Bruce Waller Jr. Founding Board Member & Executive Director.
Black Wall Street AVL was started during the middle of the pandemic in 2020, as a way to help grow and support local Black Businesses in the wake of the tragic George Floyd murders. As gentrification has continued to impact our community, we recognize the need for a dedicated space where Black business owners could come together and receive the support and resources they need to keep thriving.
It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come since those early days, and we’re so grateful to J. Hackett, a reentry citizen and entrepreneur, for starting this whole movement here in Asheville. Thanks to his vision and hard work, we are now able to offer support to Black-owned businesses all across the country.
And of course, a huge shoutout to Bruce Waller, one of our incredible founding members, who leads the way as Director and helps us secure partnerships and resources to help our cohort members succeed.
We hope you’re feeling just as excited about Black Wall Street as we are, and we can’t wait to share more about our journey with you!