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THE EAST END/VALLEY STREET NEIGHBORHOOD

The East End is Rising!

East End/Valley Street is the oldest and most historically significant African-American neighborhood in Asheville. Once the center of African-American life in Asheville, the neighborhood was connected to The Block (Eagle, Market Streets) and Valley Street (now South Charlotte), which was the heart of the neighborhood. The Block — home of the historic YMI Cultural Center, a pharmacy, law offices, other businesses and recreation — was once a draw for African-Americans from the entire region where renowned celebrities and musicians from across the country performed.

 

It is in East End/Valley Street that almost all of the first African-American churches of various denominations were located—St. Matthias’ Episcopal, Nazareth First Missionary Baptist, Calvary Presbyterian, St. James’ AME, Hopkins Chapel AME Zion, and Berry Temple Methodist Episcopal. It is here that the city’s first school for black students was established—at St. Matthias’ in 1867. It was here that two of the most significant schools for African-Americans in the city were located—Allen High School, a private (Methodist) school for girls, and Stephens-Lee High School, a public school that became something of a community center and a center for black culture and education for the whole region in the mid-Twentieth Century.

In the 1970s, Asheville’s urban renewal projects changed everything. Long ignored by the city, the neighborhood’s infrastructure and many homes were in code violation. At that time a significant portion of the neighborhood was razed, not only changing the face of the neighborhood, but connections between families and friends were unalterably changed. Residents were dispersed all across the city — some never to return. Read more about East End/Valley Street and urban renewal here: Crossroads.

The neighborhood has recently seen a surge in development with infill building of apartments and single-family homes. For sale signs are popping up on parcels no one ever expected to be developed. That development, and closeness to town, has brought about a shift in demographics from predominately African-American family homes to many white families moving in. Located within a few minutes walk from downtown, the East End has become a location of choice for people looking for the “Asheville lifestyle.”

Established in 2010, the East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association has re-constituted itself. 
Old and new residents are now working side by side in a concerted effort to re-create that lost sense of community, preserve and protect our rich African-American heritage, re-connect the two parts of what was once a single unified neighborhood, and make sure that the neighborhood and its residents are actively involved in any decisions affecting their future. Once again, as the Association’s motto boldly proclaims,“The East End Is Rising!”

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The East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association

stands with

Black Lives Matter

and will fight to end racism and unfair unjust treatment of

Black people.

Racial prejudice changes when hearts change.

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EAST END
VALLEY STREET

Neighborhood Association

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EVENTS

Community Activities for Everyone to Enjoy

East End/Valley Street residents are close-knit and special.

The goal of the East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association is to enhance and improve the lives of the people who live here, worship here, or call it "home".

Join us!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Community Activities for Everyone to Enjoy

East End/Valley Street residents are close-knit and special. The goal of the East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association is to enhance and improve the lives of the people who live here, worship here, or call it "home". Join us!

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Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park Work Day

March 24, 2023

There will be a community work day at the Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park on Friday, March 24 

from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. 

The park is located at 30 George Washington Carver Avenue. There is parking in the Stephens Lee Recreation Center parking lot. Lynx Bergdahl, from Bountiful Cities, will be guiding us. We will have some extra tools for folks to use as well as hand sanitizer, but any gloves, loppers, pruners or weeding tools you can bring are much appreciated. Masks are welcome but not required. 

Every month we focus on mulching, light tree and shrub pruning, picking up trash and clearing invasives. We occasionally do some planting depending on the season and what’s available. We will include a hands on demo of each technique as well as a tour of the park. Come give your time and support to Asheville's first edible forest ecosystem! We look forward to seeing you!

The community workdays being presented for the residents of the City of Asheville are in partnership with the City of Asheville.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Dr-George-Washington-Carver-Edible-Park-620672487948577

https://www.facebook.com/events/785375432504176/785375442504175/

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Community Garden
Day
and Tree Giveaway!

April 1, 2023

Come help plant the East End/Valley Street Community Garden on Saturday, April 1, 10am-noon! Presentations, garden resources and activities included. We will also be working in the Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park. A limited number of free plants and flowers will be available. Youth under 14 require parent on site. For questions about the East End/Valley Street Community Garden Day contact Stephens-Lee at (828)350-2058.

In addition, Asheville GreenWorks is sharing free native trees with East End/Valley Street neighbors in an effort to restore our urban tree canopy and provide benefits to residents such as shade, protection from soil and erosion, and improved air quality. There will be a limited number of beautiful native species available, including: Sweetgum, River Birch, White Oak, Yellow Poplar, and Virginia Pine. Come see them at the East End/Valley Street Community Garden Day on April 1, 10am-noon to receive your tree along with planting and care information. Please contact

Asheville GreenWorks at info@ashevillegreenworks.org

or 828-254-1776 with any questions.

The East End/Valley Street Community Garden is located across the parking lot from Stephens-Lee at 30 George Washington Carver Avenue.

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East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association Meeting

April 13, 2023

There will be an East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association Meeting held on Thursday, April 13 at 6pm, location TBA.

Masks are welcome but not required!

This meeting is for East End/Valley Street residents only. If you are not a resident and would like to present something to the neighborhood, please contact us (EastEndValleyStreet@gmail.com) so that we can see about fitting you into the agenda.

We hope to see you there!

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Bingo
at 
Stephens-Lee

April 15 and May 20, 2023

Come to Stephens-Lee for Bingo!

Prizes will be awarded to the

winner of each game. Win like never B4!  Light refreshments served.

Saturdays - April 15 and May 20

1pm to 2:30pm

All ages are welcome!

Contact Stephens-Lee for more information at (828)350-2058

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GALLERY

East End/Valley Street Working Together!

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Volunteers Stock 

East End/Valley Street 

Food Pantry

MLK Park Playground Dedication

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Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park Workday

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East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association
PO Box 7341
Asheville, NC 28802

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The East End is Rising!

Executive Board
President - Renée White
Vice President - Gwen Jones
Secretary - Laura McPherson
Treasurer - Roberta Allen
Assistant Treasurer - Jim Abbot
Assistant Treasurer - Sharon Greene
Member-at-Large - Jené "Lupie" Blake
Member-
at-Large - Nick Dugan
Member-
at-Large - Garland Walker
Member at Large - Helen Lindberg
Newsletter

Editor - Vera Williams 
 

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