Hood Huggers in the Media

National & Cultural Institutions

• Smithsonian Institution: Why Vote? Exhibition

• C-SPAN: Civil Rights History and Urban Renewal

• AFAR Magazine: Touring Black Asheville

• Next City: Business Incubator for Black Entrepreneurs

• Hyperallergic: Artist Uncovers Hidden History

Regional Coverage

• Mountain Xpress: DeWayne Barton Feeds Mouth and Spirit

• Mountain Xpress: Community Garden Rallies Neighborhood

• Mountain Xpress: Peace Garden Partners with Local Theater

• Asheville Made: Finding Art Made Him Feel Better

• About Asheville: African American Community on a Hood Tour

• The Laurel of Asheville: Spotlight on Blue Note Junction

• Appalachian Voices: Building Opportunity in West Asheville

Local News

• WLOS: Asheville Program Gives Youth Fresh Start with Construction Training

• WLOS: Groups Give Back Through MLK Day Service Projects

Recognition & Awards

2022 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award

Chosen by tour guests as top 10% of attractions worldwide

Featured on Kayak

Recognized as a must-experience Asheville attraction

2019 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader

Awarded to DeWayne Barton for community health and wellness work

Media Resources

Press Kit Downloads

• Hood Huggers Logos (all versions)

• High-Resolution Photos

• Team Bios & Headshots

• Organization Fact Sheet

• CAP Framework Overview

Quick Facts

• Founded: 2015

• Founder & CEO: DeWayne Barton

• Mission: Creating a culture of sustainability that is inclusive and economically just using art, environment, and social enterprise

• Location: Asheville, NC

• Programs: Hood Tours, Peace Gardens & Market, Blue Note Junction, Youth Workforce Development

For Photographers & Videographers

High-resolution images available for editorial use.
Contact media@hoodhuggers.org for access.

Social Media

Follow our work and share our story:

Instagram: @hood_huggers

Facebook: Hood Huggers International

Media Contact: media@hoodhuggers.org

Hood Huggers International and Hood Huggers Foundation are committed to rebuilding Affrilachia through community-driven development, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment.