Black Mountain Stand Against Racism

Staff Reports

Fourteen area organizations have endorsed the Stand Against Racism, a nationwide awareness program sponsored by the YWCA USA and locally by the YWCA of Asheville. The goal is to bring people together from all walks of life to raise awareness that racism still exists and that it can no longer be ignored or tolerated.

In Black Mountain, events will be held on Monday, April 25, Tuesday, April 26, and Thursday, April 28. The events, free and open to the public, will include films about race, followed by dialogue; several local churches are also planning special services to address racism.
The film series begins April 25 at 7:30 p.m. with a showing of A Class Divided at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley, 500 Montreat Road. The film will be followed by dessert and discussion.

The series will continue at Black Mountain Town Hall on April 26 and
28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., featuring several short films about race. The
Rev. Michael Carter will moderate a panel discussion each evening, with
the following panelists:

•    Marcy Onieal, Manager, Town of Black Mountain
•    Kathryn DeBrow, community leader
•    Monroe Gilmour, community organizer
•    The Rev. Kay Hines, pastor, Thomas Chapel AME Zion Church

The Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting will hold a special Stand
Against Racism service April 17, and the following churches will do so
on May 1: Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, Cloud Cottage Community of
Mindful Living, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa
Valley, and Thomas Chapel AME Zion Church.

Other local sponsors of the Stand Against Racism include:
•    Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce
•    Church of the Incarnation
•    Kiwanis Club of Black Mountain – Swannanoa
•    Ministry of Hope
•    Swannanoa Valley Church Women United
•    Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting
•    The Swannanoa Valley Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Corporation
•    Town of Black Mountain
•    Warren Wilson College
•    YWCA of Asheville

Black Mountain residents are also encouraged to attend several
Stand Against Racism events in Asheville, including a diversity fair at
the Young Men’s Institute and a community celebration at the YWCA on
April 29.

For more information about becoming a sponsor of the Stand
Against Racism, contact Roberta Madden at (828) 669-2757 or
[email protected].