Meet the Performers and Speakers
Phillip Cooper
Reverend Philip Cooper is a Western North Carolina native, reentry leader, and criminal justice reform advocate. He is the Founder and Chief Change Agent of Operation Gateway Inc., an organization committed to leveraging lived experience to transform lives and reduce the stigma surrounding recovery and reentry. He is also the founder of Voices of Affrilachia, a state-funded initiative addressing behavioral health stigma in marginalized communities across Appalachia. Reverend Cooper has received statewide and national recognition for his leadership and innovation, including being named SAMHSA’s 2024 Innovator of the Year, a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder, and a 2025 TIME Magazine CLOSER Honoree. He currently serves as Chair of the Labor and Industry Committee of the Asheville NAACP and serves on the Board of the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. As Pastor of Friends of John Recovery Ministry, he remains committed to the belief that those closest to the problem are closest to the solution.
Opening Speaker
Donald McDonald
Donald McDonald is a husband, father, grandfather, peer professional, national recovery advocate, and person thriving in long-term recovery from severe mental and substance use disorders. He has dedicated his career to helping individuals, families, and communities discover that recovery is possible and find the pathway that's right for them. A veteran, behavioral health consultant, and former nonprofit leader, he is passionate about reducing stigma, expanding hope, and honoring the many pathways people take toward healing. Donald believes recovery is not merely the absence of illness, addiction, or chaos, but the opportunity to build a meaningful, connected, and thriving life.
Multiple Pathways Panel
Katelynn Ledford-McCoy
Katelynn Ledford-McCoy is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a woman in long-term recovery, and the Executive Director and co-founder of RezHOPE Recovery & Consulting Services in Cherokee, North Carolina. Drawing from her own lived experience with addiction, incarceration, and recovery, Katelynn has dedicated her life to creating pathways of hope, connection, and healing for others. Her own recovery has taught her that there is no single road to healing. For Katelynn, movement has become medicine, and running has played a powerful role in finding tohi—balance—in her life. From rebuilding her life in recovery to becoming a marathon runner and Boston Marathon qualifier, she believes movement can reconnect us to our bodies, our communities, and our purpose. Katelynn’s work is rooted in culture, community, and the belief that recovery can take many forms—and every pathway toward healing is worth honoring.
Multiple Pathways Panel
Leigh Snyder
Leigh is a passionate advocate for recovery and community support in the region. Dedicated to breaking down barriers and raising awareness, Leigh shares her personal journey to offer hope, education, and inspiration to individuals and families navigating recovery. Through lived experience and active community engagement, she remains committed to empowering others and highlighting the diverse pathways to long-term healing and wellness.
Multiple Pathways Panel
Michael Hayes leading the “John R. Hayes High Steppin’ Majorettes and Drum Corps”
Founded in 1977 by the late Elder John R. Hayes, the John R. Hayes High Steppin’ Majorettes and Drum Corps is one of Western North Carolina’s enduring cultural treasures. Now a program of Umoja Health, Wellness, and Justice Collective, the ensemble carries forward Asheville’s rich African American marching band tradition while creating opportunities for young people to develop leadership, discipline, teamwork, and pride in their community. Serving more than 80 youth each year, the band combines precision drumming, majorette performance, dance, and musical excellence with mentorship, cultural connection, and positive youth development.
Performance
Brandi Hayes
Brandi Hayes, NCCPSS, CNA, CHW, and EMT, currently serves as the Program Coordinator for Buncombe County PORT. Drawing from her lived experience with Recovery from substance use and mental health, she is passionate about supporting others with compassion, dignity, and hope. Her work also honors the memory of her father, who passed away from a drug overdose in 1996. Above all, Brandi is the proud mother of four beautiful children.
Working in Recovery Panel
Nikki Rigby
After life took some unexpected sharp turns, Nikki Rigby spiraled into addiction and entered a traditional IOP treatment program. It gave her valuable support, yet something was missing. When a friend introduced her to Annie Grace's This Naked Mind, everything shifted, gaps were filled, and it sent her deeper into research that led to certification in Affective Liminal Psychology (ALP). That dual perspective, having lived through both traditional treatment and an emotion-based methodology grounded in neuroscience, led her to develop The Shift: Modern Science for Addiction Resolution, a training program bridging the gap for treatment centers by giving clinical teams the science, language, and tools to expand what recovery can look like. Today, Nikki coaches individuals and groups, trains treatment center staff, and speaks to audiences at colleges, chambers, and community events across North Carolina. She's a Trustee at Iredell Health System and sits on the Speaker Committee for the Drug and Alcohol Coalition of Iredell. Her message is simple: freedom is not the finish line, it's just the beginning.
Working in Recovery Panel
Nicole Kaysing
Nicole Kaysing is closing the wellness education gap - one school, one family, one person at a time. Author of the Holistic Mindfulness Journal- recognized as the Transformational Tool of the Year at the LA Times Festival of Books - she is the one you call when you're ready to create change that actually lasts.
Multiple Pathways Panel
Josh Bone
Josh Bone is a native of Gaston County. Graduating North Gaston high school in 2000 and continuing his education at UNC Chapel Hill; He fell into the pit of addiction and alcoholism that would keep him trapped for over a decade. But God had a plan. Today with over nine years sober, a credentialed professional and eight years in the mental health and addiction field, Josh serves as the Director of business development for Achieve Behavioral Health. Achieve has pioneered Medicaid treatment in Gaston county. Along with his role in Gaston, Josh founded Anchor of Hope Sober Living in 2019. Anchor is currently the largest individually owned Sober Living in North Carolina, Housing 175 residents across 2 counties, serving over 3000 people in the last 7 years. Walking by faith has opened many doors, including the privilege of being a father. Josh is the proud father to Lily (8) and Waylon Bone (2). He and currently resides in Charlotte, NC.
Multiple Pathways Panel
Mike Yow
Mike Yow is a singer-songwriter based out of Western NC. He is the lead vocalist of Arnold Hill, a Waynesville-based Alternative Rock group, and Smashing Mouths, Western NC’s premier 90’s music experience. Mike can be found on all streaming platforms through his own work and through Arnold Hill.
Musician
Acklen Walker
Acklen Walker is a multi-genre performer with roots based in pop, hip-hop, R&B, classic rock, and indie music - with influences ranging from Mac Miller, Sam Cooke, Maroon 5, and Childish Gambino to Hippo Campus, Zac Brown Band, The 1975, Odesza, and Taylor Swift - he strives to push the boundaries of genre and deliver performances that leave his audience wanting more. His performances include a mixture of original and cover songs, the vibes of each set changing for every performance depending on the room and the people he is performing for. His writing reflects the many parts of himself and speaks to the journey of acceptance of one's entire being, embracing and expressing that through lyrics that range with tone. Acklen has a unique way of connecting with his audience, providing an intimate experience that inspires laughter, joy, introspection, and connection to the present moment in sometimes unexpected ways.
Musician
About the Event
Event Highlights:
Inspiring speakers & personal recovery stories
Live music & entertainment
Resource booths from local organizations
Family-friendly activities
Food trucks & refreshments
Estimated Attendance: Estimating a total of 400 to 800 people throughout the event’s entirety.
Audience: Individuals in recovery, family members, advocates, service providers, healthcare professionals, local media, government officials, and the general public.
Contact Us
For questionsplease email us at: Rally@WNCRCC.org
As we are still in the active stages of planning, we will continue to follow up with additional information including logistics and day-of event updates. Rally programming updates will be posted on our website: wncrcc.org/rallyand on the WNCRCC Facebook page.