Asheville, North Carolina • Established 2021
We Start, Grow, and Expand Black Businesses.
Black Wall Street AVL is a grassroots business incubator helping Black entrepreneurs access coaching, connections, opportunities, and community support to build sustainable businesses and help revitalize Black Wall Street.
Our Impact
Building Businesses. Creating Opportunity.
- Hours of Mentoring and Coaching
- 150+ Hours of Mentoring and Coaching
- Revenue Generated
- $1M+ Revenue Generated
- Businesses Helped
- 135+ Businesses Helped
- Jobs Created
- 24+ Jobs Created
These outcomes reflect Black Wall Street AVL’s commitment to helping entrepreneurs gain the support, connections, and opportunities needed to move their businesses forward.
Our Story
Rooted in Asheville. Built for Economic Opportunity.
Honoring History
Building Wealth Together
Black Wall Street AVL began in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, as local leaders responded to economic disparities affecting Asheville’s Black business community. The work grew from a shared belief that Black entrepreneurs needed a dedicated space to access resources, build relationships, and receive the support necessary to thrive.
Founder Dr. J. Hackett, a reentry citizen and entrepreneur, helped launch the original initiative with support from the NC IDEA Foundation. The first program expected to enroll 20 Black businesses and generate $250,000 in collective revenue. Instead, 74 businesses participated, generating more than $1 million and creating 22 jobs.
In 2021, Black Wall Street AVL became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, continuing its work to bridge economic gaps and remove barriers for entrepreneurs of color.
What We Do
Programs Built Around Opportunity, Connection, and Resilience.
GATE Program
A tourism-focused entrepreneurship program providing cohort learning, individualized coaching, industry connections, readiness education, retreats, referrals, and support with barriers that can prevent business growth.
10,000 Connections
An initiative connecting Black and Brown-owned businesses with people, partners, and opportunities across tourism, hospitality, and arts and culture to increase supplier diversity and revenue generation.
Black Wall Street Jr.
A youth entrepreneurship initiative helping Black young people explore their gifts, develop business ideas, and strengthen practical math, reading, critical-thinking, and local-history skills.
The REACH Hub
A community-centered resilience and recovery hub connecting individuals and small businesses with wellness support, disaster preparedness, financial coaching, job training, digital access, and recovery resources.
Our Signature Annual Event
GRINDfest
GRINDfest is Black Wall Street AVL’s signature annual celebration of Black business, entrepreneurship, culture, and community resilience. The festival gives Black entrepreneurs, artists, and families a high-visibility place to connect, build relationships, reach customers, and celebrate the economic strength of the community.
Invest in Black Businesses and Stronger Communities.
Your support helps entrepreneurs access coaching, connections, opportunities, and the resources needed to build sustainable businesses and lasting community wealth.
Get in Touch
Contact Black Wall Street AVL
Visit
Black Wall Street AVL8 River Arts Place
Asheville, NC 28801
Mailing Address
PO Box 2537Asheville, NC 28802