Local NAACP Elects Officers

The Asheville-Buncombe County NAACP installed its new officers October 3, 2015 at the Hill Street Baptist Church.

Ms. Carmen Ramos-Kennedy was elected as president, succeeding Elder John Hayes, who has held the post for 16 years. Also on the board are Keith Ogden, 1st Vice President; James E. Lee III, 2nd Vice President; Elaine Lite, Secretary; Marvin D. Chambers, Treasurer; Sophie Dixon, Assistant Treasurer; and LaFredia Brown-Morris, Executive Committee Member-at-Large.

“It’s an honor serve the Asheville Buncombe Branch of the NAACP,” stated Ms. Ramos-Kennedy. “We know and recognize that history is a continuum, so I lift up all the officers and members who chartered and grew the local branch of the NAACP.”

In 1999 Hayes reconstituted the local branch after its charter was revoked under its previous leadership, and at that time he began laying a foundation for the future. Sophie Dixon has served alongside him through the years of rebuilding, for a number of years as vice-president. Hayes is also the founder—and often the voice of—WRES-FM radio, which has strongly supported the goals and objectives of the NAACP.

Since relocating to Asheville with her husband Bruce Kennedy in 2007, Ramos-Kennedy has worked as a community leader and political campaign manager for a number of candidates in the Asheville area. She is a founding board member of Asheville Living Treasures.

One of the goals of the new leadership team, says Ramos-Kennedy, is “to better serve the community.” To that end they plan to relocate to a new office space with ample, accessible parking. Ramos-Kennedy also plans to soon announce a regular monthly meeting date.

For information about membership and other questions about the Asheville-Buncombe branch of the NAACP, contact Ramos-Kennedy at [email protected] or (828) 423-6476.