RSAA - Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville

Happy Birthday to our amazing Executive Director, Torre Garrison! Your unwavering dedication, vision, and leadership have been instrumental in shaping RSAA into what it is today. Your commitment to our mission and the positive impact you’ve made in our community inspire us all. Thank you for your hard work, passion, and the countless hours you invest to ensure our success. We are truly grateful to have you leading our team. Wishing you a fantastic birthday filled with joy and celebration!

Join us for the RSAA Sneaker Gala on September 7, 2024 at 7pm. Experience an elegant and innovative evening as we kick off our fundraising campaign in a stylish setting. Don't miss out – reserve your tickets today! Visit Rsaasheville.org for more information.

Celebrating Black Music Month! June is Black Music Month, a time to honor and celebrate the incredible contributions of Black musicians, artists, and creators who have shaped and defined the world of music. From jazz to hip-hop, soul to R&B, and country to folk, Black music is the heartbeat of our culture and a testament to our community's talent and innovation. The origins of Black Music Month date back to 1979, when President Jimmy Carter first declared it a national celebration. Since then, we've continued to honor the rich legacy of Black music that has profoundly influenced and enriched the global musical landscape. From the soulful sounds of legends like Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye to the revolutionary beats of hip-hop pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and Run-D.M.C., and the soulful storytelling of country artists like Charley Pride and folk icons like Odetta, Black music has been at the forefront of cultural and social change. At RSAA, we recognize the power of music to inspire change, uplift spirits, and bring people together. This month, let's celebrate the artistry, resilience, and innovation that define Black music. Join us in honoring the legends, supporting new voices, and embracing the sounds that continue to drive our journey toward justice and healing. #RsaAsheville #RSAA #Reparations #BlackAsheville #Asheville #RacialJustice #ReparativeJustice #SpaceShifters #BlackJoy #liberation #BlackMusicMonth #RSAA #Reparations #BlackJoy #CulturalHeritage #MusicIsLife #CommunityHealing

Celebrating Black Queer Pride! This Pride Month, we honor and uplift the Black queer community, whose brilliance, creativity, and love have been vital to both the broader movement for equality and justice and the ongoing fight for Black liberation and reparations. At RSAA, we recognize that true liberation means embracing and supporting all identities within our community. Black Queer Pride is a powerful reminder of the intersectionality that strengthens our collective journey toward justice, reparations, and healing. Join us in celebrating the contributions and experiences of Black queer individuals. Let’s continue to fight for a world where everyone can live with dignity, joy, and pride. ✊🏽🌈 #BlackQueerPride #PrideMonth #RSAA #Reparations #BlackJoy #Intersectionality #LGBTQ #CommunityHealing #RsaAsheville #RSAA #liberation #SpaceShifters #Asheville #RacialJustice #Reparations #BlackJoy #ReparativeJustice #BlackAsheville

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! At RSAA, we recognize that mental health is a crucial part of our journey toward healing and justice. As we work towards Black reparations in Asheville and Buncombe County, we understand that addressing the trauma caused by systemic racism is essential for our community's well-being. Historical Trauma: Generations of Black individuals have faced the devastating impacts of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism. This collective trauma has deeply affected mental health across our community. Restorative Justice: Reparations aren't just about financial compensation—they're about restoring dignity, acknowledging past harms, and providing the resources needed for holistic healing. Community Healing: By prioritizing mental health in our reparations work, we aim to create safe spaces where Black voices are heard, and mental well-being is supported. Access to mental health services, community support, and educational programs are all vital components. Solidarity and Support: We call on our SpaceShifters (allies) to join us in advocating for mental health resources tailored to the needs of Black communities. Together, we can break the stigma surrounding mental health and champion policies that promote equity and healing. This month, let's amplify the conversation about mental health and reparations. Share your stories, support one another, and continue pushing for justice and equity. Remember: Healing is a form of resistance, and our mental well-being is a priority. #RsaAsheville #RSAA #Reparations #BlackAsheville #Asheville #RacialJustice #ReparativeJustice #SpaceShifters #BlackJoy #liberation #mentalhealthawareness

How do we reconcile the harms of our past in order to build the future we long for? In the US, media participation in a legacy of anti-Black racism and harm enabled the nation’s newspapers to become financially viable. Today, many journalists and news outlets have joined a longstanding movement to transform the media so that it can live up to its highest ideals. 🗓️ This FRIDAY, in conversation with Mandy Van Deven, Racial Equity in Journalism (REJ) Fund Program Director Alicia Bell will invite us to (re)imagine what journalism would look like in a world where Black folks are able to not just tell their stories, but own them. RSVP at the link. https://lnkd.in/geCHuawe #MediaReparations #BIPOCMedia #BlackMedia

Join us in welcoming Sekou Coleman as the new Community Organizer at RSAA! We asked Sekou two questions: 1. What motivated you to want to join RSAA? 2. What does Reparative Justice and/or Reparations mean to you? "I joined RSAA in order to be actively involved in working towards making reparative justice a sustainable and meaningful reality for the Black community of Asheville. I believe that reparative justice requires an intentional process that seeks to holistically repair and restore the harms experienced by Black people in the US due to a history of systemic oppression that includes slavery, reclamation, Jim Crow segregation, redlining, urban renewal and more. I believe reparative justice must actively engage the entire country in learning and acknowledging what actually happened, how it was harmful and why moving forward differently is vital for ALL future generations to thrive.” from Sekou #RSAA #Reparations #AshevilleReparations

Currently reading “The reparations & LGBTQ+ rights movements are aligned. Let’s harness the power of a united front.” on LGBTQ Nation by Maurice Asare and Lyell Sakaue. "Over the past year, we have been part of a team responsible for new research from The Bridgespan Group and Liberation Ventures on the role that philanthropy can play in supporting the reparations movement and fostering a culture of repair." “When we consider Black queerness and Black trans identity, for example, there is a specific arena of redress for these groups,” says Malkia Devich-Cyril, a Reparations Narrative Lab member. “In what ways did enslavement, Black Codes, and Jim Crow prevent the free expression of Black gender identity, and what was the cost? We have to be able to calculate the cost.” Making reparations real will require unity across many fronts. https://lnkd.in/guvxzY4M

Exciting News! RSAA is hiring! Ready to be a catalyst for change? Join us at RSAA as a Community Organizer and help drive positive transformation in Asheville and Buncombe County! We're seeking a proactive individual with a passion for reparative justice and social progress, tailored to the unique environment of Buncombe County and Asheville. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a real difference! Apply by Friday, March 15th, 9 AM ET, and be part of the movement for a better future! https://lnkd.in/d6VUDZi5 #socialjustice #reparativejustice #jobopening #RSAA #ashevillenc

The emergence of "reparationist" as a potential identity in the reparations movement is intriguing. It raises questions about its evolution and whether it could gain similar significance to established identities like "feminist" or "abolitionist." The personal journeys leading people to embrace this cause are noteworthy. Contemplating these narratives prompts reflection on the role of identity in propelling social change. Can identifying as a reparationist deepen commitment to the cause and foster broader societal transformation? Additionally, the debate over whether Black reparationists should prioritize educating allies or focusing inwardly on community building highlights the complexity of this movement. Thank you, Trevor Smith, for bringing these questions to the forefront. https://lnkd.in/eT4wPEkQ