Asheville, a small southern city, has taken an unprecedented step by issuing a public apology for its historical involvement in segregation and urban renewal. Local leaders committed to policy reforms and community investments to address past injustices.
Heralded as a potential “blueprint” and “national model,” Asheville’s initiative to confront systemic racism was celebrated by many. In 2022, the city and county established the Community Reparations Commission (CRC), consisting of 25 Black leaders, to develop a comprehensive plan for reparations, finalized in late 2025.
However, progress has stalled. The Asheville City Council has not acted on the 39 recommendations put forth by the CRC, largely due to shifting political dynamics since the George Floyd protests. This reluctance is evident as candidates prepare for next week’s primary election, where issues like affordable housing and hurricane recovery dominate discussions, overshadowing reparations.
Mayor Esther Manheimer, seeking her fourth term, attributes the delay to challenges posed by the Trump Administration. “We have a difficult landscape with this administration, unfortunately,” she remarked in an interview with BPR. “I’m talking about the president and on a federal level. Certainly we’re one of many communities being scrutinized. And we don’t take that lightly. I think we need to be very careful in how we proceed. But we’re committed to the community to carry out the recommendations of the Reparations Commission.”
“Certainly we’re one of many communities being scrutinized. And we don’t take that lightly. I think we need to be very careful in how we proceed. But we’re committed to the community to carry out the recommendations of the Reparations Commission.”
Federal scrutiny coincides with Asheville’s dependence on federal support following the $1.1 billion damage caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024. The city has only received a fraction of that funding, prompting local leaders, including Manheimer, to seek additional aid in Washington, D.C.
Is it money or politics?
Asheville’s reparations efforts have attracted significant attention from federal and state governments. The Department of Housing and Urban Development refused to authorize a $225 million recovery grant until the city removed a clause prioritizing minority-owned businesses. The U.S. Department of Justice has also challenged the CRC’s recommendations as potentially violating federal civil rights law.
Mayor Manheimer, when asked about prioritizing reparations, cited budgetary concerns and the need to provide essential services. “We don’t know what our revenue picture looks like quite yet and I think we’re going to take a hard look at whether or not that’s something that we can prioritize going forward because we do need to deliver core services to the community and that’s our priority,” she stated.
Jason Sandford
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Ashevegas
Harvard Kennedy School professor Cornell Williams Brooks emphasizes that reparations are not unlawful, citing historical precedents like the reparations to Japanese Americans post-World War II. “The politics of this may not be popular relative to this administration. That’s not the same thing as saying it is unlawful,” he asserted. He argues that cities have the right to address historical injustices through lawful means.
“Under legal review”
Asheville and Buncombe County have already invested $780,000 in the reparations process, with $6.4 million set aside for future projects. However, legal challenges have stalled implementation. The CRC’s recommendations, including direct payments and an Asheville Black Mental Health Network, remain under review.
Council member Kim Roney, running for mayor, supports advancing the reparations project, acknowledging the current political challenges. She sees potential in universal early childhood education and equitable contracting practices as legal paths forward.
“We get a little frozen”
In the Asheville City Council race, opinions on reparations vary. Incumbent Antanette Mosely believes the increased scrutiny of race-based programs is not new. “I think it’s more permissible to vocalize it loudly,” she stated, adding that she wants the city to act more swiftly on reparations.
“While I admire the intent of the reparations effort, years in, I lament the time, energy and resources wasted by the execution. We’ve seen our city give $175,000 to an out-of-state consultant for subpar work, be sued more than once for discrimination in its DEI efforts and appropriating over $2 million to a fund with no clear legal plan on how to spend it.”
Council member Sheneika Smith, seeking another term, expresses caution, highlighting the risks in the current political climate. Local architect and candidate Scott Burroughs has criticized the reparations initiative, labeling it ineffective and costly.
Keith Young’s Facebook page
Former councilman Keith Young, who initiated the reparations resolution in 2020, is running again, emphasizing the need for durable and effective solutions. Newcomer Tiffany DeBellot, also a CRC member, advocates for a “citywide youth plan” as a step toward systemic change.
“The moral case has not changed, but the environment around anything labeled DEI has become more hostile and more legally contentious. That reality doesn’t mean you abandon the work, though. It means you make it more durable.”
For more insights on Asheville City Council candidates’ views on reparations and other pressing issues, visit BPR’s City Council Candidate Guide.
