preview

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Join Us for Another Exciting Adventure!

gif-c2-erregw-raising-cane-the-ch-2026-06-30-172526

Watch the Raising Cane trailer Here

Dear Friends,

We're putting the finishing touches on our new film, Raising Cane, The Cherokee and Rivercane, and tickets are now on sale. Its not a coincidence that the world premiere of this film corresponds with the second anniversary of Helene's devastating blow to the Southern Appalachians.

What we're learning is that had rivercane been in place as in the past, covering hundreds of thousands of acres, the amount of flooding and erosion seen during Tropical Storm Helene would simply not have been possible. But since rivercane likes waterfront property and so does man, its clear who won out in that dynamic. (But after Helene, it clearly wasn't us!)

If you've been keeping up with the news, you know that finally people are taking notice and that some exciting efforts are being made to restore rivercane throughout the region. Some of those conservationist movers and shakers will join the conversation after the screening.

Our premiere date, Saturday, September 19th at 7:00 PM at the Thomas Auditorium on the campus of Blue Ridge Community College will be more than a film screening. It will be a celebration of the Center's 15th year. After the screening, we'll have a discussion by Cherokee elders and conservationists on the importance of rivercane and progress being made on restoring it, and then we'll have snacks and drinks and music in the lobby to celebrate 15 years of cultural preservation work!

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities can be found now HERE. Donors of $100 or more will receive a separate email offering you complimentary tickets. Stay tuned!

Our AI Policy

Because of the inherent damage caused by Artificial Intelligence to creative works, to jobs and to the environment, the Center for Cultural Preservation has adopted a No AI Policy for its creative work. This means that we will not intentionally use AI for our creative endeavors. Given that AI is now built into many applications, AI is unavoidable, but the intentional use of it is. AI steals creative works from other artists, it takes jobs and the data centers being built all around the country to handle the enormous amount of data causes tremendous environmental damage to communities.

The Center believes that its cultural heritage preservation mission is incompatible with the intentional use of AI. The cornerstone of our communities not so long ago was to be ones neighbor's keeper. AI tears that asunder. Its use is akin to stealing food from a neighbor's garden because its more convenient than growing it yourself or traveling to the grocery store. The Center hopes that other organizations and individuals will similarly adopt No AI policies for their workplace and for their personal use.

Color Beyond the Lines DVD & Streaming Now Available Online!

Our latest award-winning film, Color Beyond the Lines, about the black community's fight for quality education is now available online or on DVD. If you haven't yet picked up your copy, you can purchase the DVD or the streaming version HERE.