Celebrating Asheville Excellence in Entrepreneurship

By Aisha Adams –

Each of these enterprising leaders provides an essential service for the community, while also creating a successful business model.

Legacies don’t start as legacies. They start with burning midnight oil, working after hours on your dream, and sometimes getting started when you don’t know exactly how it’s going to end.

The first Black-owned-and-operated newspaper in the United States was Freedom’s Journal, published on March 16, 1827, the same year that slavery was abolished in New York State. The freedom on these pages was the heartbeat of the people as they walked into a new era. And the only ones who could tell their story was these newly freed, formerly enslaved Africans in America. They were not trying to create a legacy. They were just being true to their heart, their reality, and their experiences.

Asheville has its own type of Freedom Journal: The Urban News, published by Johnnie Grant.

When Johnnie Grant started The Urban News, times were different. There were not as many opportunities for entrepreneurs of color—especially women. But that did not stop her. She launched the newspaper despite the challenges.

The city of Asheville’s 2018 Economic Disparity Study reported that less than 0.5% of all contracts went to Black-owned businesses. The reason was that there were not enough businesses; and the ones that existed did not have capacity to do the work.

However, we think differently. We know the businesses are here, but they have been boxed out through systems that make it harder for Black-owned businesses to engage. So those who make progress should be celebrated.

That’s why we are celebrating the Legacy Awards. Black Wall Street AVL is hosting this event to honor Asheville’s local leaders on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 5 p.m., at 8 River Arts Place.

Dr. Oralene Simmons

Dr. Oralene Anderson Graves Simmons, Founder and President of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, will deliver the keynote address while other community leaders and partners will join as we uplift each other.

The legacy of Dr. Simmons, the descendant of a slave, can be traced back to the era before emancipation. She is the great-great-granddaughter of Joseph Anderson, an enslaved man who in 1859 was taken by the sheriff of Buncombe County as collateral for Mars Hill College’s debt to the contractor for erecting their first building on campus. In 1961 Simmons became the first African American admitted to Mars Hill College—literally built by her ancestor. A civil rights leader and pioneer in Asheville throughout the integration period, protesting started for her when she was still a student at Stephens Lee High School.

Dr. Oralene Simmons walks this legacy out as she uplifts the work of her grandson, Preston Blakey, the first Black mayor of Fletcher, North Carolina. Mayor Preston Blakely is the next generation of a legacy that started over a hundred years ago.

Legacies don’t stop…

Black Wall Street seeks to keep all legacies alive by “Honoring History and Building Wealth Together.” The mission of Black Wall Street-Asheville is to start, grow, and expand Black businesses; however, this is not done in a vacuum or silo.

Since Black Wall Street-Asheville was founded in 2021 they have engaged over 250 volunteers and over 50 partner organizations, have been recognized in Forbes and Black Enterprise magazines, and have been nominated as Business Support Organization of the year.

Partners include Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation, Mountain Bizworks, Hatch AVL, Venture Asheville, Thrive Asheville, and the NC IDEA Foundation.

To honor the history that is currently being made in Asheville every day, BWS decided to create the Legacy Awards—a community-driven award in which local people nominate and vote for, their own heroes: each other.

Over 700 community voters nominated more than 20 leaders for their work in the community. And this night will be an evening of celebration for all.

If your problems are not real, then your success is fake.

It is because our struggles are real that our successes are even more real. Asheville is no stranger to stories about passion meeting profit. It has been a thriving hub of entrepreneurial spirit that’s been bubbling over for generations. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner, or just starting your journey, this city has something for you.

Nian Avery and CiCi Weston believed in their entrepreneurial passions and are just two of the local game changers who have ignited hearts, not with venture capital, but with unwavering dedication. This brother-and-sister team are in different industries but are part of the same Avery Legacy.

Like Dr. Simmons, Mayor Blakely, and Ms. Grant, they represent the potential that exists within families and inside each of us.

When One Legacy Breaks Through, We All Succeed

On Saturday, February 17, the community is honoring Nian Avery and Cici Avery Weston as “Entrepreneurs of the Year.” Nian is founder of “Avery’s Memorial Chapel” and Cici is founder of “Christine W. Avery Learning Center.”

