How did the Center begin?

In December of 1995, 50 volunteers at the Jewish Community Center in Asheville, NC hosted the first "Festivals of Light: Peoples with Many Flames". JCC members created scenes from holidays of light around the world and displayed them in rooms and hallways. 800 teachers and students came that first year and were taken on small docented tours through scenes of Christmas in Greece, the New Year in Korea, Diwali in India, Loy Krathong in Thailand, and Chanukah in Israel. From the enthusiastic response of students and teachers an organization was created.

The Center for Diversity Education set up offices at the JCC and began to offer other programming geared to the NC Standard Course of Study curriculum in grades K-12. Over the next two years, other programs were offered with a growing audience such as Harvest Seasons Around the World, Children and the Holocaust, What Makes a Hero? and others. In 1998, the Center for Diversity Education formed into a separate 501-C3 non-profit organization, created a board of directors, and moved the offices to Pack Place Arts and Education Center in downtown Asheville. The Center currently resides at 114 Highsmith Union on the campus of the University of North Carolina Asheville and operates under a cooperative memorandum of understanding with the university.

The Center has developed a strong reputation in regional educational circles with average yearly student and teacher contact at over 10,000 people.

What type of programming does the Center offer?

Programs fall into four broad areas

• Field Trips (you come to us) such as: 
  • Anne Frank: A History for Today
    An international traveling exhibit—10,000 in attendance including 6,200 students (in 2001 and in 2007)
  • Performances at the Diana Wortham Theatre
  • The Many Faces of Asheville
  • Houses of Worship
• Road Shows (we come to you):
  Teachers select from a list of 11 holidays with the presentation brought right into the classroom. Each year 5 staff people take artifacts and food into approximately 50 schools with 6,000 in attendance.
  • Seasons of Gratitude
  • Festivals of Light
  • Good Fortune: The Asian New Year
• Staff Development (we teach you and you teach us) such as:
  • Treasures of Difference: Basic Diversity/Cultural Competency training for teachers and other professionals
  • The Many Faces of Asheville Trip
• Lending Library (our stuff comes to you):
  • Teachers can borrow class book sets, videos, artifacts and local exhibits from CDE for a two to four week loan.

What is the underlying philosophy for the Center?

Diversity impacts our schools, our workplaces, and our nation from a variety of standpoints including achievement, personnel issues, parent participation, and English as a Second Language to name a few. The Center is entirely curriculum-focused to assist teachers in embedding a knowledge base of many peoples into the daily content of the classroom in grades K-12. To this end, the Center is driven by the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. This many-volumed compilation encompasses goals and objectives from math, science, social studies, literature, art, health, and more. Every program directed by the Center is connected in some way to those goals and objectives. It is the mission of the Center to prepare all students with the necessary skills to maintain a pluralistic democracy in an increasingly complex and diverse nation and world through the daily content of the classroom. 

How is the Center funded?

Grants make up 50% of funds with fees accounting for another 25% and individual donations and corporate sponsorship for 25%. The Center has received grants from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, The Janirve Foundation, The Community Foundation of WNC, WNC Jewish Federation, and others. Most programs at CDE carry a $2.25 per student charge in line with other museum entrance fees to cover our costs.

Where is the Center located?

The Center for Diversity Education is located on the UNC Asheville campus in Highsmith Union. Our offices are located in both The Intercultural Center, room 114A, and The SAIL offices in room 203. Travel north on Merrimon Avenue turning left onto WT Weaver Bvd. Turn right onto University Heights, and Highsmith Union is located on the left, next to the admissions office.

How can I make a contributions?

The easiest way to donate is through Paypal. Look for the "Make a donation" button on our homepage. Donations may also be sent to the Center for Diversity Education, UNC Asheville, 1 University Heights, CPO 1200, Asheville, NC 28804. Stock transfers are also possible through an account at Raymond James in Asheville. Credit Card payment may be arranged by calling the Center at 828.232.5024. Of course, all donations are tax deductible.

Can I volunteer?

Absolutely! There are regular office needs for data entry, collating, event fundraising, etc. along with concentrated needs for docenting and greeting when the Center has a major exhibit up and running. Please visit our volunteer page or contact the Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].

Who are the staff at the Center?

Deborah Miles, Executive Director, grew up during segregation and desegregation of businesses and schools throughout southern Arkansas. She graduated with a BA from Hendrix College majoring in Elementary Education. Deborah was a co-founder of Stone Soup Restaurant in 1977 before teaching in area pre-schools. In 1989, when her oldest child entered school, she returned to the continuing issues of culture in the now integrated public schools. Deborah founded the Center for Diversity Education in 1995. Her office is located in room 114A of the Highsmith Union at UNC-Asheville.

Sarah Jane Delcambre organizes and directs the largest K-12 program, Road Shows, for the Center. Sarah Jane is passionate about equity in education and educating for social justice. Her office is located in room 203 of the Highsmith Union at UNC-Asheville.

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