Peace, and greetings, Earth justice warriors.
My name is Cortina (she/they) and thank you for welcoming me into your farmily! I am a Western North Carolina native, born and raised in Burke County, schooled in my early adulthood at UNC Greensboro in Guilford County, and built the beginnings of my career in Durham County. I now live in Asheville, NC, and glad to call the land that was once that of the T'salgi (Cherokee) - my ancestors - home once again.
I fully recognize and celebrate the magic, synchronistic and beautiful collision of realities that converged to bring me to Rising Earth Immersion at the Eco-Institute. While I'm likely the newest member of the Rising Earth team, from what I can tell we are all kindred in our shared love of permaculture-rooted principles, the intersection of art + activism, and the learning that happens when nature is welcomed as a teacher and a "classroom". I am grateful that a space like Rising Earth Immersion exists to gather the youth and young adults that are declaring a resounding YES to a radical, transformational experience to propel them and us, into the world as more grounded and equipped agents of change.
I am a queer, Two-Spirit descending from generations of Southern, West African & indigenous farmers, artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and creatives. I am an entrepreneur who learned at my grandmother's hands, a published poet/writer, motivational speaker, artist of many mediums, community builder, cultural organizer, creative facilitator, event + experience designer, and consultant/coach for individuals, groups, businesses and communities seeking to more deeply connect with their creative possibilities. I am the Founder & Creative Community Organizer of Artists Designing Evolution (adé PROJECT), which I will surely share more about as we exchange stories. In addition to composing adé PROJECT, I also manage my own work as an artist, healer, facilitator and cultural organizer and often find myself leading racial equity, anti-racism, entrepreneurship, and gender justice projects.
I have a relentless hope for humanity because I remember and know of our greatness and possibility in creating from uncertainty and wonder. I am an unapologetic Earth warrior, and truth teller. I love hard, and have a beautiful community all over the world which has only continued to reinforce my belief that life is magic, and our resilience and commitment to existing is miraculous. I'm an avid reader...kinda building an unlearning library at the moment, am mostly plant-based, and consider Mother Nature to be my greatest guide and only spirituality/religion. I look forward to meeting each of you, holding space for your story, and learning and unlearning alongside you!
In Solidarity & Service,
Cortina
