YMI Cultural Center Celebrates Black History Month
A Thing of Beauty: Music, Legacy, and Community.
The YMI Cultural Center is marking Black History Month with a rich lineup of events that honor legacy, celebrate creativity, and bring the community together in meaningful ways.
From soulful performances to genealogy workshops and elegant celebrations, the historic institution is offering experiences that highlight both heritage and contemporary expression.
Black Asheville Town Halls
February 16-18, 2026
Join local Black-led organizations as we convene and participate in Black Asheville Town Halls. Over a three-day period, local activists will invite folks running for city council and Congress NC 11. Held from 7-9 p.m. at the YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St. in Asheville. No Registration is necessary. Please come prepared with your questions.
Tracing Our Roots: Genealogy Workshop
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Community members interested in exploring their family history can join a genealogy workshop led by Brian Sheffey, Director of the Center for Family History at the International African American Museum. The session will guide participants through tools and strategies for uncovering ancestral stories and understanding how personal histories connect to broader collective narratives. Whether attendees are new to genealogy or seasoned researchers, the workshop offers a space for curiosity, remembrance, and connection. The free workshop takes place from 2-4 p.m.
Black History Month Cake + Sip
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Creativity takes center stage during the Black History Month Cake + Sip, where participants can decorate confections while enjoying a relaxed, community‑focused atmosphere. The event encourages guests to express themselves artistically while celebrating culture and connection. Cake + Sip runs from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $55.
Preservation is Resistance: Black History in the Age of Erasure.
Wednesday, February 25
Join us for our 2nd Annual Brunch & Learn with RSAA as we bring 4 Black Cultural Center Directors from around the country to ask the seminal question, “How do we sustain our narratives, histories, and traditions in an age of erasure?” Join Torre White-Garrison, Executive Director will lead the conversation. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St. in Asheville. Free tickets are available by going to www.ymiculturalcenter.org/events/preservation-is-resistance-black-history-in-the-age-of-erasure-2nd-annual-brunch-lern.
The 2nd Annual YMI Honors
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Closing out the month is the YMI’s signature celebration: The 2nd Annual YMI Honors. This year’s theme invites guests to embrace the spirit of the Roaring Twenties, with cocktail attire inspired by the Harlem Renaissance.The evening will recognize trailblazers and unsung heroes whose work strengthens and uplifts the community. The program also introduces the YMI’s Kujichagulia Organizations‑in‑Residence and Kuumba Artists‑in‑Residence, alongside a few surprises. Guests will enjoy a sumptuous dinner accompanied by music from Kelle Jolly and Will Boyd. The event runs from 6-10 p.m. Tickets begin at $65.
Register for any of these events by going to ymiculturalcenter.org/events. The YMI Cultural Center is located at 39 S. Market St. in Asheville.
