We’ve heard and been learning the importance of taking steps to be more diverse and inclusive. We’re ready to move forward — but what are the next steps?

Join us for an in-person event inspiring, encouraging and supporting women in business! We will hear from three unique women who live and work right in our community as they share their perspectives on personal accountability, transparency, intentionality, and resources that help them grow and thrive. Words and language matters — now more than ever. Hear these women share practical ways to apply principles of inclusion in the workplace and the community.

This even will be hosted at Crowne Plaza’s Expo Center, and all required health safety precautions will be observed. We invite Chamber members and non-members to join us! Register individuals (open seating) or reserve a table for 8 guests.

For those who are unable to attend an in-person event, we welcome you to join us virtually. Special thanks to Her Two Cents Podcast for making this virtual opportunity possible! The ticket price is the same for virtual attendees, and we will send you the virtual link on May 18th.

Registration will close at noon on May 18th.

Workshop Agenda

8:00 – 8:30 am      Start the morning with registration and check-in, and a light breakfast by Celine & Company Catering “On Broadway”

8:30 – 9:00 am      Make business connections; build relationships with other attendees

9:00 – 10:00 am    Inspirational panel discussion, moderated by Victoria Dunkle of AdventHealth

10:00 – 10:30 am  Q&A

Our Panelists:

Aisha Adams is an influencer with a heart for community economic development. She champions social change advocates, thought leaders, and courageous disruptors. As founder and CEO of the Aisha Adams Media LLC and partner organization Equity Over Everything, Aisha works to advance equity by closing gaps in entrepreneurship and home ownership in low-resource communities. Aisha’s other ventures include The Asheville View, a daytime-style talk show which addresses “hot button” issues in town, Nappy Thoughts, a personal blog followed by thousands of people on social media, and The Entrepreneurial Accelerator, a business bootcamp tying fledgling businesses to community resources. Aidsha earned her bacheclor’s degree in English from University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her Master of Science degree in Adult Education from Capella University. Aisha has received the Tzedeck Brilliance Award, the Martin Luther King Award, WomanUP Woman Entrepreneur, Best in Business Award and the Mountain BizWorks Jane Renfroe Award.

Marta Alcava-Williams

Marta is a Latina woman who has lived, worked, and invested in the Asheville community for the last 30  years. Through her commitment to building deep relationships, using resources creatively to create true opportunities, and communicating the equity lens in each of her formal and informal roles, Marta contributes to the work of racial equity/justice and the wellbeing of her community. She is the co-founder of the Marvelous Math Club, an affirmative and collaborative space that focuses on developing leadership skills, building relationships, supporting homework completion, and celebrating math in one of the Asheville Housing Authority (AHA) communities. Marta started a Motheread group in another AHA  community seven years ago which has created an amazingly powerful group of black, brown, and white women who uplift one another and are charting new territory on building true multi-racial communities.  Marta is currently Executive Director of Equity for Asheville City Schools. She is on the leadership team for WNC Racial Equity Collaborative, contributes to a number of boards,  and has been a member of the Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Taylor Bell

A long-time Asheville resident, Taylor is proud to be an alumni of UNC Asheville after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Business Administration. She co-owns and remains active in a family business with her father. In August 2016, Taylor joined the Colton Groome & Company team and is now the Operations Manager. In 2021, Taylor was awarded the “Rising Star” award from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce WomanUp Committee. Outside of work, Taylor is an active supporter of her community with organizations such as United Way, Our Turn to Play executive committee member at UNC Asheville, a volunteer with Mountain Area Pregnancy Services, as well as a member of the UNC Asheville Department of Management & Accountancy Advisory Board. Taylor enjoys spending time with her husband, Jordan, and loving on her three daughters – Evelyn, Lyla, & Audrey.

Go-getting and forward-thinking women entrepreneurs – Join us for this free event featuring speed connecting activities!
Speed Connecting activities are fun, encouraging, inspiring and lead to opportunities for yourself and other women entrepreneurs. So join us at Focal Point in downtown Asheville, NC for some food, fun, and connection. And you just might meet your new business bestie! This event is Free, but you must register at https://www.plrconnectevents.com/registration-form to attend.
This project receives support from NC IDEA.

Speaker(s): Gary Heisey

Co-Sponsor(s): Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, SCORE

Webinar info will be emailed after registration.

In celebration of Small Business Week, join the Chamber for an inspiring program featuring three area entrepreneurs. Hear about how and why they decided to take the risk and grow an idea into successful business. Learn about the challenges, opportunities, set backs and community involvement that have propelled them to their current successes. Featuring: Bill McKibbin Henderson Oil Company Caroline Long St. Gerard House Randy Dunn Zen Hen Cafe

register by Friday, May 21st

A modern manufacturing plant is a complex organism involving a wide range of jobs. Learn about the roles and functions you’ll find in most manufacturing plants and how they interact and about the many promising career paths at Mills Manufacturing.

Guest Speaker: John Oswald, President & CEO, Mills Manufacturing