What does it look like to build food sovereignty, sustainable community, and economic independence from the ground up?

In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, host KJ Hill sits down with Skip Gibbs, founder of Brightwood Agriculture Group, to talk about how farming, homesteading, and intentional community can transform Durham.

Skip shares his journey from artist and entrepreneur to community builder—how a chance conversation led him to sell everything, move to the woods, and dedicate himself to creating something bigger. Over three years, he transformed a five-acre parcel in East Durham into a thriving homestead and launched initiatives like [re]DINE and now [re]NOURISH, a meal prep service that gives back to community fridges.

Together, we talk about:

The power of growing up in community and how that shaped Skip's vision for urban agriculture From tattooing and restaurants to building an agri-hood with affordable housing and wraparound services Dignity as a practice: treating everyone with respect regardless of economic status [re]NOURISH: A meal prep model that serves subscribers while feeding community fridges Why Durham is uniquely positioned to build shared economic models and set a new standard for business The opportunity for Black and Brown folks and white allies to build legacy together

Get Involved / Learn More:

Visit Brightwood Agriculture Group: bagncompany.org

[re]NOURISH Meals: renourishmeal.com

Interested in learning more about ReCity Network? Visit: recitynetwork.org

What does it look like to rebuild your life when you’ve lost work, lost stability, and need someone in your corner?

In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, host KJ Hill sits down with Cashmere Bentley, Interim Executive Director of StepUp Durham—one of ReCity Network’s longest-tenured partners—to talk about how StepUp helps people move toward employment, confidence, and long-term stability.

Cashmere shares her journey of coming to StepUp during COVID after losing her job, then growing from participant to apprentice, success coach, program leader, and now executive leadership. Along the way, she explains what makes StepUp different: practical job-readiness support paired with real relationship, warmth, and belief.

Together, we talk about:

Get Involved / Learn More:

Interested in learning more about ReCity Network? Visit: https://www.recitynetwork.org/

What does it look like to come home—and actually have the support to stay home?

In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, host KJ Hill sits down with the Restorative Transitions team—Sarah Landis, Bobby Harrington, Clint Barrett, and Geno Eaves—to talk about reentry, belonging, and the practical steps that help justice-involved individuals rebuild their lives in community.

Restorative Transitions empowers participants through holistic case management, meeting people where they are and helping them set their own short- and long-term goals. From stable housing to IDs, healthcare, job readiness, budgeting, transportation, and mentorship, RT provides wraparound support—along with something just as essential: a culture of welcome with no strings attached.

Together, we talk about:

Get Involved / Learn More:

Visit Restorative Transitions: restorativetransitions.org

Interested in learning more about ReCity Network? Visit: https://www.recitynetwork.org

What does it take to build a city where everyone can move safely—no matter how they get around?

In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, host KJ Hill sits down with John Tallmadge, Executive Director of Bike Durham, a longtime ReCity partner that’s been part of the community since 2018. John shares how Bike Durham began as a grassroots effort to make biking safer—and how that work grew into a broader mission: safe, affordable, and sustainable transportation for everyone in Durham, regardless of who they are or where they live.

From organizing residents to influence transportation decisions to teaching bike safety in Durham Public Schools to creating community-wide events like Move-A-Bull City, Bike Durham is helping shape a Durham where walking, biking, rolling, and transit are safer and more accessible for all.

Together, we talk about:

Get Involved / Learn More:

Visit Bike Durham: http://bikedurham.org/

Interested in learning more about ReCity Network? Visit: https://www.recitynetwork.org

What does whole health really look like when it’s rooted in community?

In this episode of ReCity Chronicles, we sit down with Tonita Flowers, Program Coordinator with PIRE (Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation) and the TakeCare initiative—bringing a powerful, research-backed model of well-being from the VA space back into the community, right here in Durham.

Tonita shares how TakeCare centers mind, body, spirit, and community through a nine-week cohort experience (plus a new two-hour introductory experience) designed to help people move from “What’s wrong with me?” to “What matters to me?”—without judgment, without therapy talk, and without anyone being told what to do. 

Instead, TakeCare creates space for peer-to-peer learning, storytelling, and practical goal-setting that supports real, lasting behavioral change.

Together, we talk about:

Get Involved / Learn More:

If you’re a community organization, leader, or team looking to strengthen wellness and resilience from the inside out, this conversation is for you.