Video: Understanding the Hood Huggers Ecosystem
In this video created by the talented Julieta Fumberg, Hood Huggers co-founders DeWayne “B-Love” Barton and Safi Mahaba share the story behind the Hood Huggers Ecosystem and how a single act of care in Asheville’s Burton Street neighborhood grew into a connected network of projects rooted in art, healing, environmental stewardship, and economic justice.
Jeremiah’s HH story told by his mom, Latonya
The very first time he saw DeWayne “B-Love” Barton, co-founder of Hood Huggers Foundation, Jeremiah was just a kid playing basketball at the Burton Street community center with a friend. DeWayne noticed him, struck up a conversation, and invited him to get involved in the community.
Meet Tah
Tah is 22, and he is building a future with purpose. After earning his GED, he's been accepted into Warren Wilson College, where he plans to study environmental engineering.
“I want to study environmental engineering because you get to work on the land and heal it, plant trees, and make sure nobody messes anything up. That’s gonna be very cool, like a ranger, but on steroids.”
Congratulations to our participants!
They completed their participation in the 2025-2026 Hood Huggers Foundation's Under Instruction Program! We're very proud of their commitment, perseverance, and growth. We celebrated the only way that felt right: pizza, a fun afternoon at Retrocade, and diplomas!
What’s the connection between our workforce development programs and Blue Note Junction?
“Blue Note Junction is the top of the flower. The peace garden is the root; it’s how we started, it’s the dirt, but Blue Note Junction is the flower that everybody will see. That flower will provide a lot of different opportunities for not only the community that lives here, but also for travelers and tourists alike.”