Blue Note Junction

Hood Huggers Foundation and Asheville Creative Arts are partnering to create Blue Note Junction, a one-of-a-kind health and business incubator within one of Asheville’s oldest African American communities. The project is located less than a block from Haywood Road in the heart of walkable West Asheville; it will serve as a bridge between the historical Burton Street neighborhood and the busy Haywood Road Corridor. The Blue Note Junction project plans to celebrate African American artists, writers, and musicians in the Appalachian region, create job opportunities, support local businesses, and serve as a hub for community events. Hood Huggers Foundation requested support for the project’s Phase I construction, including an outdoor event venue, an open-air market featuring BIPOC makers and growers, accessible gardens, and a greenhouse.

Award: $500,000

Timeline: October 2024 – March 2025