About
Butterfly Village Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating an
environment that will empower women and girls to succeed academically,
socially, and professionally. Butterfly Village Inc. uses a holistic approach in
assisting women and girls break the cycles of poverty, teen pregnancy, and
domestic abuse. It is through our key components, EXPLORE, CONNECT, and
EMPOWER, women, and girls will recognize their full potential. We offer
opportunities to explore new experiences; connect with positive role models;
and be empowerED to push through adversity.
Women and girls are impacted by issues that hinder their capability to thrive.
Domestic violence, inequalities, health risks, and lack of access to services are just
a few experiences that can sabotage a woman’s capability to reach her full
potential. Butterfly Village Inc. is dedicated to creating a community in which
women and girls are equipped with the necessary skills, tools, and education to
navigate life's challenges with confidence, character, and boldness.
"A butterfly always remembers that there is beauty at the end of all the pain."
Our Mission
Our mission is to cultivate positive change in the lives of women and girls. We
envision girls to be confident leaders and recognize their inner strengths. They
will succeed in school, college, the workplace, and their communities. They will use
their voices, minds, and talents to influence individual and collective change.
Meet our Founder
Katina Barnes
Founder
Barnes also serves as Founder and Executive Director of Butterfly Village Incorporated, a nonprofit organization designed to cultivate positive change in the lives of women and girls.
Katina W. Barnes, a native of Suffolk, Virginia, earned a degree in Fashion Marketing & Design from the Art Institute of Atlanta and obtained a Bachelor in Social Work and Masters in Urban Education: Community Counseling from Norfolk State University. Mrs. Barnes has spent most of her career strengthening families and empowering communities. Her passion was ignited while employed at Children's Hospital of The Kings Daughters. There, she coordinated enrollment for uninsured children to obtain free health insurance in state health insurance programs. She also assisted the department of Physician Services with physician contracts. Her journey of making a difference in the lives of others led her to The Up Center in 1999, a non-profit organization specializing in helping people live better lives. After serving a little over eleven years in Prevention Services, she decided to extend her career to higher education. She joined Tidewater Community College in 2011 as an Adjunct Instructor and an Academic Advisor. She was promoted within the first year to serve as the inaugural Director of the Portsmouth Campus Student Center, 2012 – 2017. A state-of-the-art facility designed to foster student engagement, Ms. Barnes changed the culture of co-curricular learning by establishing student success initiatives, incorporating collaborative learning experiences and creating a vibrant environment for academic success. Currently, as the Coordinator of Dual Enrollment Academies on the Portsmouth Campus, she provides opportunities for high school students to concurrently earn a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.
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Ms. Barnes’ diverse background has led to numerous transformational opportunities. She volunteers as lead advisor for a mentoring ministry for teenage girls, coordinates breast cancer awareness activities supporting the American Cancer Society and facilitates a variety of groups in Hampton Roads. Ms. Barnes is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and serves as Secretary for Portsmouth Schools Foundation, and Lefcoe Board of Trustees. She is a past board member for YMCA Effingham Street Portsmouth, Prevent Child Abuse of Hampton Roads, and member of National Association of Social Workers, Hampton Roads Chapter of Black Social Workers, and Hampton Roads Counselors Association. She is the recipient of the Tidewater Community College 2017 Martin Luther King Jr. College Distinguished Service Award and National Coalition of 100 Black Women Distinguished Leader Award 2018. An alum of Lefcoe Leadership Class 2014 and Lead Hampton Roads Class of 2020, Mrs. Barnes enjoys speaking on topics promoting leadership, women’s empowerment and student success.
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Ms. Barnes also serves as Founder and Executive Director of Butterfly Village Incorporated, a nonprofit organization designed to cultivate positive change in the lives of women and girls. Butterfly Village provides services for women and girls to excel in STEM as well in their personal and professional life. Ms. Barnes is married with one adult son. She enjoys spending time with her family, interior decorating, collecting tea cups and settling at the beach. Her philosophy is “always believe in yourself, your dreams, and strive to make a difference each day”.
