Goombay Corporate & Individual Sponsorships

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Ymi Cultural Center Inc

YMI Cultural Center Inc fosters cultural expression and understanding through arts and community events, celebrating heritage and diversity while creating vibrant experiences that connect people and promote unity.

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at YMI Cultural Center Inc&#39;s annual Goombay Festival. It&#39;s a festival like no other, and we want you to become a vendor at this historic event!! 🎉 🎉 Every registration to this campaign will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. All pathway to Goombay participants will receive a $250 discount covered by Spectrum as a part of their initiatives to strengthen workforce development. &nbsp;The prices in this portal reflect the $250 discount (except for Non Profits) We are excited to have you join the festival as we expand our reach! Thank you for supporting our annual festival, your support is invaluable.

Pathway to Goombay Participants 2026

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at YMI Cultural Center Inc&#39;s annual Goombay Festival. It&#39;s a festival like no other, and we want you to become a vendor at this historic event!! 🎉 🎉 Every registration to this campaign will bring us closer to achieving our mission - ensuring preservation efforts, cultural opportunities, and social interaction to our community! Thank you for supporting our annual festival, your support is invaluable.

Goombay Registration for Vendors & Tables 2026

Celebrate your accomplishments as a Western North Carolina region Black college‑bound student 🎓 by sharing a few details below. Your responses help us plan a thoughtful send‑off that honors your hard work and next steps. &nbsp;Prepare to receive gifts, goodies, food, djs and a send-off like no other.&nbsp; We are so excited about your future! At the YMI Cultural Center, we uplift cultural heritage and support young people as they move into new communities and campuses. 🌟 This form helps us organize food, program highlights, and recognition, so each student feels seen, prepared, and encouraged.

Western North Carolina Black Student College Send-Off

Join us for Denim &amp; Diamonds Juneteenth Soiree ✨ Celebrate Juneteenth with an afternoon of style, live music, and libations that honor Black heritage and resilience in honor of Juneteenth. Your registration supports YMI Cultural Center&rsquo;s mission to preserve cultural heritage, amplify diverse voices, and create space for community connection. Come ready for denim, sparkle, and meaningful conversation 🕺🏾.

Denim & Diamonds Juneteenth Soiree

May 2 | 10:00 AM &ndash; 2:30 PM | YMI Cultural Center Join us for an inaugural showcase celebrating Black and Brown excellence in event and wedding services across the region. This special events and wedding fair is designed to highlight multicultural vendors who specialize in bringing meaningful, memorable experiences to life&mdash;from caterers and planners to photographers, designers, and beyond. Vendors are invited to participate and connect directly with couples, organizations, and community members seeking culturally responsive, high-quality event professionals. Vendor registration is open through February 15, with a low-cost vending fee to encourage broad participation and a diverse range of businesses. Be part of a vibrant day of connection, visibility, and community as we uplift and invest in Black (and multicultural)-owned businesses.

The 2026 Black Tie Wedding & Special Event Expo: Vendor Registration

<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1769998111/wysiwyg/wffkqsmhuthmrh7whbbc.png" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; position: relative; max-width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"><span fr-original-style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: none; display: inline !important;" style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; word-spacing: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: none; display: inline !important; box-sizing: inherit;">Come celebrate the roaring twenties and wrap up Black History Month by joining us for a night of appreciation, celebration, and acknowledgment, recognizing those who are trailblazers and unsung heroes in our community. We also introduce our Kujichagulia Organizations-in-Residence Program, our Kuumba Artists-in-Residence, and a few other surprises, as you eat a sumptuous dinner, listening to Kelle Jolly and Will Boyd. Secure your ticket in advance! Cocktail attire should be observed, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. Can&#39;t come, but want to donate anyway, we have options for that too.

The 2nd Annual YMI Honors

Join us for a memorable evening at the YMI Cultural Center! In cooperation with the Alphas of Asheville, we together present A Funky Holiday Jam: John Brown Live -&nbsp;a night of funk, jazz, and libations. John is a well known Alpha and Bassist whose rhythms echo our mission to weave cultural heritage into a vibrant holiday experience.Your participation enhances our efforts to foster cultural expression and understanding. Each ticket supports both the YMI and the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha. Together, let&rsquo;s get festive and celebrate the gifts of the season! Event Details:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Time: 7:30PM</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Location: YMI Cultural Center</li></ul>Secure your ticket now and be part of this holiday celebration!

