Rebuilding Affrilachia: The Art of Resilience
Building greater communication, connection and wealth in systemically marginalized neighborhoods in the Affrilachian region. Rebuilding Affrilachia: The Art of Resilience
Hood Tours is a recipient of Tripadvisor’s 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award, chosen directly by our tour patrons as top 10% of attractions worldwide! Hood Huggers International, LLC offe
rs sustainable strategies for building support pillars for resilient historically African American neighborhoods, providing a framework for community capacity building while increasing the effectiveness of existing service programs. DeWayne-Barton-HHIDeWayne Barton (B-Love), Founder & CEO of Hood Huggers International, is a sculptor and poet who combines his creative practice with community activism. A native of Asheville, NC, Barton grew up in Washington, D.C. He attended Norfolk State University from 1996-1999, majoring in Social Work. He is the author of two books of poetry, Urban Nightmare Silent Screams and Return to Burton Street, and has been involved in community improvement and youth development for over 20 years. As a visual and performing artist, Barton is involved in justice issues — both through his art and his community involvement. His mixed-media, found-art installations have been featured at Duke University, Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of African American History and Culture, Upstairs Gallery, and August Wilson Museum as part of Affrilachian Artist Project. Barton is co-founder of the Burton Street Community Peace Gardens and serves on the African American Heritage Commission, CoThinkk, and the City of Asheville Neighborhood Advisory Board. He is the co-founder of Green Opportunities, a job training program designed to prepare Asheville area youth and adults for “green-collar” careers.
