About Us

Leatherwood MATTERS carries forward the legacy of Mattie Leatherwood of Greenville, South Carolina. During the Great Migration, she cared for African American children while their parents moved north. She kept children safe and family ties intact while they awaited reunion.

That commitment continued through our home for children in foster care, where we helped more than 100 young people reunite with their families. Today, our STEAM programs and scholarships give young people opportunities to explore their talents, express their creativity, and connect with their community.

At Historic Richland Cemetery, family separation can be measured in both miles and generations. Descendants may live far from Greenville, while lost and scattered records make their family connections difficult to trace. By recovering burial records and documenting the lives of people interred there, we help descendants reconnect with their family across generations.

Leatherwood MATTERS works with the City of Greenville and the Richland Cemetery Advisory Committee to advance the preservation of Historic Richland Cemetery. 

Our approved AmeriCorps VISTA project will bring two full-time members to this work in 2027, with annual renewal planned for a three-year effort. 

A national board guides the organization, bringing professional experience and community perspectives from across the country.

From helping children reunite with their families, to supporting young people through STEAM, to helping descendants reconnect across generations, our work has changed while its purpose has remained: keeping families and communities connected.

We restore connections, celebrate shared history, and look forward to what comes next.