Current WNC Bridge grantee and community partner Sophie Dixon, President of the Shiloh Community Association, received special recognition at Buncombe County’s Black Legacy Month event, which took place on February 29th and was celebrated by community members, including WNC Bridge staff Scott Buchanan, Sara Coplai, and Public Health Fellow, Jazmyne Boyd.

Sophie received the Black Legacy Month Proclamation from the Buncombe County Commissioners based on her years of dedication to the community, including volunteering, leading, and mentoring.

Born and raised in Stumptown, Sophie 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 helped found the radio station WRES (which she continues to manage), 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 a former president of the Asheville Buncombe County NAACP and was named Asheville’s Volunteer of the Year in 2019.