M.A.R.C.H Newsletter: April 2025

This e-newsletter shares what the MLK Association and its Community Outreach Providing Empowerment (COPE) Program is doing and offers other news, events, and stories that align with its efforts. Below are some items that are noteworthy. 

As always, feel free to share any or all of these items or the entire e-newsletter.

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Friends, 

In his speech “Loving Your Enemies” Dr. King said, “Democracy is the greatest form of government to my mind that man has ever conceived, but the weakness is that we have never touched it. Isn’t it true that we have often taken necessities from the masses to give luxuries to the classes? Isn’t it true that we have often in our democracy trampled over individuals and races with the iron feet of oppression? Isn’t it true that through our Western powers we have perpetuated colonialism and imperialism?”  

That the Trump administration supported by the Republican controlled Congress and encouraged by a conservative leaning Supreme Court is working to suppress efforts at equality, equity, and inclusion by pushing DOGE to gut federal agencies, cut funding to social programs, and issue divisive executive orders while calling for the US to seize the Panama Canal, invade Greenland, and annex Canada these things are showing us how perceptive Dr. King’s insights were. 

Though more Americans are beginning to become vocal in demanding our government officials do better in protecting, promoting, and providing policies and services that empowering instead of impoverishing citizens, there are still a number of folks who are cheering on the Trump administration’s actions.  

As advocates and activists of social justice and community progress through people’s empowerment we face the challenging task of working to strengthen the belief and practice of unity for all, including for those who don’t feel the same about us. In short, we must “love our enemies.”  

As Dr. King went on to explain, “Because if you hate your enemies, you have no way to redeem and to transform your enemies. But if you love your enemies, you will discover that at the very root of love is the power of redemption. You just keep loving people and keep loving them, even though they’re mistreating you. Here’s the person who is a neighbor, and this person is doing something wrong to you and all of that. Just keep being friendly to that person. Keep loving them. Don’t do anything to embarrass them. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with bitterness because they’re mad because you love them like that. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love, they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative.” 

Jonathan McCoy 
VP of the MLK Association 
Editor of the M.A.R.C.H newsletter

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April 12th – April 20th

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National News

• President Trump and his administration are using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportation of immigrants. article 
• The Trump administration is trying to create restrictions to applying the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment. article 
• It looks like loyalty to President Trump and not the US is a condition of staying employed in his administration. article 
• A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from banning transgender people from serving in the military. article 
• The Trump administration will not allow Medicare cover popular weight-loss treatments. article 
• The Social Security Administration will now require in-person identity checks for new and existing recipients. article 
• The United States is not a happy nation. article 
• Here is an interesting op-ed on why Gen Z men love Trump. article 
• The Trump administration revoked the legal status of thousands of Latin American and Haitian migrants who came to the US under a Biden-era sponsorship process. article 
• European travelers are being detained by US immigration officers. article 
• Foreign visitors to the US have dropped sharply. article

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Local News

• A 60-unit affordable housing community is opening in Asheville in 2026. article 
• Trees felled by Helene have fueled the recent wildfires in WNC. article 
• Costco, noted for its support of DEI, is coming to Asheville. article 
• Congressman Chuck Edwards faced a tough crowd at his in-person town hall on March 13th. article 
• VA Secretary Doug Collins got an earful when he visited Asheville. article 
• The US Department of Agriculture cut the grants Hickory Nut Gap and other WNC farms used to provide food to our local schools. article

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Join us for a special evening honoring the life and work of Wilma Dykeman at her 105th Birthday Anniversary Celebration.

‍Honoring a Legacy of Change

Wilma Dykeman was a trailblazer in environmental integrity, social justice, and the power of words. Her legacy lives on through the Wilma Dykeman Legacy’s talks, workshops, events, books, and programs designed to inspire and educate communities. This celebration will be an evening filled with music, food, presentations, and dancing, bringing together those who are passionate about continuing her mission.

• Doors open at 5 p.m., Program starts at 5:30 p.m.
• Each ticket holder will receive a copy of the Digital Keepsake “Birthday Card” (Journal)
• Sales end for tickets and sponsorships Thursday, May 15
• Childcare services will be available — more details coming soon.

Sponsor and Ticket information:https://www.wilmadykemanlegacy.org/events/party-wilma-dykemans-105th-copy

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Ticket, sponsor, vendor, and volunteer information can be found at: https://grindfestavl.com/

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State News

• NC Republican Jefferson Griffin’s effort to throw out 65,000 votes in his effort to win a seat on the NC Supreme Court received a major boost. article 
• One wonders if the NC General Assembly will be inspired by the actions of the state of Ohio’s legislature? article 
• Governor Stein wants the General Assembly to roll back upcoming tax rate cuts. article 
• Senate Bill 227 is moving through the General Assembly. Its goal is to eliminate DEI programs from NC K12 public schools. article 
• The NC REACH Act moving through the General Assembly will require students in the UNC university system and the community college system to take a US civics course to graduate. article

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Issues in Education

• The National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Women’s History Musuem, under development are under threat from the Trump administration. article 
• Harvard University joins the list of higher education institutions the Trump administration is financially pressuring to given in to their authoritative control. article 
• The US Supreme Court sides with the Trump administration in their move to cut funding for teacher training grants. article 
• The library at the US Naval Academy, following the Pentagon’s directive to remove books promoting DEI has purged about 400 books. article  Here is a link to a list of the books removed.

