Black-bodied residents of Buncombe county!  Join us for our next Generational Architect meeting as we strengthen community, ground ourselves in shared purpose, and continue learning the work of repair. We will make space for every voice, revisit the why, and study the tools and history that shape our path. Come to connect, learn, and leave aligned on what repair asks of us next.

Black-bodied residents of Buncombe county!  Join us for our next Generational Architect meeting as we strengthen community, ground ourselves in shared purpose, and continue learning the work of repair. We will make space for every voice, revisit the why, and study the tools and history that shape our path. Come to connect, learn, and leave aligned on what repair asks of us next.

We are back on the porch in historic Montford, where Halloween is a neighborhood love language. Last year we filled the block with laughter and little footsteps, and this year we are bringing even more spooks, more candy, and more family fun. Pull up for joy, community, music, and treats for all ages. Come in costume, come with neighbors, come ready to smile under the porch light.

Grief Share: A Safe Haven to Navigate Loss Together

Join us for Grief Share, a welcoming space designed to hold and honor the weight of loss. This session is not about providing advice or solutions, but about creating a safe environment where individuals can share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly.

Please note: RSAA will not be offering grief counseling or advising. This gathering is simply a compassionate space for reflection, connection, and mutual support.

RSAA October Lunch & Learn: Joyworks: A Community Story Lab

Gather with us to create, share, and picture what repair and justice can look like. With light music and inviting prompts like “Joy feels like… ” and “My descendants’ joy will live in…, ” you can write, sketch, collage, or record a short audio story. Co-facilitated by RSAA Intern Icy McKether, a recent Yale Divinity School graduate, and Jenny Pickens, a renowned local artist

and community icon. Together we’ll move through joy, repair, justice, legacy, and abolition while building a living story wall and a small community archive. This is RSAA’s work in action: pairing creative education with community repair so our stories inform programs, guide strategy, and

strengthen a public record of what healing looks and feels like. Anonymity is welcome, and bilingual prompts will be available. Add your voice to a collective tapestry that helps RSAA teach, plan, and build repair that lasts.

Register Now

October 22, 2025

12:30pm- 2:00pm

Lunch Provided

AmeriHealth Caritas

216 Asheland Ave

Asheville, NC 28801

SpaceShifter meetings are intentional spaces for non-Black-bodied individuals committed to learning, unlearning, and taking meaningful action toward reparations and Black liberation. Rooted in accountability, these sessions explore anti-Blackness, privilege, and true solidarity. This is not charity—it’s collective repair. SpaceShifters shift narratives, redistribute power, and support RSAA’s mission through resources, relationships, and growth. Come ready to listen, wrestle, and commit.

Join us for an engaging Lunch & Learn exploring the power of Black resilience, self-determination, and care in the ongoing fight for equity and liberation. This in-person event will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at the AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina Wellness and Opportunity Center, located at 216 Asheland Ave, Asheville, NC 28801. Lunch will be provided. Come ready to connect, learn, and reflect—registration is required.

It’s almost time—the Second Annual RSAA Sneaker Gala is making its highly anticipated return on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Circa 29 in Asheville. This isn’t your average black-tie affair—it’s a bold blend of style, culture, and purpose. Come dressed to impress in your formal wear and freshest sneakers for a night that celebrates individuality and collective impact. From live music and curated bites to nonstop dancing and unforgettable energy, this is more than a gala—it’s a movement in support of reparative justice. Tickets are on sale now, so don’t wait to secure your spot. Let’s make this year even bigger. RSVP details dropping soon—stay ready.

Who are Generational Architects?
At RSAA, we believe that reparations must be structural, spiritual, and rooted in the brilliance of Black people. That’s why we’ve chosen to reframe what it means to be a “member.” Our Black-bodied community members are not simply participants—they are Generational Architects. This name honors those who design, shape, and build liberatory futures. It speaks to the legacy of our ancestors, the courage of our elders, and the boldness of those carrying the torch today.

What’s the invitation?
We’re inviting Black-bodied people to step into community, visioning, and decision-making with us. This meeting will focus on two major areas of impact:

The Future of 690 Haywood Road: We’re building a Black-centered community hub—and your voice will help shape how this space is activated, governed, and resourced.

The RSAA Reparations Fund: We’re preparing to launch a community-led fund to invest in Black futures. Generational Architects will serve as the core decision-making body—ensuring resources are distributed with intention, integrity, and ancestral wisdom.

Come be part of this sacred and strategic gathering. Because we don’t just inherit the work—we build it.

SpaceShifter meetings are intentional spaces for non-Black-bodied individuals committed to learning, unlearning, and taking meaningful action toward reparations and Black liberation. Rooted in accountability, these sessions explore anti-Blackness, privilege, and true solidarity. This is not charity—it’s collective repair. SpaceShifters shift narratives, redistribute power, and support RSAA’s mission through resources, relationships, and growth. Come ready to listen, wrestle, and commit.

