Legendary: Celebrating the Legacy of John R. Hayes
50th Anniversary Event and Documentary Launch
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.
“Elder Hayes’s legacy lives in the young people still carrying that sound forward,” says director Sekou Coleman. “This event is an invitation to invest in the community ecosystem that made this legacy possible.”
The event begins at 6 p.m. outside Eulogy (located at 10 Buxton Ave.) with a performance by the John R. Hayes High-Steppin’ Majorettes and Drum Corps. An indoor program follows, featuring remarks from City Council Member Sheneika Smith, community leader Sophie Dixon, and Umoja founder Michael Hayes.
To purchase tickets, and for more details, go to umojahwj.harnessgiving.org/events/3877
About Legacy on the Mountain
Legacy on the Mountain follows the John R. Hayes High-Steppin’ Majorettes and traces the broader legacy of John R. Hayes and the institutions that carry Black Asheville’s memory forward. The film uses archives and new footage to connect mentorship, youth development, and cultural memory across generations. Learn more and support the film at whoisjohnrhayes.com.
About Umoja Health, Wellness and Justice Collective
Founded by Michael Hayes, Umoja is an Asheville-based organization dedicated to youth development, cultural memory, and community care. Umoja serves as the steward for the Legacy on the Mountain project and upholds the values established by Elder Hayes and Sophie Dixon through the Hillcrest Enrichment Program.
