YMI Cultural Center

The YMI cultural center is a piece of American history founded here in Asheville that everyone should know about. It has been a cornerstone of the black community since the late 1800s and continues to be a beacon almost 130 years later. With ground floor retail spaces available to the community, they also host community learning and events. Get to know this hidden gem and cultural icon.

Great event space and cultural resource with ties to Asheville's African-American community. The venue itself is beautiful and one of Asheville's gems. The history contained within the building reveals the resiliency of Asheville's African-American community and also highlights the City's dark history of racial injustice. It's a great venue that locals and visitors alike should visit when possible.

Me and my husband and kids drove all the way from DC to visit this historic museum only to show up and it's closed for renovations yet the website says nothing about this. We were so disappointed. Do better! Update your website. Do not waste your time supporting a business that doesn't even have the decency to update their website.

I loved meeting Alexandria and all the wonderful people at Noir collective. This shop has such a great vibe and is supporting black business owners and entrepreneurs, giving a voice and a place for people of color to show their talents. A must see when in downtown Asheville.

This is a beautiful building with plenty of space for gathering. Gorgeous windows with lots of natural light and creaky old floors make it so charming. We practiced yoga here over the weekend and enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Recently, I gathered there to see my daughter's artwork presented amongst Asheville City Schools' displays of works. I've previously been there to Toastmasters meetings. It's a sweet place for meetings and I imagine that renting space there might be cheaper than other places in town.

BEST place to have our wedding. The staff is incredibly friendly and super flexible. We absolutely recommend this place to everyone. Their gallery has some very thoughtful and thought-provoking exhibits.

A cultural time capsule in the community that still stands the test of time. Holding space for the black presence in AVL through many cultural events and workshops. A great place to visit and support!

YMI, or the Young Mens Institute, is a historic, African American heritage and community center. Just a stones throw from city hall and behind the pack square museums. It is worth visiting. They host art often, community events, and they do an enormous amount for the community of Asheville. One young man I know helps children with homework after school. They put on the yearly Goombay festival too...not to be missed.