Press release from River Front Development Group:
“We are thrilled to be joining Berry Temple in its next chapter, a chapter that will honor the legacy of Berry Temple while also creating new opportunities for connection, education, and growth for African-Americans in Asheville,” said Marcell Proctor, President of River Front Development Group (RFDG).
“We appreciate the lease arrangement with UMC and their enthusiasm for our mission,” said Catherine Mitchell, Executive Director of RFDG.
RFDG will establish its headquarters at Berry Temple and both manage its existing projects and develop programming for the space at Berry Temple. Program plans include a science technology engineering arts and math (STEAM) program for children and a food pantry.
RFDG is a tax-exempt IRS Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Corporation (CDC). RFDG has served the community in Asheville and Buncombe County since 1996.
Leasing Berry Temple to use as headquarters and to provide program space is aligned with RFDG’s most recent projects, which focus on historic preservation and appreciation for African-American culture and legacies. RFDG is the only African-American owned organization that has built affordable housing in Asheville, RFDG has provided capacity building support to African-American small businesses, community organizations, and grassroots community projects.
In 2018, RFDG won capital funding for the African-American Cultural and Heritage District and the Stephens Lee African-American History Museum projects through a Tourism Product Development Fund grant from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA). In working with RFDG, the BCTDA is also supporting the development of the African-American Heritage project to honor, document, and share the history through physical trail markers and the development of a website on the ExploreAsheville.com platform.
The first phase of the museum is in the design stage thanks to a grant from the Asheville chapter of the American Institute of Architects and coordination with the Stephens-Lee Alumni Association. The museum will especially honor the students and staff of Stephens-Lee High School. The museum is scheduled to open in 2020. The trails and interpretive markers of the District are in the discovery (research) stage.
RFDG’s community service includes participation with the County’s African-American Heritage Commission and the Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust.
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