A Funky Holiday Jam: John Brown Live

The&nbsp;first-ever WNC Black Student College Fair, proudly presented by the&nbsp;YMI Cultural Center, is here to inspire, empower, and prepare the next generation of leaders. This unique event is designed to connect Western North Carolina&rsquo;s high school students&mdash;and their families&mdash;with colleges, universities, and resources that open doors to a brighter future.From&nbsp;keynote speakers who will motivate and challenge students to dream big, to&nbsp;engaging workshops that cover essential topics like FAFSA, financial aid, and preparing for college life, this fair is more than just an information session&mdash;it&rsquo;s an experience.Students will enjoy:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="1">Interactive student workshops that focus on success both in and out of the classroom.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="2">Panels and conversations with HBCU alumni, college representatives, and community leaders.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="3">Scholarship opportunities to help make higher education accessible.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="4">A lively&nbsp;Greek Life presence, showcasing the pride and tradition of Black fraternities and sororities.</li></ul>Parents will benefit from:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="1">Dedicated workshops on navigating the college process, financial aid, and preparing your student for success.</li></ul>This event is not only&nbsp;fun and engaging, but also an&nbsp;extremely valuable opportunity for high school graduates to gain the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to pursue higher education.The WNC Black Student College Fair is more than just a fair&mdash;it&rsquo;s a celebration of possibility, culture, and community. Whether you&rsquo;re a student ready to take the next step, or a parent eager to support your child&rsquo;s journey, you&rsquo;ll leave inspired, informed, and connected.Join us for this exciting first-of-its-kind event. Let&rsquo;s invest in our students, celebrate their potential, and make sure they have every opportunity to succeed!

WNC Black Student College Fair

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at YMI Cultural Center Inc&#39;s annual Goombay Festival. It&#39;s a festival like no other, and we want you to become a vendor at this historic event!! 🎉 🎉 Every registration to this campaign will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our annual festival, your support is invaluable.

Pathway to Goombay Participants

Goombay Registration for Vendors & Tables

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at YMI Cultural Center Inc&#39;s ticketed Goombay events. &nbsp;Bringing you a multitude of sounds and delights! 🎉 Every registration to these events will bring us closer to achieving our mission. Together, we can create a brighter, more compassionate world for all. Thank you for supporting our mission, your support is invaluable.

Goombay Ticketed Events

🎉 Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of Ymi Cultural Center Inc&#39;s ultimate talent show, where emerging artists and native Affrilachians compete for a chance to perform at Goombay (and get paid). &nbsp;Join us as we share in a night of good fun as we cheer our friends and neighbors on as they bless us with their performance! It&#39;s a $5 commitment that you won&#39;t regret paying for!

Goombay "Got" Talent

<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 3px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 2px 0px 3px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5;">The 9pm headliner show block that closes out the 2025 Asheville Improv Festival will be a doozy! The all-female super group, Hodgepodge, kicks things off with a flurry, followed by the magic of 3Peat then a special performance of Mick Napier and Jennifer Estlin&#39;s Mentalist Show! We close out the whole damn thing with a super group of some or all of our headliners in a very fun show! Here&#39;s the lineup:&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><li fr-original-style="box-sizing: border-box;" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Hodgepodge</li><li fr-original-style="box-sizing: border-box;" style="box-sizing: border-box;">3Peat</li><li fr-original-style="box-sizing: border-box;" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mick Napier &amp; Jennifer Estlin: Mentalist Show</li><li fr-original-style="box-sizing: border-box;" style="box-sizing: border-box;">SPECIAL HEADLINER SUPERGROUP SHOW!</li></ul><p fr-original-style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 3px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 2px 0px 3px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5;">All ticket holders for any Saturday show will get access to that evening&#39;s afterparty, following the 9pm show. The location is TBD but we&#39;ll let ya know where soon!<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 3px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 2px 0px 3px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5;">All sales final!

Double Dip Productions: Closing Night of Asheville Improv Festival 2025- 9pm Headliner Show

<span fr-original-style="font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); float: none; display: inline !important;" style="font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;word-spacing:0px;text-size-adjust:auto;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-decoration:none;caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14.6667px;text-align:left;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);float:none;display:inline !important;box-sizing:inherit"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1738914536/w3dp5scxzjk3ka9xf72r.png" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;max-width:100%;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit" />Wrap up Black History Month by joining us for a night of appreciation, celebration, and acknowledgment, recognizing those who’ve steered our journey with their loving guidance and support.  We also introduce our new Kujichagulia Organizations-in-Residence Program, our Kuumba Artists-in-Residence, and a few other surprises. Secure your ticket in advance! Cocktail and/or African Attire. Can't come, but want to donate anyway, we have options for that too.

The YMI Honors

Welcome to our online shop 🛍️ Every purchase you make directly supports our mission. Browse our selection and find the perfect items for you. By shopping with us, you help us achieve our goals and positively impact our community. Thank you for supporting our mission &mdash; your contribution is invaluable. Happy shopping! 🌟 Ymi Cultural Center Inc

Welcome to our online shop 🛍️Every purchase you make directly supports our mission. Browse our selection and find the perfect items for you.By shopping with us, you help us achieve our goals and positively impact our community. Thank you for supporting our mission — your contribution is invaluable.Happy shopping! 🌟Ymi Cultural Center Inc

