By Dedan Waciuri
The upcoming opening of the Amani Collective Community Center at 1100 Ward St. in Greenville is about more than just a new building—it’s about creating a space rooted in the community. The center is especially focused on serving youth and working-class residents in West Greenville, where communities have long faced neglect, over-policing, poverty, and a lack of resources.
The Amani Collective plans to offer a range of programs, including literacy support, GED and continuing education resources, youth mentorship, community service opportunities, political and cultural education, and workforce development. Each of these efforts is designed to help people grow, connect, and strengthen their community.
This work reflects what Emancipate NC means by organizing “with, without, and against” systems—partnering with institutions when it helps bring resources to the community, building independent spaces when communities are left unsupported, and challenging systems that continue to cause harm.
By supporting the Amani Collective, Emancipate NC is putting that approach into practice—joining forces with a grassroots organization deeply connected to the people of Greenville.
The goal of the center is not just to offer programs, but to create a space where community members can learn, grow, organize, and build something meaningful together. Organizers recognize that many of the challenges communities face cannot be solved through punishment or policing alone—they require investment in education, mentorship, culture, and sustained community support.
As the opening approaches, the hope is that the Amani Collective will become a true community hub on Ward Street—a place where people feel supported, challenged, and connected to something larger than themselves.