Rosa Parks Award: Acceptance Speech by Kathey Avery

Four local women were selected as recipients of the annual Rosa Parks Award, given by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County.

Congratulations to Rosa Parks Award Winner, Kathey Avery!

The Rosa Parks Award honors women in the community who have fostered a culture of inclusion in the Asheville community, worked to achieve a just society for the disadvantaged, exemplified a nonviolent philosophy in pursuit of a better life for non-majority people, and inspired direct action in the cause of social justice.

2022 Rosa Parks Award Winners

Kathey Avery, founder and owner of Avery Health – Education and Consulting, has been relentless in her efforts to combat Covid-19 in the community by educating the public about the virus and the benefits of getting vaccinated.

Sophie Dixon, a leader in the Shiloh community, has worked tirelessly to uplift the community through youth mentorship, food sustainability projects, and enhancing community relations.

Antanette Mosley, a member of Asheville’s City Council, has been a force in the community for improving affordable housing opportunities, supporting Black businesses, and eliminating the racial opportunity gap in local schools.

Dr. Tiece Ruffin, director of Africana Studies and professor of Africana Studies & Education at UNCA, works to improve public education in NC by being a champion for justice, equity, and inclusion for the local community’s diverse students.

Each winner’s acceptance speech will be released on the association’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/channel/UCNpa_0DPBIJs02LwOGxPzAg.

For more information on the MLK Association of Asheville & Buncombe County, please visit mlkasheville.org.