Buncombe County Accepting Applications for Community Reparations Commission

Buncombe County is currently seeking interested applicants for the Community Reparations Commission that began its work earlier this year. There is one board vacancy as well as two alternate vacancies.

The Community Reparations Commission is charged with coming up with recommendations to City Council and the Board of Commissioners to repair the harm done by decades of racial discrimination and systemic oppression against Black residents. The reparations process focuses on five impact areas which include housing, economic development, health, education, and criminal justice.

The Commission will is composed of 25 members, with 15 commission members from historically impacted neighborhoods, five appointed by Asheville City Council to represent the focus areas, and five appointed by the Buncombe County Commissioners to represent the focus areas. The Community Reparations Commission members will contribute approximately 5-10 hours per month over a two-year term.

A printed version of the application and the online version applications will be available November 19. For more information about how to apply or nominate someone, please visit the Reparations project page (www.publicinput.com/avlreparations) or the City Boards & Commission webpage (www.ashevillenc.gov/department/city-clerk/boards-and-commissions). Printed versions of the application will be available at the City Manager’s Officer, Second Floor of Asheville City Hall, 70 Court Plaza. Please return filled out versions of the printed applications to the City Manager’s Office by mail or in person by December 22.

Community Reparations Commission members are compensated for their time and participation.

To follow the progress of the Reparations Commission, visit Ashevillenc.gov/reparations.

Buncombe County also has an opening for the African American Heritage Commission, which will be open until filled. To apply, go to boardapplications.buncombecounty.org/Application/Index/2. The deadline to apply is Dec. 8, 2022.