Heal.Understand. Empower
BAKERY IN TOWN
We are an intergenerational, youth led, collective serving our communities through actionable freedom schooling, creating an unbroken chain of freedom fighters for generations to come, until freedom rings!
WHAT WE STAND FOR
heal yourself. understand your world. empower your community.
MISSION, VISION, VALUES..
Our Mission
Heal Understand Empower provides experiential learning opportunities for people of all ages: practicing sustainability, curriculum, and intergenerational coaching for organizations & individuals. We host an annual summer camp where exploration, curiosity, the importance of shared social responsibility, and nature are celebrated. At HUE, we heal generational divides, disrupting adultism and nurturing leadership skills across all ages. We are creating an unbroken chain of freedom fighters for generations to come, until freedom rings. Join us!
Our Vision
We envision a world where the contributions of young people are respected and recognized as an essential part of liberated communities. In this future, people of all ages have the time and space needed to heal, to understand our world and our role in it, and access to tools that empower us to be change makers. May this work be strongly rooted, lovingly nurtured, and easily pollinated wherever folks are ready to grow.
Our History
under construction…
Meet Our Team
Cherizar Lee-Crippen is a Black and Indigenous bisexual troublemaker, mother to many gaybies, even more plants, and one perfect fur baby. Her work recognizes and centers healing justice and youth leadership development as foundational to sustainable movements. She is based out of the South, serving her community as a program director, facilitator, genealogist, historian, writer, Emergent Strategist, and certified somatic centering practitioner. Cherizar is an aborisha in the Ifa tradition and a proud Hoodoo protected by a legion of ancestors.
Cherizar Chrippen
Executive Director
Nadine Niang is a twenty five year old Black, Senegalese-American artist based in Atlanta Georgia with 10 years organizing experience. Their journey in organizing started in a writing non-profit called Deep that focused on amplifying BIPOC voices in Savannah. This work eventually led them to working at Highlander Research Center in multiple programs, namely Seeds of Fire and Children’s Justice Camp. They have been in community with this group of trailblazers since 2018, and are excited to keep doing the work. Nadine has a passion for writing & art and has been published several times, and has facilitated many art and writing workshops. They hope to continue to use art to foster change, education, liberation and a thrill for imagination. Their hopes for the future include becoming a full-time writer, getting a cat and to open a library for youth in Senegal. In their spare time they love reading, writing, playing video games, watching cartoons, going outside and being amongst friends
Nadine Niang
Operations Coordinator
Indika Bridgewater is a queer, biracial individual from Greensboro, NC and is entering their senior year of high school. They have been part of youth organizing for the past three years creating workshops for Highlander Research and Education Center Children’s Justice Camp, HREC Homecoming, and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro Teen Grant Making Council. They’re excited about this opportunity to continue developing their own leadership and that of other youth. Indika has a passion for educating youth and aspires to become a secondary education teacher with a history focus. Indika brings their sense of responsibility and organizational skills to any team they work with. In their spare time, Indika loves reading books, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.
Indika Bridgewater
Archivist
Leilani- Leilani Carden is a biracial black/ white woman, studying neuroscience and philosophy in Maryville, TN. She is passionate about creative thinking and self-expression, especially in young people. Being more self-aware and utilizing outlets like art and music at a young age allows for healthier interactions with our feelings and experiences.
Leilani Carden
Development Co-lead
Macaiah Harrison is an African American organizer from Knoxville, TN, currently studying theatre and music business in Chicago, IL. Macaiah has been a involved with this group of talented educators for 7 years and loves organizing and working with youth of all ages. They have a strong ability to think on their feet and is a highly resourceful, CPR certified, capable worker. Her interpersonal skills are an asset to any team she is on. HUE holds a special place in Macaiah’s heart. She’s spent years as a camper in previous programs and looks forward to developing a new program that embraces youth and their healing and growth. In their spare time, they enjoy dancing, hanging out with friends, writing, and making art. Some of her passion include the arts, sustainability organizing, thrifting and working with youth.
Macaiah Harrison
Communications Lead
By educating the youth and creating art, Mason hopes to reinforce his community and encourage new ways of thinking. Since age 13, he has been involved in various social justice programs, providing him the experience necessary to help bring workshops and camp to life. As creative director, Mason’s goal is making the journey to Southern liberation, a beautiful one.
Mason Arana
Creative Director
Blue Wilkinson, 20, is an alternative and artistic mind and a sculpture major at Warren Wilson College. She has been involved with this incredible group of people since 2020 and will continue to work closely to bring all of our wonderful aspirations to fruition using creative methods. Coming from a family of passionate and quirky artists, she hones a lot of weird skills that she’s always excited to share and explore.
Blu Wilkinson
Development Co-lead
Marcus Williams is the Cultural Curator at HUE. He collects the perspectives of his community and curates educational opportunities that bring together future generations, preparing them to create better communities through social justice. Marcus’ advocacy work with Black Swan Academy includes pushing for new laws and bills to be passed to better DMV communities and confronting the government about their greedy ways. Marcus has a knack for evolving, adapting, and problem solving. He is an Engineering major and future Morehouse College alum, and in his free time he loves watching anime and reading manga. Marcus’ motto is, “knowledge IS key, and that is on PERIOD”.
Marcus Williams
Cultural Curator
Winter Belle Smith is a 16-year-old Black girl from Greensboro North Carolina. She’s the oldest sibling, a proud Sagittarius, and loves being social once she’s comfortable. Shes very passionate about social justice, she volunteers through the Greensboro Teen Achievers inspired by her activist mom who has brought Winter to many social justice and organization events. Winter loves music, art, biology and her two dogs, Ka$h and Sophie. She’s full of laughter, always has a backup plan, and if she’s not working she’s probably napping or out with some friends.
Winter Belle Smith
Itinerant
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hue4change@protonmail.com
