Thank you all who attended the 2024 Black Legacy Month event! From food to trivia to a discussion about Community Reparations, the event brought together the community and honored the region's rich Black history.
During the event, a special recognition was given to Sophie Dixon, who has been a community volunteer, leader, and mentor for many years.
Sophie was born and raised in Stumptown, once a black neighborhood within the boundaries of Asheville’s Riverside.
She graduated from Stephens-Lee High School, married, and moved to Shiloh with her husband Daniel. She raised three children and worked at Taylor Instruments for more than 35 years, earning an associate degree from A-B Tech while working.
Her effort and dedication played a role in the founding of radio station WRES, the Goombay Festival, and the preservation of the YMI Cultural Center. She has facilitated many meetings of the Shiloh Community Association and led efforts to enhance that community. Sophie was former president of the Asheville Buncombe County NAACP. She was named Asheville’s Volunteer of the Year in 2019.
Earlier this month, County Commissioners declared February as Black Legacy Month and Sophie was in attendance to receive the Black Legacy Month Proclamation.
The event was co-sponsored by the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Cultural Awareness, Recognition, and Education (CARE) Team and the Buncombe County Equity & Human Rights Office.
Click here to watch a recording of the event.