Black In Asheville

By Todd Gragg –

Two years ago, in 2022, Black In Asheville made its debut, shedding light on the rich and often overlooked Black history of Asheville, North Carolina.

Originally conceived as a short YouTube video, the project quickly evolved into a full-fledged documentary. This transformation was driven by the wealth of information and the willingness of the community to share their stories.

The journey began with a simple idea: create a short video highlighting key aspects of Asheville’s Black history. However, as research commenced and more people got involved, it became clear that a short film would not suffice. The depth and breadth of the stories uncovered demanded a longer format. What started as a modest project blossomed into a comprehensive documentary.

Black In Asheville takes us back to the Antebellum period, exposing what life was like for enslaved people in Asheville. The film explores the deplorable conditions of enslaved people during the Civil War and their transition to the Postbellum period of Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and Black Code Laws.

As enslaved people transitioned to freedmen after the Civil War, they continued to live a segregated existence filled with violent threats designed to control free Black people. Black In Asheville shows how the establishment of churches and schools was vital to the progression of Black life. It is important to tell these stories that history intentionally omitted, so that future generations are made aware of the many important contributions made by Blacks living in the region.

A film like Black In Asheville plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the rich and complex history of the Black community in Asheville is not forgotten. By capturing and sharing these powerful stories, the film acts as a crucial repository of collective memory, preserving the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of a community whose contributions have often been marginalized or overlooked.

Black In Asheville raises the questions, “How much better off are Blacks today in a supposedly non-segregated Asheville?” and “Where do we go from here?” This project stands as a powerful reminder of the rich tapestry of stories that comprise our shared history, deserving of both recognition and remembrance: a story that has to be preserved for generations yet to come.

This documentary is vital for educating future generations, fostering a more inclusive historical narrative, and promoting a deeper understanding of Asheville’s diverse cultural fabric. In doing so, Black In Asheville helps to bridge the past with the present, ensuring that the legacy of the Black community remains a visible and celebrated part of the city’s history.

Several live screenings of Black In Asheville have been well received and have sparked discussions that positively impact the community. These screenings bring people together in a shared space to collectively experience and reflect on the film’s content. They also provide an opportunity for discussions that can lead to increased awareness, understanding, and positive social change within the community.

For more information, or to schedule a screening of Black In Asheville, please call (828) 276-2020, or visit brandingsystempro.com/black-in-asheville.

Todd Gragg

Through a keen lens and an empathetic narrative approach, Todd Gragg shines a light on topics that are often overlooked or forgotten in mainstream discourse. His work is not just about storytelling; it’s about sparking conversations and inspiring action. By bringing these important causes to the forefront, he plays a vital role in raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding among audiences.

About Branding System Pro Multimedia

Todd Gragg is a native of Asheville who attended Asheville City Schools and earned a degree in Business Management from UNC Asheville. As a community historian with expertise in filmmaking and photography, He is the founder of Branding System Pro (brandingsystempro.com), a multimedia agency that focuses on filmmaking, photography, and web design.

With a passion for history, Todd produced Black in Asheville, a documentary exploring the experiences and challenges of African Americans in the Asheville region, covering the past, present, and future. He is in the process of producing a second documentary.