Juneteenth Freedom Festival

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. The day was recognized as a federal holiday in 2021.

All County offices will be closed Friday, June 17 in observance of Juneteenth. “Pausing for the holiday will help raise awareness about the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States,” the county wrote in a statement. “Formally recognizing Juneteenth is also a major step in acknowledging diversity and inclusion gaps we are actively seeking to address. Equity is one of Buncombe County’s primary core values, and Buncombe County is honored to commemorate this important date in history.”

The Juneteenth of Asheville Freedom Festival will take place 11am to 10pm on  Saturday, June 18, at Pack Square in Downtown Asheville. There will be a parade, vendors, food trucks, art, music, live performances, and so much more. We encourage you all to come out and enjoy the celebration!

Participate in the #WEAAD615 Challenge!

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day -- June 15 --  caps the end of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, which runs each year from Mother's Day to Father's Day. Buncombe County Health and Human Services and community partners will host an in-person event on June 15th at Carrier Park. The event, which will run from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, will feature information about resources and services for older adults and caregivers. 

In addition to this fun event, you can join in on the #WEAAD615 challenge on your favorite social media platforms! Here is how to get in on the challenge: 

Post 6 facts about elder abuse, reply 1 thing you can do to prevent elder abuse, then tag 5 friends in your post. Don’t forget to use #WEAAD615! Here are some ready-to-use posts to get you started:

Choose 6 Facts About Elder Abuse:

• 1 in 10 Americans age 60+ have experienced #ElderAbuse.
• #ElderAbuse is underreported.
• For every 1 case of #ElderAbuse reported, 44 cases are not.
• 1 in 14 cases of #ElderAbuse come to the attention of authorities.
• Lack of #CommunitySupports increases risk of abuse.
• Isolation is a risk factor of #ElderAbuse.
• The costs of #ElderAbuse are high for the affected individuals and society alike.
• #ElderAbuse reduces older people’s participation in the life of our communities.
• Abuse creates healthcare and legal costs, which are often shouldered by public programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
• #ElderAbuse costs survivors billions of dollars each year.
• The annual loss by survivors of #FinancialAbuse is estimated to be  between $2.6 billion and $36.5 billion.
• #ElderAbuse is associated with increased rates of hospitalization in the community population.

Choose 1 Thing You Can Do:

• Learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect.
• Learn how we can collectively solve the issue of elder abuse.
• Learn how we can all age well and reduce abuse with community programs and services.
• Spread the word with friends and family members.
• Spread the word about essential community supports like law enforcement, community centers, and public transportation
• Spread the word about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day #WEAAD
• Reach out and prevent isolation.
• Reach out to congregation leaders to give a talk about elder abuse.
• Call or visit older loved ones regularly.
• Provide respite breaks for caregivers.
• Learn more about #AdultProectiveServices and #LTCOmbudsmen
• Volunteer to be a friendly visitor.

Use #WEAAD615 and Tag 5 of Your Friends on Social Media! 

To learn more, look here, here, and here. 

If you are concerned that a friend, neighbor, or loved one is experiencing abuse, neglect or exploitation, call Buncombe County Adult Protective Services (828) 250-5800 anytime, day or night. No appointment is needed. 

"Stories with the Elders" at this weekend's GRINDfest 2022

Hidden within this weekend's packed schedule at GRINDfest 2022 is an opportunity for Age-Friendly Buncombe that is not to be missed.   

GRINDfest is a free, four-day event that celebrates the success of Black entrepreneurs and business owners in Asheville. The block-party-style event will take place during the weekend of May 27-30 at 8 River Arts Place, the home of Black Wall Street AVL. This City-owned property is leased to Black Wall Street (BWS) for $1/year as a hub for Black Business and tourism.  

GRINDfest 2022 will be a weekend full of music, games, live performances, food, local vendors, plus learning employment, and partnership opportunities. The goal of the festival is to highlight the progress made by people of color while also connecting folks in the community.   

Last year, GRINDfest drew over 4000 attendees from 19 states. This year, over 30 sponsors will join together to celebrate this amazingly diverse and entertaining event and showcase:   

• World-renowned Slutty Vegan, a Black, woman-owned vegan food truck recently featured in Essence Magazine 
• Curated Beer Garden by Highland Brewing   
• Opportunity Tent featuring incentives, career development programs, grants, scholarships, and  funding resources for businesses  
• Food Trucks  
• DJ Battle  
• Poetry Slam  
• Drag Show 
• Outdoor Games  
• Greater Asheville Cook-off (wings, chili, and BBQ categories); card games, and so much more!   

All that sounds super fun and exciting! But, hidden amidst all the fun is what we feel sure is the BEST PART: Stories with the Elders.   

Stories with the Elders will take place on Saturday, May 28 inside Black Wall Street, at 8 River Arts Place, and will feature the following:  

11:00 am Conversations with the Elders  

Maybe you want to come inside and talk with the elders. Local Asheville legends will be seated and conversing with us inside Black Wall Street AVL. Sit at the feet of people who have been there and do that. They've seen how our community has changed, but they hold the treasure-our history. Local seniors from Asheville will be telling stories all day inside the building. Come learn and honor the local history of Asheville. 

 

2:00 pm Urban Renewal  

Urban Renewal decimated the Black Business District in Southside Asheville. Come learn from the local historian, Ms. Priscilla, what happened and what we can do to make sure it doesn't happen again. 

 

3:00 pm Southside  

George Bush came to sit in her living room and learn about Asheville. She was a contributing writer for the Asheville Citizen-Times. She's as glamorous as they come and still a lady! Come and learn from Mrs. Barbara Pagan what the Southside used to be and how it used to feel in Asheville. 

 

4:00 pm Stevens-Lee  

The Castle on the Hill was the only black high school in Western North Carolina. People from all over the region came to learn from high school teachers who were trained to be college professors. Come hear the stories about how it was to learn with and from black people. 

 

Black Wall Street AVL is the outreach program GRIND, LLC - Asheville's first Black-Owned Coffee Shop (with great coffee, btw). BWS helps increase the revenue of entrepreneurs and prepares them for engagement with larger business development programs in Western North Carolina.  Entrepreneurship is the quickest way for historically marginalized people to establish personal wealth, and entrepreneurs transform communities.

 Fueled by the continued growth of the niche and affinity tourism industry in Asheville, this event will serve as an opportunity for Black, Indigenous, and other Women of Color (BIPoC)-owned businesses to connect and engage in commerce with visitors coming to enjoy the unique products, services, and experiences found here in Asheville. While the River Arts District is expanding, it is important for GRINDfest organizers and attendees to reflect on the legacy of this neighborhood. The District was the previous home to AFRAM Corporation, the largest Black-Owned Business in Asheville's history. GRINDfest attendees can view the historical building as it still stands adjacent to Black Wall Street AVL at 8 River Arts Place. 

We hope you will check out GRINDfest 2022, but especially we hope you will enjoy Stories with the Elders.