Dogwood Health Trust has announced Mark D. Constantine, PhD, will join the organization as Senior Vice President of Community Investment in mid-April 2023. Constantine joins Dogwood after having served as President and CEO of Richmond Memorial Health Foundation (RMHF) for seven years. RMHF works explicitly to foster an equitable and healthy Richmond region through grantmaking, research, convenings and impact investing. As Senior Vice President of Community Investment, Constantine will lead Dogwood’s Community Investment Team in the visioning, development and implementation of ambitious program strategies designed to advance strategic initiatives toward Dogwood’s purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities in Western North Carolina. Constantine will help identify and build strategic relationships based on shared objectives with key leaders, community-based organizations, nonprofits and other funders in order to fund bold and innovative upstream strategies that address health disparities and inequity in WNC. Learn more.
Expansion:
Devil’s Foot Beverage Co. has announced a big expansion of their Full Fruit Life Program, which allows other food and beverage makers to source organic zest, spent (pressed) fruit, and spent ginger pulp directly from Devil’s Foot. These citrus peels and ginger root pulp have a ton of life left in them, and Devil’s Foot ensures they have a long life with other food/bev makers before settling into the compost heap. Participating partners in the Full Fruit Life Program currently include Asheville Tea Company, Archetype Brewing, Burial Beer, Eda Rhyne Distillery, DSSOLVR, Green Man Brewery, and local spice maker Well-Seasoned Table. Learn more about the Full Fruit Life Program here.
Happenings:
The nation’s largest comedy club network, The Comedy Zone collective brings top-notch comedians to the stage for a multi-event series of unrivaled hilarity. Stand-up comedian Aaron Weber headlines The Comedy Zone on Friday & Saturday, Feb. 24 & 25 at 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. in the Tina McGuire Theatre at Wortham Centerfor the Performing Arts in downtown Asheville. Contains adult content. Tickets: $28. Box office: 828-257-4530 or worthamarts.org.
Asheville Community Theatre is partnering with Cenzontle for a live Spanish translation of the Native Gardens on Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 2:30 pm. Spanish audio listening devices will be available in the lobby before the show. Following the show, Cenzontle will host a talk-back about issues faced by the local Spanish-speaking community. Tickets are $18.00 – $29.00 and are available online at www.ashevilletheatre.org, by phone at 828-254-1320 or in person at the ACT box office. More information.
Opportunity:
A-B Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing Center is now accepting registrations for a free Pratt & WhitneyFast Track training program designed to put area residents on the path to full-time employment with benefits in aerospace manufacturing. The first training session begins Saturday, February 18. Pratt & Whitney is seeking career-minded individuals for immediate openings in production and other areas of operations. Manufacturing experience is not necessary for this opportunity, but applicants must be U.S. citizens. Fast Track training prepares individuals to interview with and work for Pratt & Whitney. The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded A-B Tech two $1.5 million grants for technical equipment purchases for the Pratt & Whitney project. The training at A-B Tech will prepare applicants to interview with and work for Pratt & Whitney. A-B Tech has six Fast Track sessions scheduled in February and March. To register for Fast Track training, please visit abtech.edu/fast-track or call 828.367.8545.
Mountain BizWorks is now accepting applications for their first Latino Catalyst Cohort, which will be facilitated entirely in Spanish. The business development program, based on the successful Multicultural Catalyst Cohort for entrepreneurs of color, focuses on developing practical business and leadership skills. Applications will be accepted through March 20, with the first session scheduled for April 26. Learn more and apply here.
Mountain BizWorks’ Spring 2023 Craft Your Commerce Workshop Series will take your digital connection to the next level. Designed for creatives seeking grow their customer base through more e-commerce and digital strategies, you will learn how to create website landing pages that engage customers, get a grasp on your SEO and analytics, and create genuine authentic relationships with your customers through your e-commerce platforms. Learn more and register here.