Frequently Asked Questions About

RSAA

  • RSAA is an independent, Black led nonprofit focused on reparations, repair, and long term community healing.

    RSAA exists to educate and make reparations common knowledge. Reparations should not be a word that is feared, misunderstood, or rejected. RSAA works to increase understanding, expand dialogue, and move reparations from conversation to action.

    RSAA recognizes that reparations extends beyond monetary repair. While financial repair is extremely important, reparations also includes:

    • Healthcare access and outcomes
    • Climate and environmental justice
    • Economic opportunity and wealth building
    • Housing and land access
    • Education and knowledge building
    • Policy and systems change
    • Community healing and restoration

    RSAA works to advance reparative solutions across these areas to address the lasting impacts of systemic harm.

  • RSAA was created to:

    • Move reparations from conversation to action
    • Build long term reparative infrastructure
    • Center Black voices and lived experiences
    • Support healing, repair, and restoration
    • Create sustainable pathways for reparations

  • RSAA centers Black communities because reparations is rooted in addressing the historical and ongoing harms experienced by Black people.

    RSAA acknowledges that these systems of harm do not impact only Black communities. Many communities have experienced harm and continue to face systemic barriers. However, history and present day disparities continue to show that Black communities remain among the most impacted.

    RSAA believes that when we intentionally address and repair harm within the most impacted communities, the benefits extend beyond those communities. When Black communities thrive, all communities benefit.

    Centering Black communities allows RSAA to focus on meaningful repair while building systems that support long term equity and opportunity.

  • No.

    Centering Black communities does not mean excluding others. RSAA engages individuals and communities across backgrounds committed to learning, accountability, and reparative work.

    RSAA’s goal is to build systems where Black communities and all communities can thrive.

  • RSAA operates as an Ecosystem of Organized Disruptors.

    Generational Architects
    Distance Disruptors
    SpaceShifters
    Funders
    Government Agencies
    RSAA Staff and Board

    RSAA uses the term Organized Disruptors because disruption cannot happen without being organized first.

  • RSAA believes in the generative power of joy. Joy is part of the repair.

    RSAA believes that reparations is not only about addressing harm, but also about creating conditions where Black communities and all communities can thrive, experience joy, and build toward liberation.

Organizational Background

  • RSAA was founded in 2024 as an independent nonprofit.

  • RSAA was incorporated as its own independent entity in 2023.

  • Yes. RSAA originally began as a project of the Tzedek Social Justice Fund.

    As the work grew and the need for independence became clear, RSAA was incorporated as its own entity in 2023 and later established as an independent nonprofit in 2024.

    This transition allowed RSAA to build its own infrastructure, governance, and long term sustainability.

  • RSAA was incorporated in 2023 and founded in 2024 by Torre White-Garrison. She served as the inaugural Project Director and is the inaugural Executive Director.

Property & Infrastructure

  • The property located at 690 Haywood Road was conveyed to RSAA by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina.

    This decision was made through a unanimous vote by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina.

    The conveyance of this property was an intentional act aligned with reparative values, long term community investment, and supporting Black led infrastructure.

  • No.

    The 690 Haywood Road property was not purchased using government funding or taxpayer dollars.

    The property was conveyed directly to RSAA by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina following a unanimous vote.

  • The conveyance of 690 Haywood Road reflects a commitment to:

    • Reparative justice
    • Community investment
    • Long term infrastructure building
    • Supporting Black led leadership
    • Creating space for healing, education, and community building

    This conveyance represents one of the most significant local transfers of assets in support of reparative work and long term community investment.

  • RSAA is developing 690 Haywood Road as a space for:

    • Community education
    • Reparations learning and dialogue
    • Programming and gatherings
    • Organizational operations
    • Community partnerships
    • Healing and restoration initiatives

    The property supports RSAA’s mission to build long term reparative infrastructure.

    As RSAA continues to further develop 690 Haywood Road, we will eventually engage our ecosystem of Organized Disruptors to help imagine what the space could be and how it can best serve reparative work, healing, education, and long term community impact.

    This approach reflects RSAA’s commitment to community informed decision making and building spaces that are rooted in collective vision and shared purpose.

Government & Independence

  • No. RSAA is independent and separate from the City of Asheville and Buncombe County government reparations efforts, including the Community Reparations Commission.

    RSAA:

    • Is not a government entity
    • Does not receive government funding
    • Does not distribute government reparations funds
    • Does not control government reparations decisions

    RSAA is a community based organization focused on building long term reparative infrastructure that extends beyond local government efforts, both locally and beyond.

    While RSAA believes that all government agencies should atone for the atrocities committed against African Americans, we also recognize that meaningful repair requires accountability across multiple systems.

    RSAA remains committed to holding systems accountable and challenging the status quo.

Funding & Financial Transparency

  • RSAA receives funding through:

    • Individual donors
    • Private donors
    • Philanthropic organizations
    • Foundations
    • Corporate sponsors
    • Fundraising events
    • Community contributions

  • No. RSAA does not receive government funding.

    This includes:

    • No City of Asheville funding
    • No Buncombe County funding
    • No State of North Carolina funding
    • No Federal funding

    RSAA operates as an independent nonprofit and is not funded by taxpayer dollars.

Monetary Reparations Fund

  • RSAA’s Monetary Reparations Fund is funded solely by individual and private donors.

    Donors explicitly designate their contributions to the Monetary Reparations Fund.

  • No. To date, RSAA has not distributed any funds from the Monetary Reparations account.

    RSAA is intentionally building governance, infrastructure, and community rooted decision making processes before distributing funds.

  • RSAA’s Monetary Reparations Fund is designed to complement, not replace or receive, government reparations efforts.

Governance & Decision Making

  • RSAA is developing a community rooted structure where Generational Architects help guide decisions.

Where Can I Learn More?

For additional questions please email:

info@rsaasheville.org

A Note on Misinformation

RSAA encourages individuals to verify information before sharing publicly.

RSAA remains committed to transparency and truth telling.