SoulGrown is a digital publication that highlights the culture, beauty, and people making Alabama - the Soul of the South - proud. Founded in 2013 by Ellis Terry, SoulGrown’s mission is to show off the very best of Alabama and contribute to a positive, outside perception. Following its rapid growth on social media, SoulGrown combined with YHN Media Group to launch the online storytelling outlet in April 2021. The platform honors the artisans, traditions (both old and new), food, events and destinations that make Alabama so special. We champion the state’s discoveries and celebrate its hidden delights.
We invest in people. Our team of industry experts produce quality written pieces and high-end imagery that highlight the beautiful people and places that make up the Soul of the South. Let us introduce ourselves.
Courtney Hancock began her career in marketing & communications after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English from Samford University in 2014. Returning to her first love of writing in 2019, she entered the media industry to help brands creatively tell their stories. Courtney joined Yellowhammer Multimedia as Creative Services Director in June 2021 to assist the business development side in producing innovative messaging and content strategies for advertising partners. In 2022, she was named CEO of SoulGrown to ensure the brand’s continued growth and to serve as a champion for the businesses and people of Alabama. She and her husband Joel have two son’s and reside in Birmingham, AL.
Alabama native Ellis Terry founded SoulGrown in 2013 while studying at The University of Alabama with a desire to showcase the style and beauty found throughout his home state. Through its unique perspective on Southern culture, today SoulGrown shares the personality of Alabama with people across the world. Ellis and his wife, Emily, reside in Birmingham, Alabama.
A Birmingham native and marketing strategist, Kate Fitch has a passion for utilizing mindful strategies to create meaningful results. After spending several years working and traveling throughout the U.S. and beyond, she has come to appreciate the beauty of home and community. She founded Local Living Birmingham, a directory created to increase visibility for local businesses in her hometown, as a way to express this appreciation. Over the course of her career, she has taken on projects from a range of clients in need of curated, conscious marketing strategies.
With a love for branding and for the creative industries, the past few years have allowed Randall to create a diverse resume filled with experiences in fashion, retail and social media. Along the way, he has filled a toolbox of invaluable interpersonal skills, knowledge of marketing and public relations, and has been honored with opportunities to develop social content and strategies, marketing plans and photoshoots to scale brands such as Aviate and Good Grit Magazine; brands that challenged him to improve each day and allowed constant, innovative thinking as a way of life. His ambitious personality combined with a flair for the social scene has made him one of Birmingham’s most beloved and is exactly why he sits on the board of Young Professionals of Birmingham!
Hayden has been serving small businesses and people with her gifting as a wordsmith for many years. Her goal as a writer is to say it well for you. Hayden will save you time and stress by giving you the power through words to grow and achieve your dreams in your business. Her concise style and way with words brings to light the heart of your brand and presents your message clearly. When you use Words by Hayden you don’t just say it, you say it well.
SoulGrown actively fosters partnerships and collaborations with small businesses, organizations, and individuals across Alabama, promoting community engagement and amplifying local voices.