JOIN US
as we celebrate community throughout the year!
Mosaic Realty's Annual Art Walk & Benefit
We invite you to join us on May 2nd from 5-9 pm for Mosaic Realty’s 2nd annual Art Walk & Benefit. The YMI Cultural Center is one of the 15 participating nonprofits featured at the Art Walk.
YMI Cultural Center Yard Sale
We're pleased to share that we're on the cusp of moving back into our newly renovated building! It's been a journey, and we're thrilled to see it come to fruition. As we prepare for our return, we've uncovered some wonderful items that we're offering to the community.
Join us this Saturday for a special community sale where you'll find great deals on a variety of items. Drop by the corner suite between 9am and 1pm to browse and shop!
YMI Book Swap At Noir Collective
YMI Cultural Center & BCPL present the Black Experience Book Swap!
Giving Tuesday
YMI is on a mission to build up our Black community in Asheville and what better way to start then getting to know YOU! We are hosting a drop-in at Noir Collective on November 28 from 12-5pm. Stop by to meet the team, learn about our programs, and share your thoughts on what you’d like to see at the YMI in 2024.
Our Giving Tuesday event will give you the opportunity to shop from all Black owned business ( and get ahead of holiday shopping) There will be light refreshments and lots of conversation.
YMI Hard Hat Tour - September 27
A new day is on the horizon for the YMI Cultural Center, and we would like to invite you on a Hard Hat Tour to share our excitement for the rehabilitation of the 130-year-old historical landmark, the cornerstone of The Block and the Black experience in Asheville.
Please join us for a sneak peek of our upgraded facility and new venue spaces ideally suited for meetings, events, workshops and more.
Tour date options: August 16, August 30, September 13 & September 27
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be walking through a construction site. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The elevator is not in service so climbing stairs will be required to experience the full tour.
Hard hats will be provided.
Tours will last approximately 45-minutes.
YMI Hard Hat Tour - September 13
A new day is on the horizon for the YMI Cultural Center, and we would like to invite you on a Hard Hat Tour to share our excitement for the rehabilitation of the 130-year-old historical landmark, the cornerstone of The Block and the Black experience in Asheville.
Please join us for a sneak peek of our upgraded facility and new venue spaces ideally suited for meetings, events, workshops and more.
Tour date options: August 16, August 30, September 13 & September 27
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be walking through a construction site. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The elevator is not in service so climbing stairs will be required to experience the full tour.
Hard hats will be provided.
Tours will last approximately 45-minutes.
YMI Hard Hat Tour - August 30
A new day is on the horizon for the YMI Cultural Center, and we would like to invite you on a Hard Hat Tour to share our excitement for the rehabilitation of the 130-year-old historical landmark, the cornerstone of The Block and the Black experience in Asheville.
Please join us for a sneak peek of our upgraded facility and new venue spaces ideally suited for meetings, events, workshops and more.
Tour date options: August 16 & August 30.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be walking through a construction site. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The elevator is not in service so climbing stairs will be required to experience the full tour.
Hard hats will be provided.
Tours will last approximately 45-minutes.
2023 East End/Valley Street Community Heritage Festival
YMI Cultural Center honors The Past, Present and Future alongside the East End Valley Street neighborhood by co-hosting this year's Community Heritage Festival!
Looking for a family-friendly event that celebrates the rich heritage of Asheville's oldest African-American neighborhood? Then you won't want to miss the 2023 East End/Valley Street Community Heritage Festival!
The Community Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, August 26th, from 10am to 10pm in the East End/Valley Street neighborhood’s MLK Park, located at 50 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. The festival promises to be an unforgettable experience, featuring live music, vendors, food trucks, and a children's area that will be open from 10am to 7pm.
The East End/Valley Street Community Heritage Festival Parade will kick off the festivities at 10am on Saturday, August 26 from the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Alexander Drive, and end at MLK Park. This spectacular parade is a celebration of the community's rich history and culture, and sets the stage for a day filled with fun.