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Racism

• The Trump administration has not gone too far, yet, in restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs according to the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals. article 
• The Department of Defense quickly answer President Trump’s call to end DEI: 
  • The Pentagon removed and then restored a page honoring a Black Medal of Honor recipient. article  
  • At Arlington National Cemetery’s attempts to follow the Trump Administration’s DEI guidelines has caused it to erase portions of American History. article  This includes noted Civil Rights Movement warrior Medger Evers. article 
  • Articles about the famous World War II Navajo Code Talkers went missing on several military websites. article 
• Backpedaling from DEI is hurting Target’s bottom line. article 
• Google agrees to pay a $28 million to settle a lawsuit that it favored white and Asian workers. article 
• How musicians worked together to play in harmony despite President Trump’s anti-DEI executive order. article

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Reparations

• The Asheville and Buncombe County Community Reparations ComissionCommission webpage
• The Reparations Stakeholders Authority of Asheville has created the RSAA Hurricane Helene Relief Fund.Here is the link to the donation page.
• The Asheville Racial Justice Coalition (website)

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Monthly Community Events

Hood Huggers offers a fun way to learn about the history of Black Asheville. They work on 17 different community projects as well as organizing volunteer opportunities at the Peace Garden 47 Bryant St. Assheville, NC 28806. There are regular Community volunteer days. The Farm stand is open on Fridays from 3pm-7pm every week. Get details about how to book a tour, volunteering or taking part in their other community actions here.

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Recources: Community Care in WNC

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The first East End/Valley Street Neighborhood Association meeting of 2025 is Thursday April 10th at 6pm with the location TBD. To stay updated visit their website.

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Monthly Meeting, Mon. April 7th 6:30pm-8pm
Linwood Crump Shiloh Center (map)

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Suffering from Burnout?

Aisha Adams is a writer, equity advocate, and community leader who has dedicated her career to empowering communities and fostering inclusivity. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Aisha is the founder of Aisha Adams Media, where she develops innovative programs and initiatives that address critical issues such as affordable housing, mental health, and environmental justice.

In mission-driven work, it’s common to face multiple challenges at once. You can be dealing with funding uncertainties, leadership transitions, and the impacts of natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires all at the same time.  

While strategic plans are helpful, they aren’t meant to fully prepare us for every obstacle that will come our way. During transition, it’s important to focus on what matters for the organization—its people, culture, and performance. These are the critical parts of the organization that keep it connected to the communities it serves, help us stay focused on our mission, and allow us to deliver our mission even in difficult times. 

Are you a leader navigating disruption and feeling the weight of burnout? Join Armstrong McGuire’s Wellness Wednesday series. I’ll be there next month on Wednesday, May 21, sharing insights on Tiny Shifts—small changes that make a big impact. Register here.

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Resources of Interest

• Ways To Learn & Take Action: The Listing of Ways to Take Action and Be Informed was created in February. Many people have expressed, in emails or in conversation, that they are looking for ways to resist and oppose the efforts of those who are working to reverse the progress that has been made in the US over the years. 
• Readers can save and/or bookmark this “Listing” as a way to access ongoing opportunities to take action and learn about a variety of social justice issues. This saved document can then be viewed independently of these periodic e-newsletters. Since the listing is a google doc, changes will be updated as new actions and opportunities become available.
• The Color of Asheville’s Black-Owned Businesses and Community directory  
  The NC African American Heritage Commission (AAHC) created in 2008, the commission works across the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to achieve the mission of preserving, protecting, and promoting North Carolina’s African American history, art, and culture, for all people. website 
• The Freedom to Learn Network is a coalition of leading civil rights and social justice organizations; national teachers unions; education advocates; parents; students; and other interested parties across the nation and world focused on fighting against attempts to limit antiracist education in US schools. website 
• The North Carolina State Capitol Historic Site has begun a “From Naming to Knowing” project. The goal of this project is to name and, as much as possible, share the stories of the enslaved men who built and maintained the State Capitol between 1833 and 1865. https://namingtoknowing.org/ 
• The National Museum of African American History & Culture has 500,000 pages of Freedman’s Bureau records available online. https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/freedmens-bureau 
• The Official mapping Police Violence database – https://mappingpoliceviolence.us/ 

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Remembrance Projects Nationally & Locally

The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has been the important partner not only to Buncombe County but to all communities willing and working to address their history of racial injustice. As in each edition of this e-newsletter, we will continue to highlight several items from the EJI. 

1. EJI is currently working with nearly 100 communities to advance Community Remembrance Projects. More than half have erected historical markers. You can find out more about the communities that have erected EJI sponsored Community Remembrance Project markers here.
2. You can view what is on each of the markers for Buncombe County, front and back, here as compiled by the Equal Justice Initiative. To see the markers, go to the following sites: for Mr. John Humphries – College & Spruce Streets; for Mr. Bob Brackett – Triangle Park; and for Mr. Hezekiah Rankin – Craven Street & Emma Road.
3. The full stories about each of the three men who were lynched are captured in this document. 
4. The Equal Justice Initiative shared this webpage of the Historical Markers Installation Ceremony In Asheville on October 30th of 2021.

     Please remember:

1. Do you want to stay connected to the work of the Equal Justice Initiative? Sign up for updates about their work here.
2. Every day of the year offers important racial justice history. If you want to get a daily reminder of that history, the Equal Justice Initiative offers this sign-up. Go here to get today’s reminder.

The NC Black Alliance offers this webpage with a page entitled – “Access to Healthcare: What You Need to Know” along with other pages that have articles and information concerning the Black community.