Asheville government­, schools, nonprofits launch effort to address achievemen­t gap

A group representing government, education, business and nonprofit organizations is coalescing to form a community response to a severe racial achievement gap in Asheville City Schools. But it’s not yet clear how the initiative will define its goals and approach — and what resources it can attract to fund the effort.

Boys club: My Daddy Taught Me That youth program provides positive role models

If you think your day is busy, try keeping up with Keynon Lake. Lake parlayed his pro basketball and sports medicine experience into a career with Buncombe County Health and Human Services, where he is a community service navigator and prevention social worker. Driven to address the questions raised by his line of work, Lake penned the book My Daddy Taught Me That.

Red Grant headlines Funny “R” Us show at Winter Xscape

The Washington, D.C.-born, California-based comedian has never skied, snowboarded or been snow tubing. But after he headlines the Funny “R” Us comedy show on Friday, Jan. 30, at the Crowne Plaza Resort Expo Center — part of the annual Winter Xscape — he “might just slide down the hill on my coat like I used to do when I was a kid.”

Diversity through laughter

Laugh track: Local promoter Joe Greene believes that “the cultivation of diverse audiences can create positive exchanges and foster equity for all community residents in Asheville.” After a yearlong break, he’s back with a comedy show featuring Tyler Craig. Photo by Jon Farmer Asheville likes to celebrate diversity, and we’ve got the bumper stickers to […]