Gainesville family turns their pain into purpose by combining industry experience with a passion for helping others.
Across the street from a beautiful new housing development with fresh landscaping in the City of Alachua sits an older home in stark contrast. For years, the house deteriorated while the surrounding area progressed. Grass, trees and shrubs were heavily overgrown. The elderly woman living there could no longer do the work herself or afford to hire help.
On a sunny fall day, a nonprofit decided to change all of that. Volunteers arrived with a truck full of donated paint and supplies, pruning tools and professional equipment. Gainesville real estate broker Niya Dix mowed the lawn. Her husband, developer Edwin Dix, operated the tractor that filled a dumpster with debris.
Their business, E.N.I. LLC, built the new homes across the street, but the hard work on this day was not for profit. It was a different way to support their family.
The Dix family recently created the Edvin Bryce Dix Community Development Corporation and performed this labor of love to honor their late son’s memory.
The busy couple could have overseen the inaugural Community Impact Event while delegating the down-and-dirty tasks to others. Instead, working side by side to help someone in their son’s name was a way to keep his spirit alive.
Family Connection
In April 2006, Niya and Edwin welcomed premature twins, a girl named Emya Brianne and a boy named Edvin Bryce. Soon after, their newborn son died while their daughter remained in the neonatal intensive care unit. They had the unimaginable task of caring for one baby while grieving another.
The Dix family was blessed with a second daughter, Eryn Bailee, in 2007. The spelling of each child’s name was carefully crafted to connect the family members. The letters in Niya’s name are woven into those of her children, while their three initials, EBD, match Edwin’s. Niya wears a bracelet every day with her son’s name.
Seventeen years later, the Dix family continues to prioritize the connection by giving back to the community in Edvin’s honor. A CDC was a natural way to combine decades of industry experience with a shared commitment to improving access to affordable housing. Their passion for helping those facing financial instability is driven by a particular goal- to make all three of their children proud.
‘Work Done In Love’
“Whether it’s replacing a broken window or repairing a roof, we want to be the ones that can help when no one else will,” Niya Dix said. “Our work is done in love. My son would want that to be his legacy.”
Niya owns Royal Realty, the only independent, black-woman-owned brokerage in Gainesville. She and her husband partner to operate E.N.I. LLC, which specializes in remodeling, rehabbing and building spec or custom homes and buildings. Edwin’s career in real estate development has been dedicated to improving neighborhoods and opportunities for home ownership, particularly in East Gainesville.
The couple boasts an impressive resume of philanthropic efforts. Niya advocates for children by serving on numerous boards and has extensive fundraising experience. Her husband, a Gainesville native, received the Hometown Hero Award from the Gainesville Alachua County Association of Realtors for his lifelong service.
Edvin Bryce Dix Community Development Corporation
The Edvin Bryce Dix Community Development Corporation is focused on strengthening Alachua County and surrounding counties. They are committed to:
- Affordable Housing In partnership with community organizations, builders and developers, the EBD CDC encourages new construction of affordable housing and offers down payment assistance.
- Homebuyer Education First-time homebuyer workshops guide prospective buyers through each step. The free seminars include speakers with expertise in each phase.
- Community Impact Events Volunteers assist with landscaping, exterior painting and repairs. Foundation resources connect homeowners in need with other housing organizations for further support.
- Educational Scholarships The Edvin Bryce Dix Memorial Scholarship provides financial assistance to a high school senior pursuing college education. The grant will bestow between $1,000 to $10,000 to a Florida student each year.
After grieving privately for nearly two decades, Niya is proud to say her son’s name every day while doing important work in his honor. “There are no words that can describe the pain of losing a child, but we’ve found our purpose,” Niya said. “We want to take our tragedy and turn it into something good.”
To donate, volunteer or submit a request, contact Edvin Bryce Dix Community Development Corporation
Call: 352-559-2523
Email: [email protected]
Visit Edvinbrycedixcdc.com to learn more about upcoming first-time homebuyers’ workshops, community impact events and fundraisers, including their first annual gala in October 2024.