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: Twilight of a Neighborhood
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!”
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.
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!
EAST END
VALLEY STREET
Neighborhood Association
Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park Community Workday
September 24, 2021
Join us for another community workday at the Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park Friday, September 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. Alex Bergdahl, from Bountiful Cities, will be guiding us.
Please bring a mask to this event and expect to maintain social distance practices. 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.
This month we'll be focusing on mulching, light tree pruning, and as always, clearing invasives. Will include a hands on demo of each technique as well as a tour of the park. This will be a recurring event every fourth Friday of the month. 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
Stephens-Lee Community Block Party September Circus
September 17, 2021
Step right up and come to the
Stephens-Lee Community Block Party September Circus
on September 17
from 6pm to 9pm.
Juggling performers and instruction from 7pm to 8pm.
Tightrope walking, snow cones, popcorn and more!
Stephens-Lee is located at
30 George Washington Carver Avenue.
COVID's Impact On The African American Community Webinar
September 30, 2021
On September 30 at 6pm the E.W. Pearson Project Collaborative will host the
"COVID's Impact On The African American Community Webinar".
According to the Center for Disease Control, “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought social and racial injustice and inequity to the forefront of public health. It has highlighted that health equity is still not a reality as COVID-19 has unequally affected many racial and ethnic minority groups, putting them more at risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.” This phenomenon has been felt in the local Asheville and Buncombe County
areas as well.
This virtual program will include information on COVID-19, the effects of the virus as well as provide information on what efforts are being put in place to decrease the spread of the virus. There will be representatives from the local health community, community members, and individuals who have been personally impacted by COVID-19 speaking on the issue.
This event is free to attend; however, individuals do have to register in advance. To register visit: https://covid19impact.eventbrite.com
East End/Valley Street
Neighborhood
Meeting
October 14, 2021
There will be an East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association Meeting held on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at 6pm via Zoom! 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. To sign on to the meeting see Zoom details below:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85387825445?pwd=S2p1Q25mT21wU0x0eXVlWC9tTGgxdz09
Meeting ID: 853 8782 5445
Passcode: 546869
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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/koImCsDg0
We hope to see you there!
GALLERY
East End/Valley Street Working Together!
East End/Valley Street President
Renée White
2018 Asheville Volunteer
of the Year
and
2020 Cothinkk Leadership Award Winner
Volunteers Stock
East End/Valley Street
Food Pantry
MLK Park Playground Dedication
East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association
PO Box 7341
Asheville, NC 28802
Dr. George Washington Carver Edible Park Workday
Super Saturdays at Stephens-Lee
September 25, October 23 & November 27, 2021
Super Saturdays at Stephens-Lee.
A STEM based Saturday morning out. Each Saturday will explore different themes with loads of family friendly activities! Water Rockets, Magnetic Slime, DIY Boats, Lego Towers, and more!
Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov 27 Ages 6-12
10am-noon Online registration required Stephens-Lee Center