Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Mia Brinson | Performance Coach

I am from South Florida and am a first-generation college graduate and professional, which is a loaded statement. It comes with a lot of weight, burden, and responsibility. For me, this also meant, I had a lack of guidance in how to navigate the corporate world, and corporate culture, and had no one’s history to lean on in making wisdom-based decisions. Additionally, I had no clue what to do when someone stole my ideas or how to negotiate my pay or how to react when I got passed up for promotion or someone to help me understand if job titles really matter, or to even know when it’s time to move on to the next place. Read more>>

Kimberla Lawson Roby | New York Times Bestselling Author & Speaker

I was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, and still reside in the area. I was also raised in a Christian home where I was taught to love and honor God and to treat others the way I wanted to be treated. Additionally, I was raised by parents, who not only worked very hard in the auto/factory industry so that my brothers and me would have everything we needed, but they also taught us why it was important to work hard and be able to take care of ourselves. So, all of the above certainly had a wonderful impact as it relates to who I am today. Read more>>

Coach Michelamonè | Certified Life, Professional & Relationship Coach

I’m from Chicago Illinois. I’ve lived pretty much all over the city. The Northside, Eastside, Southside and Westside of the city. I’ve moved so much in my life that I went to seven different elementary schools. This didn’t allow me to make many friends growing up because I never stayed anywhere longer than a year.. The impact this had on my life was multifaceted. It made me not to trust and or easily create friendships but it did make me resilient and agile. Read more>>

Josh Ahlzadeh | Managing Director / CEO at Delza Properties Management, Development, and Leasing Firm.

I was born and raised in Dunwoody / Sandy Springs. My father was a jewish Iranian immigrant who came to this country after the revolution in his country forced him, his siblings, and parents out. It was a big adjustment and a hard time in his life, but he worked extremely hard to achieve the American dream and take advantage of all of the opportunities this country afforded him. He met my mother (a Virginia Beach native) at Lennox Mall in 1985, and two and a half years later they got married and I was brought into this world. Read more>>

Darrell Wimbush Jr | Electrician

I’m from Atlanta (Grady baby), and was raised on the westside. I lived with my grandparents, with one of my younger sisters and four of my cousins. My upbringing has taught me humility, dedication, hard work, and sacrifice. At the age of eight, I started playing with my grandfather tools. And by ten I had assembled an entertainment stand for my grandmother that to this day she still has. Read more>>

Malik Newton | HBCU Band Media Producer

I was born in Atlanta, GA and raised in Stone Mountian, GA. I attended the Great Redan High School. I was introduced to music in the sixth grade at Woodridge Elementary where I started out on trumpet. One day the band director made some comments towards me in front of everyone and my dad didn’t take too kind to it. That evening he went right up to the school and communicated to the band director on my behalf and the next day in class he had a band new attitude and started me out on my new instrument,the baritone. Read more>>

Charles McCreary | Cannabis Connoisseur

I’m from Detroit, MI. The best place on Earth! The media makes it seem like the worst, most dangerous city in the world. But behind that cloak is a city filled with the most creative, hustling, loving people you could meet. My city impacted me by teaching me how to “go and get it” regardless of your situation. It showed me how to move with integrity and that standing on your morals is a foundational part of life. Read more>>

Paty Anderson | Party curator & Creative Design

Growing up in a small town surrounded by lots of family had a great impact on my life. I am originally from Belle Glade, Florida but now reside in metro Atlanta. My upbringing made me value the most important things in life which are Christ and family. I’ve carried that from my youth to now as a mom and wife and into my business. I think it is reflected in my work ethic and integrity, as I work with a servant heart. Read more>>

Devon Harris | Real Estate Agent & Investor

I’m originally from Detroit, Michigan but grew up in Birmingham, Alabama closer towards the Hoover/Pelham area. Although we were raised by a single mother, my brother and I grew up in a close knit family oriented environment. We’ve always been shown more love than we needed, and because of the massive support from friends and family- this allowed my mother to build a rather successful career in the military over the years to provide for her family. Lack of better words- we were absolutely brought up with a silver spoon. This isn’t something I avoid mentioning because not everyone is blessed enough to say that. I only hope to do the same or even more for my children. Read more>>