When Banks Said No, Community Said Yes: Nian Avery’s Rejection Turned Revelation

Avery’s Memorial Chapel is a funeral home founded by Nian Avery in Asheville at a young age, when he felt a different kind of calling despite being raised in a preacher’s home. Nian spent years honing his craft in the funeral industry, while dreaming of a space that embraced grief with joy.

Starting a business is never easy, and for Nian, securing funding was an uphill battle. Banks saw “funeral home” and slammed the door. Undeterred, Nian tapped into the vibrant Asheville community, connecting with Mountain BizWorks, an organization that champions local entrepreneurs.

With their support and guidance, Nian’s dream finally took flight, with Avery’s Memorial Chapel now known for its personalized services and helping people plan personal and lasting tributes for their loved ones. In a world that often shuns death, Nian creates a space for open dialogue and acceptance in the face of loss.

Beyond the ABCs and 1-2-3s: Cici’s Legacy of Empowering Young Minds

Cici Weston transformed the Christine W. Avery Learning Center from a daycare facility to a center providing academic, social, cultural, spiritual, and civic development to disadvantaged families in western North Carolina. Founded in the 1950s by the matriarch who believed in the power of education for all, this nonprofit has been nurtured through generations, landing under Cici’s care in 2017.

Cici, a long-time advocate of underprivileged families, wasn’t just interested in keeping kids engaged—she imagined a space where learning blossomed and future leaders were born. Among their programs are for Early Learning, Pre-K fostering social skills, after-school, and summer programs.

The center brings a holistic approach through the “IALAC” philosophy: I Am Loved And Cared For, where every child is seen, heard, and valued in all areas of development. The classroom goes beyond walls, creating future leaders who appreciate the world and their place in it.

Everything, Everywhere and Everyone: Johnnie’s News for All 

The Urban News is now the most widely read African American newspaper in Asheville and the western North Carolina region, thanks to its owner, founder and publisher, Johnnie Grant. Her work has been noted for providing an important platform and avenue for people of color and African American voices to be heard on paper.

The newspaper especially focuses on multicultural content and has positioned itself as a voice for the underrepresented through inclusive and diverse storytelling. Grant has effectively nurtured the community’s rich history, despite the decline of local news outlets, including newspapers.

While others have come and gone, and businesses have opened and closed, The Urban News has continued to be a stable and reckoning force, making sure that our stories are seen and heard in multiple languages. As such, Black Wall Street AVL will celebrate Johnnie Grant with the Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize her longevity and years of business in service to this community. Don’t miss this moment to make history together by celebrating those making history every day.

GRINDfest 2024: Your VIP Pass to Make a Difference

Nian’s, Cici’s, and Johnnie’s stories manifest the transformative power of entrepreneurship. GRINDfest is the celebration of Black Business and Entrepreneurship. This year’s celebration highlights the innovation, community, and the legacy of businesses led by people of color in western North Carolina. A weekend filled with food, fun, and amazing people, May 24-26 promises to be the most amazing festival.

We’ll have Harlem Nights casino night (in the spirit of the great ’20s), carnival rides, vendors, food trucks, a concert at Salvage Station, a pop-up bike park, youth-owned businesses, a pitch contest, performances, live bands, and a gospel music showcase. Each year GRINDfest draws thousands of people from Asheville and 35 other states around the country.

GRINDfest is your golden ticket as a volunteer or sponsor. Connect with the community, support local businesses, and be the change Asheville needs! Your time, your resources—it all counts! Ready to make waves? Dive into the action at GRINDfest!

For business owners, being a sponsor isn’t just about elevating the event; it’s about taking part in Asheville’s next business boom. Showcase your brand, support community growth, and be part of the talk of the town.

Time to put your name in lights! Visit www.grindfestavl.com and secure your spot as a volunteer or sponsor. Let’s make change together from Asheville and beyond—so join the celebration, be part of GRINDfest 2024, and let the next page in your story begin.