Asheville / BOONE

Art + Music

Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus 🏳️‍🌈
Founded in 1998, this LGBTQ+ chorus enriches the community through powerful performances that celebrate diversity and inclusion.

O’Henry’s Bar 🏳️‍🌈
Opened in 1976, O’Henry’s is the oldest gay bar in North Carolina, offering a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community with live entertainment and events.

Firestorm Books 🏳️‍🌈
This radical bookstore and co-op, established in 2008, focuses on LGBTQ+, feminist, and social justice literature, hosting events and discussions to foster progressive dialogue.

The Queer South Zine 🏳️‍🌈
A grassroots publication amplifying LGBTQ+ voices and stories, this zine highlights the intersection of queer identities and Southern culture.

Sly Grog Lounge
A unique arts and music venue in Asheville, hosting live performances and community events that spotlight local talent and diversity.

The Orange Peel
Since opening in 2002, this legendary concert venue has brought world-class artists to Asheville, fostering a vibrant music scene in the city.

Asheville Art Museum
Founded in 1948, this museum features American art with a focus on Southern Appalachian culture, offering rotating exhibits, educational programs, and community events.

Asheville Symphony
Established in 1960, the symphony presents an array of classical and contemporary performances, enriching Asheville’s cultural life.

YMI African American Cultural Center
This revitalized space within the historic YMI Cultural Center features exhibitions and programs that celebrate African American culture and history in Asheville.

Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
Opened in 1994, this center provides workshops and classes for artists of all skill levels, fostering creativity and craftsmanship in the ceramic arts.

Southern Highland Craft Guild – Folk Art Center
Since 1930, the Folk Art Center has showcased Appalachian crafts, hosting exhibitions, live demonstrations, and an extensive craft shop.

Appalachian Craft Center
This gallery features handmade works by regional artisans, from pottery to woodworking, celebrating the craft traditions of the Appalachian region.

Community

Shiloh Community
Founded in 1870 by formerly enslaved individuals, Shiloh is one of Asheville’s oldest historically Black neighborhoods. It has been a vital center of African American cultural and political life and continues to be a beacon of resilience and self-determination.

The Food Connection
Established in 2014, The Food Connection works to fight food insecurity in Asheville, particularly in marginalized communities, by redistributing surplus food and advocating for systemic changes in food access.

Homeward Bound of WNC
Founded in 1988, Homeward Bound works to end homelessness across Western North Carolina. It provides outreach, housing solutions, and support services, particularly for BIPOC and low-income communities.

Beloved Asheville
A grassroots organization founded in 2009, Beloved Asheville focuses on racial healing and justice, offering workshops and advocacy to address the inequities faced by Black and Indigenous communities.

The YMI Cultural Center
Founded in 1892, the YMI Cultural Center served as a social and cultural hub for Asheville’s Black community during the Jim Crow era. Today, it continues to offer programs and services that promote racial equity and preserve Black heritage.

Blue Ridge Pride 🏳️‍🌈
Since 2009, Blue Ridge Pride has celebrated Asheville’s LGBTQ+ community with its annual festival, which includes a parade, live music, local vendors, and advocacy resources.

Banks Ave. Bar 🏳️‍🌈
Banks Ave Bar brings vibrant energy to Asheville's South Slope Brewing District, offering a welcoming space for craft beer lovers and night owls. With drag shows, a lively dance floor, and pool tables, it creates an inclusive hub for entertainment and connection.

Asheville’s African American Heritage Trail
This self-guided trail highlights Asheville’s Black history, with landmarks including the former home of African American leaders, the old Stanton High School, and Asheville’s first Black church.

Beloved Community Center
A community-driven organization focused on racial and economic justice, the Beloved Community Center provides programs on voter education, civic engagement, and resources for marginalized groups.

MANNA FoodBank
Founded in 1983, MANNA FoodBank serves as a lifeline to individuals experiencing hunger in Western North Carolina. It distributes food to over 200 partner agencies, with a focus on BIPOC and low-income populations.

UU Church of Asheville
This Unitarian Universalist church has long been a sanctuary for social justice in Asheville. It supports civil rights and immigrant rights initiatives, including activism for Black Lives Matter.

The Latino Advocacy Coalition
The Latino Advocacy Coalition, based in Asheville, provides advocacy, education, and services to support the local Latino community. It focuses on issues such as immigration, labor rights, and civic participation.

Nazareth First Baptist Church
Founded in 1867, Nazareth First Baptist Church has been a central figure in Asheville’s Black community. It continues to advocate for justice, equality, and civil rights.

Local Resources

THEM in STEM 🏳️‍🌈
An initiative supporting LGBTQ+ individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, promoting diversity and inclusion in traditionally underrepresented fields.

Campaign for Southern Equality 🏳️‍🌈
Founded in 2011, this advocacy organization fights for LGBTQ+ rights across the South, offering legal resources, community-building initiatives, and educational support.

Battery Park Books & Champagne Bar 🏳️‍🌈
A charming bookstore and champagne bar in Asheville, Battery Park Books provides a curated selection of literature and a cozy space for conversation and community building.

Cornbread & Roses 🏳️‍🌈
Located near Asheville, this cooperative bookstore is dedicated to social justice and community engagement, focusing on creating an inclusive space for marginalized voices.

Community Foundation of Western NC
This philanthropic organization connects donors to causes that address regional challenges, with a focus on racial equity, education, and environmental sustainability.

Food + Drink

Lily’s Snack Bar 🏳️‍🌈
A locally beloved restaurant, Lily’s Snack Bar serves creative comfort food in a welcoming, inclusive environment, offering a taste of Asheville's local flavor.

Appalachian Mountain Brewery
This brewery blends craft beer with community initiatives, focusing on sustainability and local partnerships, and offering a unique selection of locally crafted brews.

Melanie’s
A staple of the Boone dining scene, Melanie’s serves fresh, locally sourced dishes with a focus on innovative Appalachian cuisine.

The Cardinal
Known for its inventive cocktails and casual menu, The Cardinal in Asheville offers a lively, local dining experience that mixes creativity with flavor.