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Description
Join us on Tuesday, May 20th, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Asheville Museum of History for a special program -- Documentary Screening: Black in Asheville and Q&A session with filmmaker Todd Gragg -- as we celebrate the closing of our exhibit The Photography of Andrea Clark: Remembering Asheville's East End Community.
About the Film:
Black In Asheville is a documentary that brings together Asheville residents and historians to recount Asheville’s Black history. A story that has to be preserved for generations yet to come. This film takes us back to the Antebellum Period and demonstrates in accurate fashion what life was like for slaves in Asheville. Further, the film explores the deplorable conditions of slaves during the Civil War and their transition to the Postbellum Period of Reconstruction, Jim Crow and Black Code Laws.
As slaves transitioned to freedmen after the Civil War, they continued to live a segregated existence filled with the violent threats designed to control free people, assuring that they were kept controlled. This film shows how the establishment of churches and schools was vital to the progression of Black life. It is important to tell these stories that history intentionally omitted so that future generations are made aware of the many important contributions.
This film raises the question, “How much better off are Blacks today in a supposedly non-segregated Asheville and seeks to define where do we go from here?”
About the Filmmaker:
Todd Gragg is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. He is a graduate of Asheville High School and a 1993 graduate of UNCA. He grew up in the close-knit community of Shiloh, where he spent much of his youth playing sports at the Shiloh Center. From a young age, Todd’s parents instilled in him the importance of looking out for his neighbors, particularly the elderly, by mowing their lawns and ensuring they had enough to eat. These experiences left a lasting impression on him and instilled a strong sense of community that he carries with him to this day.
Todd’s interest in history has led him to pursue a passion project called Black In Asheville, a film documentary that highlights Asheville’s often-overlooked Black history. Todd believes that it is important to tell theses stories that history has intentionally omitted so that future generations can be aware of the significant contributions made by Black people throughout history.
Todd’s future plans involve continuing to work on passion projects that will have a positive impact on the lives of people. He firmly believes in the power of community and is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to succeed.
Tickets:
$10 General Admission / FREE for Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) members. We also have no-cost, community-funded tickets available. We want our events to be accessible to as many people as possible. If you are able, please consider making a donation along with your ticket purchase. These donations are placed in our Community Fund, which allows us to offer tickets at no cost to those who could not attend otherwise. Tickets are limited for in-person lectures, so don't miss your opportunity to secure a spot!
Location:
The historic Smith-McDowell House, home to the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH), 283 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC, 28801
For questions about this event, email education@ashevillehistory.org or call the Asheville Museum of History (AMoH) at 828-253-9231.
Date & Time
Tue, May 20, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Venue Details
Asheville Museum of History
283 Victoria RoadAsheville, North Carolina 28801
