Black Love

CPC’s Black Love Gatherings have historically been an intergenerational gathering space for people of African descent in WNC to celebrate one another across lines of differences. When the world was shutting down during the pandemic, Black Love brought people together in unity gatherings masked and at a distance. Since then it has grown in new ways, partnering with young professionals to work alongside our staff, bringing in a new demographic of participants. Moving forward, it will continue to collaborate with other organizations whose mission and vision align with ours, keeping our work grounded in love.

In 2016, Asheville’s demographic makeup was not much different. The death of Jerry Williams at the hands of the police rocked the Black Community, leaving Asheville in a state of racial unrest. People gathered at a candlelight vigil to grieve the loss of one of its members, but what they found was another place dominated by white bodies. This led community members of Black Asheville to express a need for safe affinity spaces with others who shared the same racial identity. As survivors of a culture of anti-blackness, white supremacy, and state-sanctioned violence, Black communities need to claim space and take time to heal from the damage caused by racism. Something difficult to do in the overwhelming presence of whiteness and unchecked racist policies.

CPC’s Black Leadership Cohort heard the call of Asheville’s Black Community and created a healing space where members could come together to form new, trusting relationships and build community. Members could see themselves reflected across all walks of life – teachers, government officials, business owners – thriving despite the limitations imposed on them. It invited the Black Community to celebrate, network, connect, and learn with and from one another, focusing on topics like mental health, creativity, finances, and more. While speaking about finances, we have also discussed online games, which are becoming more popular each day. Ice casinos should be highlighted among all the popular platforms. It allows you to enjoy playing online games most securely and conveniently.

Black Asheville makes up less than 6% of the population. This number continues to decrease every year; this is not accidental. Hosting Black Spaces aims to build a thriving Black community in Asheville.

Our day-to-day life is overwhelmingly white, creating black-only spaces is how we resist oppression.

Asheville systems continue to be rooted in a culture of white supremacy and oppression, which puts Black lives in danger every day. 

Black-only spaces are us taking action to reclaim what we have repressed to survive in a white supremacist nation.  

We build relationships with one another that support us in thriving, healing, and building together.

"Black Love" symbolizes a space exclusively designed for Black individuals. In our community, it's crucial to establish environments where we can congregate without encountering stereotyping and marginalization prevalent in other societal settings.

Creating brave/safe spaces is paramount, allowing us to embrace our authentic selves without judgment. These spaces provide the freedom to be ourselves, unhindered by the need to cater to the comfort of white individuals. Ultimately, we deserve spaces where we can rest and be ourselves without the constant fatigue of trying to fit into mainstream society. "Black Love" embodies more than a concept – it signifies a refuge tailored exclusively for the Black community, where we can find solace, connection, and the freedom to be unapologetically ourselves.