This year's theme is Heritage: Past, Present, Future. We invite everyone to join us in honoring the past, embracing the present, and looking forward to a bright and exciting future. This is an alcohol-free, family-friendly festival, so bring your loved ones and enjoy a day filled with laughter, learning, and fun. Please note that animals are not permitted at the festival.
So mark your calendars for August 26th and come celebrate with us at the 2023 East End/Valley Street Community Heritage Festival! Everyone is welcome to join in the festivities and experience the unique culture and history of this amazing community.
Location:
50 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Asheville, NC 28801
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
For more information, visit East End/Valley Street.
YMI Hard Hat Tour - August 16
A new day is on the horizon for the YMI Cultural Center, and we would like to invite you on a Hard Hat Tour to share our excitement for the rehabilitation of the 130-year-old historical landmark, the cornerstone of The Block and the Black experience in Asheville.
Please join us for a sneak peek of our upgraded facility and new venue spaces ideally suited for meetings, events, workshops and more.
Tour date options: August 16 & August 30.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be walking through a construction site. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The elevator is not in service so climbing stairs will be required to experience the full tour.
Hard hats will be provided.
Tours will last approximately 45-minutes.
YMI Hard Hat Tour - July 26
A new day is on the horizon for the YMI Cultural Center, and we would like to invite you on a Hard Hat Tour to share our excitement for the rehabilitation of the 130-year-old historical landmark, the cornerstone of The Block and the Black experience in Asheville.
Please join us for a sneak peek of our upgraded facility and new venue spaces ideally suited for meetings, events, workshops and more.
Tour date options: June 14, June 28, July 14 and July 26.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be walking through a construction site. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The elevator is not in service so climbing stairs will be required to experience the full tour.
Hard hats will be provided.
Tours will last approximately 45-minutes.
YMI Hard Hat Tour - July 12
A new day is on the horizon for the YMI Cultural Center, and we would like to invite you on a Hard Hat Tour to share our excitement for the rehabilitation of the 130-year-old historical landmark, the cornerstone of The Block and the Black experience in Asheville.
Please join us for a sneak peek of our upgraded facility and new venue spaces ideally suited for meetings, events, workshops and more.
Tour date options: June 14, June 28, July 12 and July 26.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be walking through a construction site. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The elevator is not in service so climbing stairs will be required to experience the full tour.
Hard hats will be provided.
Tours will last approximately 45-minutes.
YMI Hard Hat Tour - June 28
A new day is on the horizon for the YMI Cultural Center, and we would like to invite you on a Hard Hat Tour to share our excitement for the rehabilitation of the 130-year-old historical landmark, the cornerstone of The Block and the Black experience in Asheville.
Please join us for a sneak peek of our upgraded facility and new venue spaces ideally suited for meetings, events, workshops and more.
Tour date options: June 14, June 28, July 12 and July 26.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be walking through a construction site. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The elevator is not in service so climbing stairs will be required to experience the full tour.
Hard hats will be provided.
Tours will last approximately 45-minutes.
YMI Hard Hat Tour - June 14
A new day is on the horizon for the YMI Cultural Center, and we would like to invite you on a Hard Hat Tour to share our excitement for the rehabilitation of the 130-year-old historical landmark, the cornerstone of The Block and the Black experience in Asheville.
Please join us for a sneak peek of our upgraded facility and new venue spaces ideally suited for meetings, events, workshops and more.
Tour date options: June 14, June 28, July 12 and July 26.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
You will be walking through a construction site. Please wear closed-toe shoes.
The elevator is not in service so climbing stairs will be required to experience the full tour.
Hard hats will be provided.
Tours will last approximately 45-minutes.
