Elder John R. Hayes

John R. Hayes was born on May 31, 1942 in Birmingham, Alabama, where he began his fight against the injustices that African Americans were faced with in his community and across the nation.

He attended Birmingham City High School, and after moving to California he graduated from Oxnard College in 1959. He served in the army and eventually got a job with the Head Start program.

His work with Head Start brought Hayes to Asheville, and in 1977, one of his most noted accomplishments was the creation of the renowned Hillcrest Enrichment Program and the Hillcrest High Steppers. The program was created to build self-esteem and motivation and raise the academic and personal achievement levels of low-wealth children and families. The program was recognized as one of the nation’s best early intervention and prevention programs for families and communities.

A former member of the program, Royanna Williams, says that, as a High Stepper, she was taught that “it was also imperative for you to learn your history. [Mr. Hayes] taught me that you can’t start to know yourself if you don’t know where and who you come from. Then, once you’ve started to learn the knowledge, it is important to continue to study because it’s a lifetime quest. He also taught me to not be stingy with what I learned. To give back. That community is everything. So go back into the community and help the youth and teach them and go out into the community to educate other cultures and correct misconceptions for better communication between all.”

Over the years, Hayes received many awards and recognitions for his accomplishments in his continuous struggles for civil rights and equality. He served as president of the Asheville Branch NAACP and as the founding president of the Empowerment Resource Center and WRES-LPFM radio.

An ordained Elder of the Churches of God in Christ and a member of the Sycamore Temple COGIC, Hayes once said, “The Bible says your gift will make room for you. You have some worth in you, and it didn’t just ‘happen.’ “The day the doctor hit you on your butt and you hollered, and you sucked in air, when you sucked in air, you sucked in a purpose from God. There’s nobody on this earth without a purpose. You have to nurture that purpose. What did Paul say to Timothy? Stir up the gift. Where is it? It’s in you. You have to stir it up, you have to study to show yourself a workman who need not be ashamed, to broadly find the word of truth. Where is the truth? It’s in you. But you have to find it. I had to find it.”

Hayes passed away on June 10, 2021, leaving behind many who cherish his memory.