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.

DJ Soul | DJ, Teacher and Minister of Music

Great question, I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. Growing up in the rough part of Baltimore was interesting. However, because I was taught by my parents (who happened to be preachers) my life is the way it is today. I would say I’m disciplined, hard working, respectful and resilient. Many of these traits can be attributed to my upbringing and the principles that my parents instilled in me. Read more>>

Jasmine Coach | Professional Artist

I am from North Augusta, SC. I was brought up in a blue collar household, where my mom was and still is a kindergarten teacher and my dad works for Bridgestone. At a young age my parents instilled in me and my three other siblings that we can have anything in life if we just worked hard for it and remained dedicated to it. Read more>>

Patrice Hudson | MY STORY & CREATIVE

My name is Patrice “Hudson”. I’m a Woman who is succeeding from my past to my Future. I was born in California. Growing up from a infant to the age of 3 years old I was in Foster Care. My social worker discover that I had a brother. The next step was us meeting each other. That day we bonded so well I didn’t want to leave him. The second time we meet again we was in a foster home together. That feeling was a brother and Sister love nothing can separate us. Read more>>

Aundrya Richardson | Author | Entrepreneur | Speaker | Editor

I am originally from Gainesville, Florida, where I grew up with both parents and I’m the oldest of three children. While I don’t despise the way my parents raised me, I grew up in a very strict, religious and structured environment. We were your typical church going family and both of my parents were ministers, so the bar was raised high as it pertained to expectations and rules I had to follow. Read more>>