On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Umoja Health, Wellness and Justice Collective presents “Legendary,” a public celebration honoring the 50-year legacy of John R. Hayes.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to watch an exclusive preview of the documentary Legacy on the Mountain: Music, Memory, and Belonging in Black Asheville.
John R. Hayes, who relocated to Western North Carolina in the 1970s, transformed local youth development. Alongside Sophie Dixon, he founded the Hillcrest Enrichment Program, fostering discipline and community pride. His influence spanned decades, from leading the local NAACP for 16 years to co-founding WRES 100.7 FM. Today, Umoja stewards this legacy through youth programming and the preservation of Black Asheville’s cultural history…