YMI Cultural Center Receives National Park Service Grant

The YMI will make critical repairs to its building at 39 South Market Street in Asheville.

Asheville's YMI Cultural Center.
Asheville’s YMI Cultural Center.

The YMI Cultural Center has received a $496,957 African American Civil Rights grant from the National Park Service to support the renovation of its historic building.

Since 2008, the grant program has supported projects across the United States that preserve and uplift African American Civil Rights history. The YMI will use the funds to make critical repairs to its building at 39 South Market Street. These repairs will allow the YMI to preserve a significant piece of African American history in Asheville and to continue and expand its offerings including cultural events, business incubation space, and other community programs.

One of the oldest freestanding Black cultural centers in the United States, the Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) was founded in 1892 by Isaac Dickson and Edward Stephens to provide cultural, educational, social, and business opportunities for the Black community in Asheville. George Vanderbilt financed the construction of the 18,000 square foot building, which was designed by Richard Sharp Smith and built by local African American craftsmen. In 1906, a group of prominent Black residents came together to purchase the building from the Vanderbilt Estate, making the YMI one of the earliest institutions owned and operated by Black citizens.

Since opening its doors, the facility has remained the nucleus of economic, social, and cultural activity of the Eagle Market Street neighborhood, known as “The Block.” Today, the historic YMI building continues to serve as a community hub and a repository of western North Carolina’s African American culture and history.

The last major renovation of the YMI Cultural Center took place in 1970, spearheaded by a coalition of churches and community leaders. This effort is testament to the cultural significance of the center, and their work was recognized several years later when, in 1977, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. After several decades of use, the facility is again in need of significant repairs.

The YMI plans to update the center’s plumbing, electrical, fire prevention, and HVAC systems as well as to renovate the interior with special attention to accessibility. The renovations also envision added classroom spaces and upgraded venues for performances and events. This renovation will allow the YMI to continue its mission of promoting cultural preservation and elevating Black excellence through community engagement, advocacy, leadership development and economic justice.

“We are continuously striving to build on the legacy of the founders of this historic institution as this building renovation helps us to further our mission and transition our capacity to meet the needs of today,” says YMI Executive Director Dewana Little.

To support the building’s preservation and renovation, the YMI launched a capital campaign in 2021. In addition to this NPS grant, the YMI has also received a grant from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, and ARPA relief funds from the City of Asheville and Buncombe County, as well as more than $200,000 in individual and corporate donations.

More about the YMI Cultural Center, its mission, and vision for the renovation project can be found at www.ymiculturalcenter.org/our-mission.

Questions can be directed to [email protected] or (828) 257-4540.

For more information on the capital campaign or to donate directly, please visit www.gofundme.com/f/ymicc-capital-campaign.