DISASTER

November 2024 – Statehouse Visit

Black Wall Street AVL traveled to Raleigh to advocate for increased disaster recovery and resilience funding. Alongside state legislators, we elevated the voices of residents and small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene, supporting Senate Bill 382, which allocated $1.1B in relief funding.

December 2024 – Community Relief & Support

• All For One Micro-Grants – $500 awards to local entrepreneurs.
• Emergency Supply Grants – $200 each to small business owners.
• Food & Water Drives – Reached vulnerable families.
• Coats & Coffee Winter Event – Provided warmth, hygiene kits, and connection.

January 29, 2025 – FEMA & SBA Technical Assistance

Hosted a virtual session to help residents and businesses navigate disaster aid, ensuring equitable access to federal recovery resources.

March 26–27, 2025 – CDBG-DR Public Comment & Engagement

• Advocated at the City of Asheville Public Comment Meeting for low- to moderate-income residents and small businesses.
• Co-hosted a CDBG-DR Community Engagement Meeting at Grind AVL, gathering input that shaped Asheville’s $225M Draft Action Plan.

May 2025 – Rebuilding Is Everybody’s Business

• Community Forum (May 4) – Mobilized residents, nonprofits, and businesses to participate in recovery planning.
• Meeting with City of Asheville (May 16) – Advanced efficient, inclusive CDBG-DR implementation.
• Preparedness Partnerships (May 19) – Coordinated with the Fire Department on emergency readiness at GrindFest.

GrindFest 2025 – Resilience Through Celebration

A month-long cultural and economic festival highlighting Black entrepreneurship and resilience. Featured:

• Disaster preparedness demos
• WNC Housing Summit
• River Revival Celebration
• Elder Talk & Taste of Black Asheville Brunch

June 27, 2025 – Inclusive Economic Recovery Meeting

Partnered with Mountain BizWorks and the City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office to align recovery efforts and expand procurement access for historically excluded small businesses.