built on the belief that resilience is not just about responding to disasters—it is about creating systems that allow communities to thrive every day.
Our work centers:
Health – Supporting holistic wellness before, during, and after disasters
Wealth – Strengthening economic pathways and access to resources
Culture – Preserving identity, history, and community connection
Through our Community Hubs approach, we support communities in becoming anchors of care, coordination, and long-term resilience.
Be Part of the Experience
We are intentionally co-creating this space with community—and there are multiple ways to participate.
Whether you plan to attend, partner, or serve as a vendor, we invite you to join us:
Register HERE (Attendees, Partners & Vendors)
✔ Attend the convening
✔ Express interest in partnership
✔ Apply to be a vendor and share your products/services
Your participation helps shape this experience and ensures it reflects the needs, strengths, and brilliance of the community.
🤝 Thank You to Our Partners
This convening is made possible through collaboration and shared commitment. We extend our gratitude to:
American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS)
All Healers Mental Health Alliance
Urban News / Urban News League
Additional partners will be announced soon.
Together, we are building something powerful.
Black communities often face compounded challenges before, during, and after disasters due to systemic inequities. The Black Resilience Network exists to catalyze leadership, collaboration, and investment so our communities can thrive in the face of these challenges.
Convenings like this ensure that recovery is not just reactive—but intentional, equitable, and community-led.
Join Us
We invite you to be part of this moment in Asheville, North Carolina.
A moment to reflect.
A moment to connect.
A moment to build what comes next—together.
Because when we are rooted in community, culture, and purpose…
we don’t just recover, we rise.