Meet Our Founder
Bridgett Hitchings, LMSW, M.Ed
CEO
Bridgett has worked with a range of organizations and schools creating and delivering programs that educate, inspire, connect, and heal. As an executive leadership coach, she has supported leaders with strategic planning, building affirming team culture, developing equitable family engagement/leadership initiatives, and creating school-wide systems that support the culture, race, and unique gifts of youth through content, rituals, and wellness support structures.
Bridgett is a Licensed Master Social Worker and Certified Nonprofit Professional with a BS in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana, a M.Ed. in Administration & Supervision from National Louis University, and a MSW in Community Partnerships from Georgia State University. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management & Social Enterprise from GSU.
Bridgett Hitchings is an educator, social worker, and advocate with nearly 20 years of experience empowering youth and the leaders who nurture them. She believes in the power of the village and when all the children are well, the village thrives. Gandhi’s quote - whatever you do for me, but without me, you do against me - has served as a guide in her work as a people-first, results-oriented leader with diverse experiences supporting youth at the individual, family, and community levels.
Bridgett is a systems thinker. She thrives on the bridge that connects big-picture visioning to the detailed execution. Her strength lies in taking big goals and operationalizing them, while her passion lies in empowering others and strengthening the village. Maggie’s Village LLC was born at the intersection where her skills and passion meet. This is her heart work.
Who's Maggie?
The Story of Maggie Lena Walker
Maggie L. Walker, c. 1900 (The Valentine, Witherspoon Collection)
Maggie Lena Walker (1864-1934) is most commonly known as the first Black woman (well, any woman) to charter and lead a bank during a time in the United States when many white-owned banks were reluctant, or refused, to do business with African Americans. Her legacy, however, is so much more than her success as a bank president. She was a community leader, civil rights activist, and trailblazing entrepreneur dedicated to improving the economic and social standing of African Americans. In addition to the bank, she started a newspaper and department store that employed and catered to the needs of the Black residents. She was also active in civic groups, serving on the board of trustees for the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and co-founding the local chapter of the NAACP where she also served as vice president. Her commitment to defeating racism, sexism, and economic oppression was evident in all the ways she created avenues to help Black families thrive.
Maggie’s Village is named in honor of this dynamic leader. We are building upon her legacy of using a collaborative multi-pronged approach to support the advancement of our community. Learn more about Maggie's Story at the National Historic Site of Virginia and the Virginia Encyclopedia.