Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

Yan Wang | Visual Artist & Printmaker

Growing up in China within a specific and non-universal political frame, my identity plays an essential role in my artworks, even if they are composed here in the States.I have spent the past one year to create animated shorts utilizing frame-by-frame monoprints, which pays tribute to my printmaking background. The narrative of the animations centers around the female identity, and how this life of an individual can reflect common themes of a bigger group of women. Read more>>

Raz | Illustrator, graphic desinger and comic book artist

Thats a big question. My parents are from Costa Rica and imigrated to the US back in the late 60’s to Long Branch New Jersey where I was eventually born. My parents always made sure their culture was also part of me but that’s just the start. My parents did move around a lot as a kid and I picked things and influences along the way. My parents ended up move across the country to settle in the Los Angeles area. As a kid I soaked up that LA culture. Read more>>

RAMA-don | Artist

I am from Lansing Michigan a place full of desperation and promise. It’s an anomaly just like me and it is also the most inter-racialized place that I know of. Unlike our big brother Detroit. I was off the porch at a young age running from a dysfunctional household. These few simple elements played a huge part in my character and world view. Read more>>

Paul Blake | Motivational speaker, Minister, Author, Mentor, Coach, Entrepreneur, Professional Counselor

I am from Jamaica. I grew up in a poor farming community. I suffered from low self-esteem as a child because I was not doing well academically. My parents divorced when I was 15 years old. This affected how I viewed life, especially as a young adult. For much of my young adult life, I did not have much sense of direction. i always knew I wanted to make a difference in the world. I just did not know how to do it. My turning point came in 1998 when I became a Christian and my interest was sparked in serving in the ministry. Read more>>

William Motton | President of 5TH & J Cabinetry

I’m from Aliquippa Pennsylvania a small town North West of Pittsburgh. My Grandfather Jessie Wilkins owned a small neighborhood store that I worked in starting at the age of 9. I would go into the store and ask my Grandad for a candy bar and he would make me work the cash register for an hour to pay for the candy bar. This taught me two things nothing is free and how important math is! Math was and is my strongest subject. Read more>>

Arsenio Watlington | Entreprenuer

I am born and raised in the US Virgin Islands. Island life is truly different; Ive been surrounded by a strong community my whole life. Specifically; my family. My parents and siblings have truly worked hard their whole life. Their work ethic is Top Tier. Also being from a small island innately make you more curious. I was fortunate enough to travel and experience a lot as a kid. To many trips to count; Lastly, it was early on in the Virgin Islands I was taught the beautiful game of baseball and that has made who I am today. Read more>>

Nyetta Holyfield | Kids Activity Guide

I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. I grew up in a neighborhood by the name of Kirkwood. Growing up, it was typical rundown and hood environment. Majority of us in the neighborhood lived in houses well above it’s capacity. We definitely had roaches and rats growing up. Read more>>