Our Team

BECAUSE it takes THE WHOLE village

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Sallie Higgins
Founder
executive Director
Homegirl industry inc., an alabama nonprofit

I grew up in Clanton, Alabama, moved to Los Angeles as a young adult, and resided in California for decades. When I returned to my hometown to begin this mission, I didn't have a name picked out for this org, there was only an idea to create something that would fill a much-needed service gap for my hometown community. Knowing this mission would take the whole village pitching in, I began going around, asking advise of others, and looking for like-minded souls who understood community needs and wanted to help in any way they could. In my quest I was so moved because I found many locals, many 'villagers' who passionately wanted to raise this child. Having grown up in the rural south and left long ago, I also discovered that folks down here are very apprised of whether you are from here, or not. Those who knew me would often qualify my right to be here on this mission by saying, in so many words, "she's been out in California for a long time . . . but she’s a HOMEGIRL". . .
The recurring label resonated, I knew this was the right name to sum up our goals. Homegirl Industry is about a southerner, a homegirl, coming home, in order to enable other homegirls to have a safe and secure place to call home.