Update: This convening took place on May 16, 2026. Read what happened when the women of Asheville gathered at the YMI.
In the aftermath of disaster, communities are often defined by what they’ve lost.
But in Asheville, something different has been taking root.
Since the devastation of Hurricane Helene, a group of women leaders have been coming together—consistently, intentionally, and with care. What began as a space for healing and information sharing has grown into something deeper: a movement grounded in resilience, connection, and collective vision.
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, that movement will come to life through a community convening titled:
Rooted in Resilience: Building Health, Wealth, and Black Legacy in Asheville
Held at the historic YMI Cultural Center, this gathering is more than an event; it is a reflection of what happens when community leads.
A Community-Led Response to Crisis
Following Hurricane Helene, many communities were left navigating not only physical damage but also emotional, financial, and systemic challenges. For Asheville’s Black community, these impacts were layered onto existing inequities.
Rather than waiting for solutions, local leaders stepped forward.
Through ongoing meetings hosted by the Asheville Women’s Support Group, community members created space to:
Process trauma and support one another
Share critical information and resources
Reimagine what recovery and long-term flourishing could look like
This convening represents the next step in that journey.
Centering Health, Wealth, and Cultural Preservation
The event will focus on three interconnected pillars essential to long-term resilience:
Health
Exploring mental, physical, and community wellness, especially in the wake of disaster and ongoing stressors.
Wealth
Highlighting pathways to economic stability, entrepreneurship, and community investment.
Historical & Cultural Preservation
Honoring and protecting the legacy, identity, and history that anchor Black communities—especially in spaces experiencing rapid change.
Through panel discussions and community dialogue, attendees will hear directly from local leaders who are doing this work every day.
Honoring Place: The YMI Cultural Center
Hosting this convening at the YMI Cultural Center carries deep significance.
As the oldest African American cultural center in the United States, YMI stands as a living symbol of Black history, resilience, and cultural expression in Asheville. Holding this gathering within its walls connects past, present, and future, grounding the event in legacy while looking ahead to what is possible.
Local Leadership, National Connection
This convening reflects the strength of local leadership while also connecting to a broader network of support.
The event is presented in collaboration with:
Asheville Women’s Support Group
National leaders in disaster resilience, including Dr. Atyia Martin and Dr. Annelle Primm, will join alongside Asheville-based leaders and practitioners to support a culturally grounded approach to recovery and resilience.
Special video remarks from Dr. Andre M. Perry, a nationally recognized expert on race and economic mobility, will further deepen the conversation around wealth and long-term community investment.
More Than a Conversation—A Space for Connection
In addition to panel discussions, the event will feature:
Local vendors and resource tables
Opportunities for networking and collaboration
Community-centered engagement and support
Music and moments for reflection
This is a space where information meets action and where relationships can continue to grow beyond the day itself.
A Collective Invitation
Rooted in Resilience is an invitation.
An invitation to come together.
To listen.
To share.
To build.
It is a reminder that while disasters may disrupt, they do not define us. What defines us is how we respond and how we choose to move forward together.
Join Us
📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026
⏰ 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 YMI Cultural Center, Asheville, NC
This event is FREE and open to the community, made possible through the support of the American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
Register here: https://nldc.io/asheville
Resilience is not just about recovery.
It’s about restoration, reimagining, and reclaiming.
And in Asheville, that work is already underway.