Author: Ami W

Ami Worthen is a writer, collaborator, and musician following the call of collective liberation.
action

Ujamaa Freedom Market Kick-Off This Thursday

Ami W

The Ujamaa Freedom Market will hold a kick-off party this Thursday, May 15 at 9 pm at The Millroom, 66 Asheland Ave. Admission is $10 at the door. Performers include DJ Anne-Marie on the 1’s & 2’s, Santos, Juan Holiday & Big Dave of Out the Gutta Ent. The event will help support the organization’s mission to “to promote social, economic, environmental, and food justice by serving as a model for self-sufficiency while inspiring healthy relationships with food in order to strengthen the quality of life, health and well being of the community.” Click here to read an article about … Continue reading Ujamaa Freedom Market Kick-Off This Thursday

action

Minority Medical Mentoring Program

Ami W

The Minority Medical Mentoring Program HOPE Banquet will be held on Thursday, May 22 from 6 to 8 pm at Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC), Blue Ridge Room, 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC. Tickets are $50 each and go to support the Minority Medical Mentoring Program. Click here to reserve your tickets. The Minority Medical Mentoring Program allows high school seniors to shadow medical providers as student interns. Why is this program so important? Here is some background information from the event invite: There are 974 physicians actively practicing medicine in Buncombe County; only two percent (2%) are underrepresented … Continue reading Minority Medical Mentoring Program

action

WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition

Ami W

The cover story of this week’s Mountain Xpress, “Hidden in Plain View,” is about the WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition (WNC DEC), and the work they are undertaking to promote racial equity in Asheville. If you are interested, the article is well worth reading. The WNC DEC is comprised of representatives of six of the area’s anchor institutions: Buncombe County, Asheville City, Mission Hospital, UNC Asheville, AB Tech and MAHEC, in addition to other concerned community members. The purpose of the group is to address the economic disparities that exist between whites and people of color in our community. (The Xpress … Continue reading WNC Diversity Engagement Coalition

action

Upcoming Equity-Related Events

Ami W

There are a few events coming up over the next week that I’d like to highlight: Thursday, April 24 at 6 pm – Hood Talk at the Burton St. Center Saturday, April 26 at 7 pm – Date My City Professional Mixer at Club Eleven Monday, April 28 – Stand Against Racism event at AB Tech, 8 am (see flyer below). You can find out more in this recent article in the Asheville Citizen-Times about the Stand. Continue reading Upcoming Equity-Related Events

action

YWCA Stand Against Racism

Ami W

The YWCA of Asheville Stand Against Racism is underway, with events happening this month and into May. The Stand Against Racism is a nationwide YWCA campaign to raise awareness that racism still exists and that it will no longer be ignored or tolerated. There is still time to sign up to participate. Go to ywcastand.org for more info, a calendar of events and to sign up. You can email angel.redmond@ywcaofasheville.org with questions. Continue reading YWCA Stand Against Racism

action

Knowledge is Power

Ami W

Here is a story I wrote for this week’s Mountain Xpress. Please note that the workshop and job fair had to be postponed at the last minute, but the Professional Mixer is on for this Saturday. Working Relationships It might not surprise Vernon White II’s former teachers and classmates at T.C. Roberson High that this two-time MVP, who was awarded a full basketball scholarship to N.C. A&T State University, is once again tackling a challenge with his trademark persistence, energy and enthusiasm. With a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and a new position at Eaton Corp., White could have chosen … Continue reading Knowledge is Power

action

Important Conversations at the Burton Street Community Center

Ami W

I received this announcement from InterActivism (photo from Spirit House): Hood Talk is a series of cultural organizing events rooted in addressing the issues and concerns communities of color face in Asheville.  All events are FREE with childcare provided. Join us is growing this movement and helping people help themselves and affirm their voices. Upcoming events at the Burton Street Community Center, 134 Burton St.: “The House I Live In” film showing Discussion on the War on Drugs and the Prison Industrial Complex Friday, March 14th 5-7:30PM Spirit House (from Durham) Workshop Training and cultural organizing for communities on police violence and … Continue reading Important Conversations at the Burton Street Community Center

action

Hood Talk This Thursday

Ami W

The first in a series of “Hood Talk” events happens this week. The focus of the series is to raise awareness of the challenges faced in African American neighborhoods and in public housing communities in Asheville, which are predominantly African American. The conversations will also address solutions to these challenges. From the organizers: Developing positive energy to restore greater communication and strength throughout our community in Asheville, from the North, South, East, and West. Come join us at the Burton St Community Center this Thursday 2.27.14 from 6 to 8 pm as we hear from caring folks from several neighborhoods … Continue reading Hood Talk This Thursday

action

South Asheville Cemetery Events

Ami W

Here are flyers for two events this week related to the South Asheville Cemetery – a history presentation and a work day.  “For nearly 100 years — from the 1840s until it was closed in the mid-1940s — South Asheville Cemetery was the primary place of burial for African-Americans in the city. No one really knows how many people are buried there; estimates run from about 1,500 to as many as 5,000 graves.” (Mountain Xpress, If Stones Could Talk, 1998). Continue reading South Asheville Cemetery Events