Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Matt Campbell | Graphic Designer & Visual Storyteller

So I’m from Detroit and when I was growing up I wasn’t outside as much as I wanted because of the neighborhood I was raised in, but that allowed me to explore other means of having fun such as video games, drawing and anime. What that did, was unlock my creativity and made me aware of the outside world beyond the city I was raised in. To this day I am thankful for my upbringing. Read more>>

Chigo | Recording Artist

I was born in Riverdale, GA to a household of six but grew up in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Growing up in PH (as we call it) was hard initially. A new environment with people who spoke multiple languages, ate different foods, and listened to different kinds of music. Then there’s this “kid from America” who liked burgers, didn’t understand his native language, and listened to Aaliyah and Monica. I grew up in a household who loved music, my family and I would watch Michael Jackson and soul train VHS tapes and CDs which we still have till today. From there I knew I wanted to be an artist but I wasn’t sure what type of artist I wanted to be. Read more>>

Kim Ross | Realtor

I’m originally from a very small town in upstate NY. I grew up with a mentally ill father during the 90s and early 2000s and it had a huge impact on me and my own mental health. As a young teen and adult I used drugs as a coping mechanism and it took a long time to dig myself out of that mess. The difficult experiences I had as a child and young adult absolutely impacted the entrepreneur that I am today. I have always had something to prove to myself and I knew that I had more in me than I had done up to that point. Unfortunately, my father committed suicide 10 years ago. Experiencing that loss has only fueled me more to be the light in the world that people need. I love being a REALTOR because I get to help people in so many ways. Read more>>

Jacob Knight | Food Content Creator

Hello! I am originally from Phenix City, Alabama and I have been living in the Atlanta metro area since March 2022. As long as I can remember I was always a food lover. Growing up being black and Filipino was a unique experience when it comes to food. One week we’ll be having fried chicken with mac & cheese then the next week it’ll be chicken adobo. Growing up in the South soul food was everywhere but having Filipino food helped broaden my taste buds. My mom would always get Shopow, a steamed bun filled with pork, beef, or chicken, and Puto which is a steamed rice cake. So imagine the looks I got at the lunch table in elementary school when I pulled that out while the other kids had ham sandwiches. With that upbringing I have always been an adventurous eater. My mantra is that “I’ll try anything once”. Read more>>

Alexis Leaks | Owner of ICU Photo Experience/Casting Professional/Entertainment Specialist

My background has been instrumental in shaping the person I am today, particularly in how I approach creativity, business, and connecting with others. Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, as the youngest and only girl with two older brothers, I often felt like I didn’t quite fit in. My thoughts and ideas always seemed different, and at times, I struggled to make my voice heard. This sense of being the “odd one out” didn’t discourage me, though. Instead, it pushed me to explore who I was and where I belonged. Read more>>

Niyla Robinson | Influencer & entrepreneur

Being from Atlanta, a city known for its relentless hustle and vibrant energy, has been a huge part of shaping who I am today. I’m the oldest of six, so leadership naturally became a part of my life early on. I had to set the example, which made me driven and focused on excellence. My mom always encouraged me to strive for the best, no matter what I was doing. That mindset carried over into everything, from my years in competitive cheerleading, track, and volleyball to the way I approach my work now. Growing up in a city like Atlanta, where success and hustle are part of the culture, gave me the motivation to push harder and stay ambitious. It’s in my DNA to keep moving forward and elevate in everything I do. Read more>>

Rashod Armon Stanley | Fashion Designer & CEO

I’m Rashod Armon Stanley, the CEO of The Trenches Global and Armon Rashod clothing brands. I’m from Atlanta, Ga. and hails from a diverse background that deeply influences my vision and approach to my clothing brands. Growing up in a vibrant community, I faced various challenges that shaped my resilience and creativity. My upbringing instilled in me a strong work ethic and a commitment to authenticity, which are central to my brand’s ethos. My experiences inspired me to create clothing that resonates with people’s stories and struggles, making The Trenches Global & Armon Rashod more than just fashion labels—they are a movement that reflects the realities of life. Read more>>

Damon Fletcher | Artist

I pursued a career in creating music after watching Usher MasterClass the art of performance as I was traveling for work. His words made it feel like he was talking to me but I doubted it at first. As the doubt set in, LL Cool J sat right next to me. I asked him “you’re portrait is hanging in the Smithsonian next to Michelle Obama, how does that make you feel” you stated “it’s a really great feeling” I said “I want to do something like that in life” he told me “you will, I already see it” this happened in December 2019, three months later the pandemic happened and I took that as a sign to start doing everything Usher said and starting creating music. Read more>>

Constanza Toro | Professional Dancer, Choreographer & Teacher

My passion for dance has always been important to me, even guiding many of the decisions I have made in my life. I have a professional career in Biomedical Engineering, and I never stopped training as an artist in parallel with my studies and work. I knew that no matter what paths I had to take, the obstacles I had to overcome, and the time it took me to achieve it, dedicating myself to dance was going to be a certainty for me. Read more>> 

