Asheville, Buncombe officials defend their practices from a DEI critic’s allegations

By: Lynn Bonner

Outlets: North Carolina Newsline

Published: February 11, 2026

Words: 565

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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Officials from Asheville and Buncombe County came to the Legislative Building in Raleigh on Wednesday to rebut allegations they were using diversity, equity, and inclusion policies to help Black people to the exclusion of other races.

They were responding to Ruth Smith, an Asheville lawyer and unsuccessful Republican legislative candidate, who told the House Select Committee on Government Efficiency in January that the city and county are using “equity” to allocate resources based …

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