A look at how the Asheville Blade came to be, what we did in 2014 and a thank you to the community that’s made it possible. Above: Fireworks outside City Hall. Photo by Bill Rhodes. I initially hesitated about writing this post. For all that I love my profession, journalism

Asheville’s current approach to diversity is like putting a bandage on a dirty wound. A better way will require a more politically and economically powerful black community — and the city truly addressing some hard history. Above: African-American owned businesses in downtown, before the East End neighborhood was devastated by