Amakiasu Turpin-Howze

Faculty

Amakiasu has been an educator for over 30 years, teaching in both public and private school settings from grades k-8.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Fisk University and Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan, her state of birth.  In 1983 she moved to Atlanta where she married and raised three children who are now young adults.  Some years ago, she pursued education outside of the classroom and happily landed at Truly Living Well Center for Urban Agriculture, where she served as garden educator and camp director for eight years. Howze also designed school gardens, conducted teacher training and led numerous corporate volunteer events at TLW. In addition to her interest in urban ag and gardening in general, Amakiasu has a longstanding desire in community building and rethinking community design.

In related fields, Amakiasu directed the family and children’s programs of the first National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta and also served as educational facilitator in the inaugural year of the Georgia Aquarium, helping to build out its educational program.

Amakiasu is currently focusing on her writing and on a business she has launched called EarthShine, which exposes children and teens to the wonders of the natural world. EarthShine also includes her Eco-Hood Design-and-Build Project along with Soulstice, which introduces young folks to careers they’ve never heard of.

Amakiasu has traveled abroad several times, visiting or living in England, France, South Africa, and Hong Kong.