Ashley Allen Named All-Star Hometown Hero by Major League Soccer

We have some incredible news to share: our Co-Executive Director, Ashley Allen, has been named a 2026 MLS All-Star Hometown Hero by Major League Soccer and Black Players for Change!

This is a big deal! Four leaders were selected across the entire Carolinas and Ashley is the only honoree from anywhere in western North Carolina. At a moment when soccer's biggest national spotlight is landing in Charlotte for MLS All-Star Week, our community's representative on that stage is a Black woman from Asheville leading a literacy nonprofit rooted in equity and love for kids.
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This recognition comes with a $15,000 grant (matched dollar-for-dollar by the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation) to support our work. Ashley will be celebrated at the Hometown Heroes Showcase on July 27 in Charlotte.
​We are so proud!

Click the button below to learn more about Ashley and the other honorees.

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