Black Experience Book Club
The YMI cultural Center and Buncombe County Public libraries have partnered to create a book club focusing on modern Black authors and readers. Join us at Noir Collective the last Thursday of every month 6:30-7:30pm
Brother's Brunch
Join us for Brother’s Brunch the first Saturday of every month | 11am - 12pm | at the Foundry Hotel
Black Experience Book Club
The YMI cultural Center and Buncombe County Public libraries have partnered to create a book club focusing on modern Black authors and readers. Join us at Noir Collective the last Thursday of every month 6:30-7:30pm
Brother's Brunch
Join us for Brother’s Brunch the first Saturday of every month | 11am - 12pm | at the Foundry Hotel
Black Experience Book Club
The YMI cultural Center and Buncombe County Public libraries have partnered to create a book club focusing on modern Black authors and readers. Join us at Noir Collective the last Thursday of every month 6:30-7:30pm
Brothers Brunch
Brothers Brunch is quickly becoming a sacred space that bonds and unites men young and old in a unique way – it transcends distance, time, and status. This ongoing event fosters professional and personal connections through conversation, resulting in new and renewed bonds being built and developed by MEN OF COLOR OF ALL AGES!
Groundbreaking Ceremony
YMI Cultural Center, the oldest operating African American Cultural Center in America, will celebrate the beginning of an exciting major renovation project with a Groundbreaking Ceremony at noon on Thursday, November 17th. “We look forward to moving back into a newly refurbished building,” says Dewana Little, Executive Director. “The new building will include renovated spaces in the basement for community use, a modified kitchen, newly lit gallery, and a climate controlled archival room.”
2022 Coat Drive
Donate coats to our community to ensure everyone stays warm this winter! We are currently accepting donations of new coats or cash donations. We will be distributing the coats in December to those in need. Our goal is to collect 500 new coats along with cash donations to help keep our community warm this Winter.
Drop off/mail to: Noir Collective AVL or Pennycup at:
the YMI 39 S Market St. Asheville, NC 28806
Brothers Brunch
"Brothers Brunch" exposes men to a new and dynamic bonding experience with generations upon generations that complements the wealth of the simple concept of... conversation. This experience is a cultural emergence which fosters professional and personal connections that result in both new and renewed bonds being built and developed BY MEN OF COLOR OF ALL AGES!
Successful Transitions Program Orientation
Self-Help Credit Union and the YMI Cultural Center are officially launching "Successful Transitions: Scaling The Benefit Cliff". This series of free classes will provide financial education for people preparing to make secure decisions in their transitions in life.
This series of free class will provide financial management education for people to support their transitions in life.
Black History Brunch
The YMI Cultural Center hosts Black History Brunch. Speeches, poems, songs, and performances from the most amazing talents. Food is also provided for those attending. This event’s main purpose to open Black history month and get to know, experience, and learn about and from Black Asheville. It is an event where people could get entertained but also educated on Black History. Join us at the YMI Cultural Center on Feb. 19th from 10am – 1pm.
The World Of Imagination
The YMI Cultural Center presents Rising Young Black Artist with art by A-iah McDaniel..
The Young Black Artist Program is a signature program for young artist that identifies and recognizes the next generation of talented artist and supports them in the early stages of developing their creative talents and in establishing their sales as professionals. The goal of nurturing the creativity and supporting the talent and development of emerging artist of African dissent is a core value of this mission.
129 Years And Counting Celebration
The YMI Cultural Center is turning a 129 years old and you're invited to help us celebrate! Join us as we celebrate a rich African-American history.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Kwanzaa 365 celebrates the African American holiday of Kwanzaa and explores its seven principles through discussion, musical performance and poetry. The YMI’S Annual Celebration starts 26 December and is 1 January 2020 to be sure to tune in to our YouTube channel for the celebration!
YMI Tour
Do you know who Richard Sharp Smith is? What year was the YMI officially opened? What programs exist at the YMI cultural Center? How can I help spread the work and impact more? These questions and so many more will be answered at the YMI cultural Center tour on December 21 come out and bring your whole team and see how collectively we can impact the city the county and the world!