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.

Domenicca Botero | Film Director

I was born in Miami, Florida, from an Ecuadorian mother and a Colombian father. I moved to Mexico City, Mexico from the ages of eight to sixteen, before eventually coming back to the U.S. to continue school and begin a career in filmmaking. My work is rooted in the exploration of identity and belonging shaped by my upbringing. Being the only U.S.-born citizen in my family has made me bicultural and bilingual, but it has also left me to grapple with a sense of displacement. In Mexico, I was the “gringa” in school, while here in the U.S., I struggle to be seen as anything other than an outsider. The dual citizenships of my parent’s have added another layer of identity confusion to the mix. Read more>>

Kathryn Carroll | Digital Creator | Finding Beauty in Every Season

I’m originally from Dallas, Texas, and I was raised in an environment that emphasized manners, respect, and the value of personal growth. My parents made sure I understood the importance of good etiquette, so I even attended etiquette school, which shaped how I interact with people today. From a young age, I was encouraged to explore the world beyond my comfort zone, which led me to study abroad during my final year of high school. Read more>>

Kemi Peterside | Content Creator

I’m originally from Nigeria, and my background has played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Growing up in a culturally rich and diverse environment taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of hard work. My family instilled in me a strong sense of community and empathy, which influenced my passion for healthcare and helping others. Moving to the U.S. brought new challenges, but it strengthened my determination to pursue my goals and appreciate different perspectives, all of which have made me a more compassionate and driven person. Read more>>

Shanna Lee | Content Creator

I grew up moving and living in different parts of the world including different parts of the U.S., Germany, and Japan. It gave me exposure to different ways of living, people, and culture. It also exposed me to what is common among us across differences. That exposure fostered curiosity and an appetite for learning that still persists today. Sentences I tend to start with as a child and up until now is “Why?” and “How?” I always want to understand more not simply know what is. Read more>>

mylez elite

I was born and raised in Philadelphia, a city that definitely has a reputation for being brash, but I believe has a unique passion for itself. There, I developed a love for music and art that extends to my current journey in Atlanta. I picked up the electric guitar as early as 11 years old, consistently practiced and honed in on improving my musicianship. Similar to Atlanta, it’s encouraged to engage in expressing yourself in some type of artform when you’re constantly surrounded by it. Playing guitar allows me to showcase how I feel and interact with others that feel similar. Read more>>

Ariel McDonald

I’m from the beautiful island of Jamaica, a place rich in culture, natural beauty, and vibrant energy. My upbringing played a key role in shaping the person I am today. From a young age, my parents would take me on trips, both within Jamaica and overseas. These experiences sparked a deep passion and appreciation for travel and exploring different cultures. They taught me the importance of embracing new experiences, which has fueled my love for traveling to new places. Now, I document my journeys to inspire others who share the same passion and to help them feel connected to the world through my experiences. Read more>>

Cylinda Nesmith Davison

I was raised on a farm in a small town called Nesmith, SC. Even though we had “hired hands” I always saw my grandparents, uncles and aunts work along side the hired hands. I learned at a very young age that hard work, dedication, resilience and teamwork were there essential to obtaining desired goals. My grandmother started teaching me to hand sew around 6 years old. We used to cut up old clothing to make quilts. I started making clothing for my dolls, then for myself by the time I was in the 6th grade. I feel in love with sewing. It gave me something else to do rather than just work in the fields. I saved my money earned from working in the fields during Summer to put fabrics on lay-away at the local BC Moore’s store. By the time I was in high school, I was sewing nearly all of my clothing for school, pageants, prom as well clothing for people in the community. I would stay up all night sewing just to have a new outfit for the next day! Read more>>