The YMI Cultural Center is offering a vibrant and meaningful slate of events in honor of Juneteenth, designed to uplift Black resilience, culture, wellness, and economic empowerment.
This year’s offerings create a rich tapestry of engagement, reflection, and celebration across The Block.
Kicking off the week is the Ujima Virtual 5K, taking place throughout the week of June 14 and culminating in an in-person community walk on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 10 a.m. The spirit of collective work and responsibility continues with the Ujima Health Fair Initiative, offering wellness screenings, health check-ups, and resources to inspire sustainable healthy living, following the model successfully launched during our Kwanzaa observance.
From June 16 through July 12, 2025, the YMI is hosting a pop-up art exhibition, “An America As Good As Its Promise,” in Suites A & B—with a special Juneteenth activity featuring music, libations, and root beer floats for all. The YMI’s main gallery will feature “And Still We Rise,” an evocative exhibition by local artist Jenny Pickens, celebrating the beauty and perseverance of Black identity.
Throughout the day on Juneteenth, June 19, 2025, the YMI will host timed walking history tours of our historic building—A Tour in Black Resilience—at 12, 2, and 4 p.m. These free tours will guide guests through the enduring legacy of the oldest Black cultural center in the nation. Register online at www.ymiculturalcenter.org/events.
The celebration extends across The Block beginning at 10 a.m., with food, vendors, and family-friendly festivities. Local partners including The Noir Collective and Eagle Market Street will also host walking tours highlighting the economic history and cultural significance of Black entrepreneurship in Asheville.
All event information, including times, locations, and ticket links, is available at www.ymiculturalcenter.org.
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