In this WomanUP Workshop, Marta Alcala-Williams will lead us in deepening our practice of racial equity principles. Through example scenarios, we’ll examine the impacts of racism, how white supremacy shows up in organizations, and how individuals can respond. This workshop recognizes that each individual is on their own racial equity journey.

This interactive workshop is being hosted virtually, via Zoom.  All attendees registered for the August 19th workshop are automatically included in the registration for October. 27th. Attendees will receive the Zoom link two days prior to the event.

About our speaker:

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.

September-November 2021 (6 Thursdays/Fridays) Create an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six, full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals. Gain new insights into PR & marketing strategy, branding, budgeting, online content creation, video creation and use and social media.

Traditional networking events can be aaawwwwkward! But we have fun activities that make it easier to connect with other women entrepreneurs.
Connecting is important and here’s why:
* First, having support and community in your business leads to higher success rates.
* When women entrepreneurs come together, more knowledge is shared, doors opened, and power multiplied.
* Having a business bestie to ask “How did you handle that situation?” Or being able to share a win in your business is the best.
* Finally, It’s just way more fun to be connected with other like-minded, forward thinking, go-getting women!
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at plrconnectevents.com

September-November 2021 (6 Thursdays/Fridays) Create an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six, full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals. Gain new insights into PR & marketing strategy, branding, budgeting, online content creation, video creation and use and social media.

Please join us on Wednesday, November 3rd as our own Riverbird Research will present a snapshot of key economic indicators and demographic shifts occurring in the Asheville Metro area. A closer look at living costs including the housing market will be examined, as well as the importance of our economic development strategic plan, AVL 5×5, and recent successes strengthening the Asheville economy.

This year, in partnership with the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board, Dr. Chris Laney with Economic Modeling Specialists Burning Glass will join us to present an in-depth look at labor market trends affecting businesses nationwide. Dr. Laney is a senior workforce strategist who specializes in workforce and economic development and strategic workforce planning. He works on projects related to industry strategies, labor market demand, and worker availability for workforce development boards throughout the U.S., as well as talent pipeline strategies and legislative priorities.

Since 2010, the Asheville Area Arts Council, has convened the Creative Sector Summit– the region’s only creative industry-specific annual conference.

Planned in partnership with the Arts Coalition, this one-day conference seeks to address major issues impacting the local creative sector. The arts community is currently navigating many challenges, including: racial equity in the arts, the benefits and burdens of local tourism, ongoing pandemic impacts, and the growing gap between wages and cost of living.

The summit will attempt to address these topics through a series of four daytime panels at the Wortham Center. The conference will conclude with an evening State of the Arts Address which will include the presentation of the inaugural John Cram Arts Leadership Award (aka The Crammy).

Arts Equity

Moderated by Different Strokes! Performing Arts Collective Managing Artistic Director Stephanie Hickling Beckman
Panelists:

• Asheville Writers in the Schools & Community Executive Director Sekou Coleman
• UNC Asheville Drama Department Chair Lise Kloppel
• Professional Photographer and Fine Artist Micah Mackenzie
• Self-Taught Artist Jenny Pickens

In the wake of last year’s protests, many organizations are working to be more equitable and inclusive. But, are we approaching this in the right way? What does authentic change look like? Panelists will attempt to address these questions and identify the current systems within the creative sector which are limiting racial equity.

Sustainable Tourism

Moderated by Echo Mountain Recording Studio Manager Jessica Tomasin
Panelists:

• Asheville Area Arts Council Executive Director Katie Cornell
• Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Vice President of Community Engagement Pat Kappas
• Horse & Hero and The Big Crafty Founder/ Owner Justin Rabuck
• Wedge Brewery General Manager and River Arts District Business Association Chair Lucious Wilson

This fall, Thrive Asheville launched an Ideas to Action Leadership Forum, a cohort of more than 30 diverse community leaders who will study the impacts of tourism in-depth, then develop a plan for sustainable solutions. Since Asheville’s vibrant arts scene is a major tourism driver, this panel looks at sustainable tourism through the lens of the creative sector. What is the role the local creative sector could/ should play in sustainable tourism?

Pandemic Impacts

Moderated by The Orange Peel/ Rabbit Rabbit Managing Partner Liz Whalen Tallent
Panelists:

• United Way School Partnerships Manager Marsha Almodovar
• City of Asheville Community Event Manager Jon Fillman
• Wortham Center for the Performing Arts Managing Director Rae Geoffrey
• Artist and Different Wrld Founder Honey Simone

Buncombe County’s 74 creative industries were responsible for over 14,000 jobs and $1.6 B in industry sales in 2019. But last year, over 1,300 jobs were lost in the Arts & Entertainment industry alone– the greatest % of job loss from any industry in BC. Many arts businesses endured over 14 months of closure due to state and local health restrictions, and now arts businesses are on the front lines– enforcing mask mandates, vaccine checks, and COVID testing. The panel takes a closer look at the challenges the arts sector is facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative Wages

Moderated by Craft Your Commerce Program Director Gwynne Rukenbrod Smith
Panelists:

• Venture Asheville Director and Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Entrepreneurship Jeff Kaplan
• East Fork CEO and Co-Founder Connie Matisse
• Just Economics Executive Director Vicki Meath
• Curve Theory Owner/ AIGA Chair Reggie Tidwell
  

In 2019, the cost of living in Buncombe County was 1% above the national average and the second-highest in the state, and by 2020, it had changed to 6% above the national average and the highest in the state, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research as reported by the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. Wages on average were also 16% below state averages and 30% below national averages. These discrepancies are even higher when looking at most of the top creative occupations. Panelists will discuss how the creative sector might work proactively to address this growing issue.

Our Foundations business planning class helps guide ideas from concept to reality in a participatory, supportive learning environment.

Join a cohort of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to gain an aerial perspective of your vision and the comprehensive business skills necessary to help bring your visions into reality. Participants will gain a clear aerial perspective of their business operations, financials, research and development, and marketing strategies. They will leave the course with a comprehensive business plan, a clear vision for their business, and concrete tasks for future work.

Throughout the class, emphasis will be placed on developing the social capital of the group. Participants will be encouraged to gather feedback from their peers, creating a strong network of deep support and synergy. For more info, visit the Foundations Business Planning overview page.

September-November 2021 (6 Thursdays/Fridays) Create an online marketing communications strategy and powerhouse digital toolbox by completing six, full-day workshops taught by expert marketing and public relations professionals. Gain new insights into PR & marketing strategy, branding, budgeting, online content creation, video creation and use and social media.