Join us for a special Family Bowling Event honoring Matthew Bacoate Jr., the trailblazer who integrated the first public accommodation in Asheville—now known as AMF Star Lanes. This free community celebration will take place on Wednesday, August 20th, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at 491 Kenilworth Road, Asheville, NC 28805. Enjoy an evening of bowling, food, and drinks as we honor a local civil rights legend. Pre-registration is required to attend.

Join RSAA for a powerful screening of 40 Acres, a thought-provoking thriller/sci-fi film that reimagines what reparations could look like in modern America. The story follows a successful Black attorney who is invited to join an elite Black-only organization offering land, wealth, and power—but quickly uncovers a chilling secret beneath the surface. Blending suspense, social commentary, and futuristic intrigue, 40 Acres challenges viewers to confront the complexities of justice, power, and identity. Screenings will take place on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and Friday, August 8, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This is a free community event, and snacks will be provided. Pre-registration is required, and the location will be shared upon registration. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today and be part of this important conversation. 40 Acres is rated PG-13.

Join RSAA for a powerful screening of 40 Acres, a thought-provoking thriller/sci-fi film that reimagines what reparations could look like in modern America. The story follows a successful Black attorney who is invited to join an elite Black-only organization offering land, wealth, and power—but quickly uncovers a chilling secret beneath the surface. Blending suspense, social commentary, and futuristic intrigue, 40 Acres challenges viewers to confront the complexities of justice, power, and identity. Screenings will take place on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and Friday, August 8, 2025, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. This is a free community event, and snacks will be provided. Pre-registration is required, and the location will be shared upon registration. Space is limited, so reserve your seat today and be part of this important conversation. 40 Acres is rated PG-13.

Join us for a screening of Spike Lee’s bold and provocative film BlacKkKlansman, based on the true story of Ron Stallworth—the first Black detective in the Colorado Springs Police Department—who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s.

Join us for an open conversation about your current perspective on our country—and how it shapes and influences RSAA’s mission and work.

Say goodbye to overpriced, sugary store-bought drinks and hello to natural flavors, real fizz, and full control over what you’re sipping. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to make delicious, healthy sodas at home using simple, affordable ingredients. Led by Shaniqua Simuel of Change Your Palate and the Amazon series The Rotating Chef.

A monthly discussion series that explores “the things we think but seldom say” through creating a brave space for courageous conversations. This is a space just for us—an open, honest convo about how we define Blackness within our own communities. Ever been told you’re “not Black enough”? Or questioned what that even means? Let’s talk about it. The event will be hybrid with drop in and zoom options.

A monthly political education series that takes a deep dive into various aspects of local, state and national government that impact the lives of black members. From the post-Civil War Black Codes to the oppressive Jim Crow laws and beyond, this session will uncover how legislation was used as a tool to control, marginalize, and disenfranchise Black Americans long after the abolition of slavery.

Join the RSAA team for drinks and melanated conversation at The Montford Rooftop Bar from 6p-8p. First round of drinks is on us (for the first 10 to register and arrive)!

A monthly political education series that takes a deep dive into various aspects of local, state and national government that impact the lives of people who identify as Black.

It’s going down! Get your best spades partner or come solo and form a team with someone else. Get ready for a great night with fun and prizes!

We'll bring the popcorn, drinks and movie. You bring yourself and some guests. We'll all have a great evening enjoying the classic Black movie Poetic Justice starring Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Regina King and Joe Torry.

A monthly discussion series that explores “the things we think but seldom say” through creating a brave space for courageous conversations.

Join the RSAA team for spirits and spirited conversation. The first 10 members to register and show up get their first round of drinks paid for by RSAA

It's that time again! If you or anyone you know is in need of baby items including formula, diapers, wipes, bottles and baby food or if there's a need for canned goods or incontinence pads, we've got you covered. Visit our office between 4p-6p on Monday March 31 to get what you need. Tell a friend!

BLACKALICIOUS! Bowling Party

Join us as we enjoy food, fellowship and fun for the whole family! The first 10 RSAA members to register and arrive will get free shoe rental and a free game. All other guests will be responsible for shoe rental ($5 one time), bowling ($6.50 per game) and food costs.

Now is a critical time for the Black community. We are initiating an important conversation for members and distance disruptors at this month's meeting. What is an Executive Order and why does it matter to you? We will explore this topic and more as we strategize, organize, and mobilize for the future we envision. Member meetings serve as a platform to deepen our community's understanding of systemic barriers and opportunities for change.

*This meeting is exclusively for RSAA Black Membership.

Genealogy Cohort

This comprehensive course is thoughtfully designed to serve as an introduction to the essential processes involved in conducting genealogical research specifically for Black individuals who have longstanding ties to the regions of Western North Carolina and the broader Mountain South. By the end of the course, participants will have gained valuable insights into various resources that can significantly aid them in their genealogical research endeavors and will also have the opportunity to build a detailed family tree utilizing the Ancestry.com platform. We invite you to join us for an informative session on February 17 at 6:30 PM, or consider signing up for the Genealogy Cohort that is set to begin in March and ends in May.