Ymi Cultural Center Inc's Shop

Let There Be LightThe YMI Cultural Center stands as a living monument to the brilliance, resilience, and creativity of Black Asheville. Your support does more than keep our doors open&mdash;it keeps our story alive. For 130 years, the YMI has been a sanctuary where our cultural memory is preserved, our artistry is elevated, and our community&rsquo;s future is imagined with courage and clarity.By giving to the YMI, you help safeguard sacred spaces of Black expression&mdash;spaces where elders, artists, scholars, youth, and visionaries continue to shape the Affrilachian narrative. Your contribution ensures that our gallery walls remain filled with Black art, our stages alive with music and movement, and our classrooms open for learning, healing, and collective growth.Your support helps us:<ul data-end="1508" data-start="1103" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1207" data-start="1103" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Elevate Black voices and cultural traditions through workshops, lectures, festivals, and exhibitions</li><li data-end="1302" data-start="1208" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Strengthen community bonds through storytelling, spiritual grounding, and civic engagement</li><li data-end="1411" data-start="1303" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Protect a historic landmark that has carried the cultural heartbeat of Asheville for more than a century</li><li data-end="1508" data-start="1412" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Inspire an Afrofuture where Black innovation, imagination, and excellence continue to thrive</li></ul>Thank you for helping us shine a light that honors our ancestors, illuminates our present, and guides our collective future.

Let There Be LightThe YMI Cultural Center stands as a living monument to the brilliance, resilience, and creativity of Black Asheville. Your support does more than keep our doors open—it keeps our story alive. For 130 years, the YMI has been a sanctuary where our cultural memory is preserved, our artistry is elevated, and our community’s future is imagined with courage and clarity.By giving to the YMI, you help safeguard sacred spaces of Black expression—spaces where elders, artists, scholars, youth, and visionaries continue to shape the Affrilachian narrative. Your contribution ensures that our gallery walls remain filled with Black art, our stages alive with music and movement, and our classrooms open for learning, healing, and collective growth.Your support helps us:Elevate Black voices and cultural traditions through workshops, lectures, festivals, and exhibitionsStrengthen community bonds through storytelling, spiritual grounding, and civic engagementProtect a historic landmark that has carried the cultural heartbeat of Asheville for more than a centuryInspire an Afrofuture where Black innovation, imagination, and excellence continue to thriveThank you for helping us shine a light that honors our ancestors, illuminates our present, and guides our collective future.

Giving Campaign: Let There Be Light All Year Long

Students, Your Future Starts Here!Join us for the WNC Black Student College Fair on Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 2&ndash;6 PM at the YMI Cultural Center!Come explore college opportunities, scholarships, giveaways, Greek life, workshops, HBCU alumni, speakers, and more&mdash;all in one place. Whether you already know where you want to go or you&#39;re still figuring it out, this is your opportunity to ask questions, make connections, discover resources, and dream bigger.Students of all grade levels are welcome! Bring your questions, your curiosity, and your future. YMI Cultural Center 39 S. Market Street &bull; Asheville, NC 28801 📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026 ⏰ 2&ndash;6 PMRegister today and come see what&#39;s possible! More Options. Bigger Dreams.

Western North Carolina Black Student College Fair 2026 (student & parent registration)

2nd Annual WNC Black Student College FairThe 2nd Annual WNC Black Student College Fair, proudly presented by the YMI Cultural Center, returns to inspire, empower, and prepare the next generation of leaders. Building on the success of our inaugural event, this year&rsquo;s fair continues to connect Western North Carolina&rsquo;s high school students and their families with colleges, universities, scholarship opportunities, and community resources that can help open doors to a brighter future.From engaging speakers and meaningful conversations to hands-on workshops and college resources, the WNC Black Student College Fair is designed to be more than an information session&mdash;it&rsquo;s an experience that helps students see what is possible and understand how to get there.Students will enjoy:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Interactive workshops focused on success in and beyond the classroom.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Panels and conversations with HBCU alumni, college representatives, and community leaders.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Scholarship opportunities and resources to help make higher education more accessible.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">A vibrant Greek Life presence, highlighting the history, culture, service, and tradition of Black fraternities and sororities.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Giveaways, networking opportunities, and more!</li></ul>Parents &amp; Families will benefit from:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Dedicated workshops and resources focused on navigating the college process.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Information about FAFSA, financial aid, scholarships, and college readiness.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Opportunities to connect directly with college representatives and community organizations.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Practical tools to help families support their students through the journey to higher education.</li></ul>The WNC Black Student College Fair is more than a college fair&mdash;it is a celebration of possibility, culture, achievement, and community. Whether you&#39;re a student preparing for your next chapter, a parent supporting your scholar, or a community member invested in the future of our young people, there is something here for you.Join us for the 2nd Annual WNC Black Student College Fair on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Let&#39;s continue building a community where our students have the information, resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to pursue their dreams.More Options. Bigger Dreams. Brighter Futures.

Ymi Cultural Center Inc

Events

Events

Western North Carolina Black Student College Fair 2026 (student & parent registration)

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2026 WNC Black Student College Fair (table registration)

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Giving Campaign: Let There Be Light All Year Long

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