Meet Founder Carrie Bernans

Planting Seeds of Chan

​The CB Seed Foundation was founded by SAG Award winner, and philanthropist Carrie Bernans, a Memphis native with a passion for empowering underserved communities. Growing up in a single-parent household with a teenage mother, Carrie experienced firsthand the challenges faced by families living in poverty. Despite these hardships, she was instilled with the values of resilience, education, and giving back, which have shaped her journey and mission.

Carrie’s childhood, which spanned from her birthplace of Hopewell, VA, to Panama, and later Memphis, TN, was marked by frequent moves and early exposure to cultural diversity. These experiences prepared her for a global perspective, leading her to study abroad in China, France, Germany, and the U.K. She speaks six languages fluently—Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, French, Latvian, Russian, and English—giving her a unique ability to connect with people worldwide.

Inspired by her namesake grandmother Carrie, who often said, “Plant the seeds of change, and you’ll grow a better tomorrow,” Carrie launched the CB Seed Foundation in 2019. The organization focuses on addressing youth homelessness, improving reading and financial literacy, and building self-esteem and communication skills among young people. Since its inception, CB Seed Foundation has impacted over 1,200 families, with 80% of its work centered in Memphis.

Carrie’s illustrious career in Hollywood includes roles in Marvel's Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame, and Wakanda Forever. She has also been featured in NOPE, Emancipation, X-Men: The Dark Phoenix, and more. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry, Carrie has won a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award, been nominated for two additional SAG Awards, and received an Emmy nomination. Beyond her professional accolades, Carrie was honored with a proclamation from her hometown of Memphis for her impact as an artist and philanthropist.