Dr. Dwight Mullen

Dr. Dwight Mullen discusses arriving in Asheville in the early 1980s, the importance of elders and African roots, and Black institutions in the city. Mullen was teaching public policy to government officials in Nigeria when hired by UNC Asheville in 1984. The political science professor has served the community for nearly 40 years and created the annual research project titled "The State of Black Asheville." The project looks at racial disparities in Asheville around employment, housing, and education among other topics. Currently, he chairs the Asheville-Buncombe County Community Reparations Committee.

A native of Watts, Mullen attended Loma Linda University and Atlanta University (now called Clark Atlanta University).

Interview by Michael S. Williams | Photos, videos by Julia Wall

Coming to Asheville was "like 'Leave it to Beaver.'"

Help people by meeting them "where they are."

With statistical outcomes, class, income "didn't matter. ... Race mattered."

Black women hold educational community together.

We must maintain the "parameters of our existence."

Urban Renewal "tore the heart out of this community."

Women hold the community together.

It is necessary to understand one's African roots.

It is essential to understand coalition building.

The YMI is "the core of the community of East End."

"Rediscover" institutions created during segregation.

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