3 years.

It’s definitely a milestone. Opening during the pandemic may have seemed counterintuitive AND when we think back on that decision, it was the right thing to do. The journey of Noir Collective AVL began as Ajax’s mission to serve the Black creatives and entrepreneurs in our community and to preserve the story of our region, specifically the area surrounding YMI Cultural Center, which has been fondly remembered as The Block. The Block was one of several places where Black people lived, worked, and most of all thrived.  

 While we were not so fortunate to have experienced The Block here in Asheville, we are certainly familiar with the painful truths of Black cities across America that suffered in the same way that Black Asheville has by the effects of serial forced displacement, like urban (removal) renewal, and now gentrification.  Buncombe County Special Collections is one of a few places in Asheville where one can trace the history of this area to the times before our ancestors were forced here, when the land was occupied by Cherokee people. “Since at least 8,000 B.C., people were residing, celebrating, and tending the lands alongside the river waters. Ancient Cherokee sites abound on what is currently downtown Asheville and the Biltmore Estate” (Tzedek Social Justice Fund). 

For 3 years, we’ve been holding and sharing the stories of what The Block used to be for Black natives of Asheville. Under YMI’s roof, we created a Black-owned space in Asheville for Black creatives and entrepreneurs to connect with each other and the community. We’ve collaborated with other organizations to create multiple streams of active and passive income. As we use the name, The Block, we keep in mind all the businesses who collaborated and thrived here before us. We honor that they paved the way for us to exist.

As we walk into the future, our backward glance shows us the value of what we are offering. Noir Collective AVL is the only Black-owned boutique, art gallery, and bookstore in Asheville. We feel so confident about a collaborative future that we want to see more Black-owned businesses and are colluding with several organizations and agencies to make it happen! If you are a Black creative or entrepreneur and are interested in building, growing, or expanding your business or have a business idea that you would like to see manifest, let us know. The next cohort of entrepreneurs will begin soon. email: noircollectiveavl@gmail.com

Noir + Mountain BizWorks  + YMI + Brandy Mills Consulting

+ EMSDC + JD Ellison. We are all coming together for YOU!