Meet Amber Van Horn (Founder)
“For years, I chased acceptance, hoping to find belonging among my cisgender peers. But living as an openly trans woman of color in Baltimore’s rigid heteronormative culture made one truth undeniable—change was not just necessary; it was urgent. This realization, however, was bigger than my own journey. I saw the divisions within the Black community—wounds carved by misunderstandings, barriers built by fear. And I asked myself: What if our lack of emotional regulation was preventing us from critical thinking? What if, through understanding, we could heal, grow stronger, and rise together? With that vision, 'Be Us' was born—not as an idea, but as a movement toward unity, respect, and love.” - Amber Van Horn
Our Vision
We envision a society where emotional health is prioritized as essential to human dignity, social cohesion, and lasting healing. Through culturally responsive programming and trauma-informed emotional regulation tools, we equip individuals and communities to reduce reactive behaviors, dismantle judgment and hate, and foster meaningful connection. Our overall goal is to improve the life experience of humanity—empowering people to navigate challenges with clarity, compassion, and resilience. We believe emotional intelligence is a catalyst for unity, transformation, and collective well-being across all lines of identity.