Black Wall Street AVL Celebrates 4th Annual Legacy Awards
Outstanding individuals making a daily impact in their communities.
On February 22, 2025, supporters, nominees, and honorees of Black Wall Street AVL gathered at Asheville Community Theatre to celebrate the achievements of local Black leaders and the ongoing work being done across western North Carolina.
The Black Legacy Awards, now in their third year, continue to recognize individuals and organizations that uplift and empower the Black community through economic development, leadership, and service.
“Although Black Wall Street AVL lost everything, during hurricane Helene, we are reminded of the struggles our ancestors fought for as we come together to rebuild our lives and our community in the face of adversity—together,” explained J. Hackett, founder of Black Wall Street AVL. “Rebuilding is everybody’s business.”
This year’s Black Legacy Awards honorees included:
- Gene Ettison – Founder of GO PLACES, a program supporting young adults in high-crime, high-poverty areas through work-based learning and mentorship
- Michael Hayes – Leader of Umoja Health, Wellness, and Justice Collective, providing culturally responsive peer support services
- Renée White – Advocate for the East End/Valley Street Community, ensuring that local voices are heard and valued
- Philip Cooper – Founder and Chief Change Agent of Operation Gateway, helping former inmates gain tools to start over
- Stephanie Swepson-Twitty – CEO of Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation, driving economic development in Asheville and Old Fort
- Shirley Whitesides – Director of Delta House, Inc., impacting over 20,000 students through arts education and youth programming
- Tracey Greene-Washington – Founder of CoThinkk and Indigo Innovation Group, leading in social change philanthropy and leadership development
Celebrating Everyday Leaders
In addition to these distinguished honorees, the public voted online to recognize outstanding individuals making a daily impact in their communities.
This year’s Community Choice Award winners included:
- Joe Greene – Hometown Hero Award
- Elder Phylis Utley – Elder Award
- Trina Jackson – Teacher Award
- Betty Young – Business Trailblazer Award
- Trinity Harper – Emerging Young Leader Award
- UMOJA Health, Wellness, and Justice Collective – Nonprofit Award
- LaVie Montgomery – Community Leader Award
About Black Wall Street AVL
Black Wall Street AVL is dedicated to fostering economic empowerment, business development, and community resilience among Black entrepreneurs and residents in Asheville and beyond. Through events like the Black Legacy Awards, the organization continues to highlight the rich contributions of Black leaders while working toward a more equitable and thriving community.
For more information, please visit www.BlackWallStreetAVL.com.
