Connecting Through The Roots

October 22nd, 2016

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COTHINKK AWARDS NIGHT

CONNECTING THROUGH THE ROOTS

Join us for CoThinkk’s 2016 Inaugural Event “Connecting Through the Roots”. Our 2016 Inaugural Event will allow us to highlight the innovative work of leaders working across the region through announcing our 1st year grant recipients and an awards ceremony that will honor four community leaders and two ally. The event will feature the talents of local artists and bring the voice of a dynamic key note speaker that is working across the Southern region. Come join a diverse array of community leaders and colleagues as we celebrate this important milestone and honor the important work that leaders of color are doing in Asheville and Western North Carolina.

CoThinkk is a giving circle that brings together community leaders who care about the economic and social well-being of communities of color in Asheville and Western North Carolina.

WHEN
Saturday, October 22, 2016
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM (EDT)

WHERE
Asheville Art Museum
2 S Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801

HIGHLIGHTS

» Hors d’oeuvres by Tiger Bay Café
» Chiva Project with Guest Interviews
» Spoken Word by CoThinkk Members
» RAICES Youth Folk Dancers
» Key Note Speaker Astrid Chirinos
» Announce Grant & Award Recipients
» Music and Dancing by The Movement featuring Lavon S Davis

FEATURED SPEAKER

Astrid Chirinos

Astrid Chirinos is the Chief Development Executive of the Latin American Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). After her successful tenure as President of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte (LACCC) that she helped established 18 years ago, Astrid led efforts for the past two years to repurpose the LACCC Foundation into an economic development entity in order to provide the channels to support the sustainable growth and prosperity of the Latino business community.

Recognitions include:

50 Most Influential Women in Charlotte, NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, Johnson C. Smith University Presidential Citation, 25 Outstanding Women in Business, Charlotte Business Journal Catalyst of Diversity, La Noticia’s EXCELENTE Business Woman of the Year Award, NC DIAMANTE Business Woman of the Year Award, Community Engagement Woman of Distinction, YMCA Spirit Award, National Practitioner of the Year Award, and Maya Angelou “Women Who Lead” Award.

ENTERTAINMENT

Raíces Youth Dance

Raícess is a program of Nuestro Centro. That was created in 2013 by parents of the Latinxs community of Asheville, to pass on the knowledge of our culture and tradition to our children, to make them feel supported and united, and to share the beauty of our culture with everyone in our community. By doing this, we will form an integrated, united, and safe community built on respect.

SPOKEN WORD

Lucia White

Asheville resident Lucia White has worked with AmeriCorps, the YWCA and the I Have A Dream Foundation of Asheville. She is a community organizer and serves on several local boards and committees, including Just Economics of WNC, The Center for Participatory Change, and also the co-host on the popular community radio show, Drop Beats Not Bombs with Molly and Lucia (WPVM- 103.5fm). Currently she works as the Executive Director of the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council.

SPOKEN WORD

Sheneika Smith

Sheneika Elaine Smith has a real heart for Asheville, NC, and a vision for it’s potential. Born June 19, 1978, she is the middle daughter of the late Rev. Theodore L. Smith and the late Missionary Beverly Wells Smith. Smith was educated in the Asheville City School system, and graduated from Asheville High in 1996. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communication from Winston-Salem State University.

Interviews by The Carolina – Chiva Project

CHIVA TOP Project (Transporting Opportunities to People) is an endeavor to overcome access challenges in WNC through creativity, arts and a BUS. The TOP project aims to bring opportunities and multicultural activities to places where people live and play.