05/04/2026
Owner CDRY Cassandra Wilson had the opportunity to meet, and engage with Dewayne Barton, Founder and CEAO of Hood Huggers International.
Hood Huggers International offers a powerful lens into Ashevilleβs living history through the concept of Affrilachia, centering the stories, contributions, and resilience of African Americans in Appalachia. It moves beyond traditional storytelling to reveal how culture, memory, and identity continue to shape the city today.
At the 2026 South and Appalachian Creative Place Making Summit, Dewayne presented Everybody Huddle Up - Making restoring the planet a universal sport!
This session offers practical tools for organizers, artists, and community leaders to implement comprehensive approaches that address neighborhoods, education, and sustainable business development simultaneously rather than in isolation.