The City of Asheville’s approach starts by recognizing that the disparities we observe today result from overtly racist and sexist policies in the past combined with present-day policies and procedures that, while not overtly racist or sexist, nevertheless actively perpetuate those disparities. Addressing the combined impact of these factors requires both internal and external work and, importantly, will take sustained effort over time.
The 2019-2020 fiscal year is the first year of operation of the newly renamed and reorganized Asheville Business Inclusion Office, following the disparity study of 2018. Starting July 1, 2019, the Office is following this plan.
Read more about the Asheville Business Inclusion Initiative.