Guest Essayist Keynon Lake – My Daddy Taught Me That

Guest Essayist Keynon Lake – My Daddy Taught Me That      For nearly a decade, Asheville City Schools have been labeled as having one of the country’s worst achievement/opportunity gaps. The gap between the test scores of black and white students has been so wide that leaders have declared a state of emergency to […]

SPARC’s New Operation Director

SPARC’s New Operation Director SPARC Foundation hires Tracey McCrain as Operations Director (October 7, 2022, Asheville, NC) – The SPARC Foundation has hired accomplished nonprofit professional Tracey McCrain to serve as the organization’s first Operations Director. With a focus on providing innovative, evidence-based, equitable services, McCrain will provide leadership to SPARC’s programs in delivering outstanding […]

World Duchenne Awareness Day 2022

Add Your Heading Text Here The Campbell-Clark family enjoying the great outdoors in WNC. Javon and his mom, Jessica (Family Centered Treatment Team Supervisor with SPARC) spread awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and invite us all to help make a difference! Welcome Jessica! Can we begin by you telling us a little bit about yourself […]

Joe Greene – “Colon Cancer Health Ambassador”

Joe Greene – “Colon Cancer Health Ambassador”       Despite the lingering grogginess of anesthesia, Joe Greene remembers his exact words after learning he had cancer. He says, “I was still waking up after the colonoscopy when the Doctor came in. He told me they’d seen cancer during my screening and I said, ‘Well, […]

SPARC’s Executive Director Awarded with 2021 CoThinkk Ally Leader Award

SPARC’s Executive Director Awarded with 2021 CoThinkk Ally Leader Award CoThinkk is dedicated to social change philanthropy by investing our time, talent and treasure to accelerate positive changes in communities of color in Asheville and Western North Carolina. Each year, CoThinkk honors local community leaders who diligently strive to advance communities of color in Asheville and […]

SPARCing Conversation on The Veronica Edwards Show

SPARCing Conversation on The Veronica Edwards Show CLICK TO LISTENVeronica Edwards (podcast talent AND SPARC Board Treasurer) interviews SPARC’s ED, Jackie Latek.– Jackie’s journey that lead to the passion she ignites at The SPARC Foundation– What to focus on when leading an organization (or family!) and times get tough– And what the Asheville Chamber of […]

The SPARC Foundation’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The SPARC Foundation’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion SPARC is committed to reflecting, empowering and celebrating our staff and the communities we serve. We value the unique insight and strengths earned through lived experience. Our mission, in the community and within our organization, is to strengthen the well-being and personal freedom of individuals and […]