Laura M Garcia C | Tattoo artist

Art has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. Drawing and creating with my hands has always brought me a sense of peace and fulfillment. Following this path wasn’t a conscious decision; it was simply what made me feel in my element. Read more>>

S. T. Ashman | Thriller Author & Mom

I’ve always had a love for the arts. I play the piano and used to paint, but it wasn’t until a few years into my career as a psychotherapist and social worker that I discovered writing. Around that time, my husbande and I were trying to start a family, but the stress from my job definitely didn’t help. I was working in correctional facilities with high-risk clients, including violent offenders and pedophiles. After two years of trying, I finally got pregnant, and that’s when I decided to focus on my pregnancy and look for a different way to contribute financially. Read more>>

Giles Burvick Yung G-mny – Itsyungonthatrack | British American Music Producer

Music was always in my blood. My Dad is a professional Jazz and R&B producer and musician. It’s in my DNA. Listening to his music helped me see how I could blend those influences—Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Soul—into something that represents all the parts of who I am. Being mixed race with roots in both the UK and the U.S., I felt like I had this mix of cultures that naturally pushed me toward creative expression. Read more>>

Ari Ivers | Owner/Photographer: Mad Woman Studios

To be honest, I didn’t. The arts pursued me, frequently captivating my brain and then holding it hostage until I express the creative vision I have. I truly had no choice in the matter. Art has always had a way of knocking on the door to my soul. Though I’m not very skilled in fine arts (despite 4 years of training by my oh-so-patient professors), photography was where I felt seen. Since I can’t connect a USB port directly into my brain, photography allows me a way to get my visions out for the world to see. Read more>> 

Heather Lee | Artist-Inspire Through Art

I have been creating artwork for many years, and have commissioned various customized works of art for friends, family, colleagues, teachers, and others that have been apart of my life’s journey. I have always had a passion for art, and design. I have a degree in fine arts, content creating certificate. I believe being creative is just as important as math and science. I feel my children have benefited greatly because I have always encouraged them to pursue a form of art, or creative thinking. I want to “Inspire through Art”. My hope is to one day expand beyond just selling art, and designs., to offer classes, encourage more people that art is more than just AI created image. Read more>>

Nasseea Rudolph | Motherhood + Beauty Content Creator

I pursued a creative career because the regular career wasn’t leaving me with the life that I envision for my family. I don’t want to spend 30-40 years working somewhere to only get some free gear and a picture for the hardest working employee. I need that life where I can be able to grind and make things happen for my family while also being able to enjoy the labor I put into making sure my family was good. Read more>>

Britney Flanning | Dancer & Choreographer & Actress

I pursued my career because I found joy in dancing. I love to see the way the dancers moved their body’s to express how they felt! I knew I was good at dancing when I started getting bored of the same old moves our praise dancer instructor was trying to teach us! And it also was a getaway from the struggles that I was going through in my life. Once I started dancing, there would be nothing anyone could do to bring me down from true happiness. Read more>>

Dan Fisher | Entreprenuer – Sports & Entertainment

Work life balance in the corporat world for me was always a challenge. I traveled over 100 days a year working in sports and entertainment. It was a fun career – absolutely – but once I began a family, it became harder to travel with that much frequency. Shifting to a career in entreprenuership was one of the greatest things for work-life balance as I was all of a sudden able to create my own schedule. There are certainly weeks or months where I am in our stores more often than anyone else, but I can still schedule around attending a soccer game or being home for the bus. Read more>>

Holly Wilkey | Hair Stylist

Balance is the thing I struggle with the most. I love what a do, and I put a lot of myself into my work has a hairstylist! I set little goals for myself I work hard and have an end goal and then take time for myself. Read more>>

Julius Robles | Tattoo Artist

Wow, Balance is something i put on back burner until i recently had a back injury i am currently recovering from. I can’t stress enough to balance your life and work. I was super focus on providing and proving myself in the tattoo industry, at first i would let my work speak for itself. But overtime i let the toxic concept of being a super-pleasing tattoo artist. Also competitive of making it big get to me. I thought it would make me more financial stable, instead It just a recipe for disaster. I started to dislike trade i was in, and became very unhappy. Read more>>

William Orgertrice | Data Engineer & Business Strategy Coach

I’m busier than ever, and it’s a good thing. I’m constantly focused on achieving my daily goals. In The Magic of Thinking Big, David Schwartz says, “If you want something done, give it to a busy person”. Though I work remotely, I regularly attend technology and professional development conferences to network and find new clients. It’s a great way to stay connected and get some fresh air. I genuinely enjoy meeting new people, so networking feels less like work and more like fun. Outside of work, I prioritize spending quality time with my family, which keeps me balanced and fulfilled. Read more>>