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.

Steve Langston

I grew up just outside Atlanta in a family that believed in humor, curiosity, and saying yes to new ideas. As a kid, I was hooked on the big, television magic specials of David Copperfield and later the street style magic of David Blaine, and I’ve been chasing that mix of wonder and surprise ever since. Joining the International Brotherhood of Magicians gave me a community that pushed me to get better and think bigger. Now, my shows are all about connecting with people, making them laugh, and giving them a story they’ll still be telling years later. Read More>>

LaSonya Lucy-Paige

Headline: LaSonya Lucy-Paige: Turning Purpose Into Prosperity and Empowering Others to Do the Same.

My name is LaSonya Lucy-Paige, and I’m from a small country town called Citronelle, Alabama. I now live in Mobile, AL with my husband, and together we share a beautiful blended family of five children. Read More>>

Brooklyn Jones

I was born and raised in Springfield, MA, also known as the 413. Being raised in Springfield, I was always surrounded by a small, supportive community. From a very early age, I was in every extracurricular activity you can think of. The church choir, dance, and sports, including track and cheer. My community presented me with opportunities to explore different things and truly find myself throughout those journeys. Growing up in the church, St. John’s Congregational Church, I always knew the importance of having faith in my life. With my community mostly coming from church, I had many people who prayed for me and taught me the importance of having God at the center of my life. Read More>> 

Cadence Blake

I grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, surrounded by creativity. My parents are both musicians, deeply rooted in the city’s art scene, and my childhood was spent in that world. That often-looked like breakdancing for tips outside my dad’s shows, running through my mom’s boutique, or skating in parking lots with friends. These spaces were my first classrooms. They taught me that style isn’t just about what you wear; it’s about identity, about how you move through the world. Asheville showed me that clothing can affirm who you are or challenge who people expect you to be, and that curiosity is what pulled me into fashion design. Even though I don’t live there now, the city’s influence still runs through my work. Read More>> 

Mya Joiner

“I’m originally from Tifton, Georgia, a small town in south Georgia where food and family are deeply rooted in my upbringing. Growing up, I was surrounded by the love and care that my mother and grandmother put into every meal they prepared. Watching them cook with passion and dedication instilled in me a natural love for food. Every homemade meal and from-scratch baked cake was more than just sustenance – it was a labor of love. While my passion for food was nurtured from a young age, it wasn’t until my adult years that I realized my dream of turning that passion into a business. Now, as a caterer, I strive to bring that same love and care into every dish I create, sharing the warmth and hospitality of my southern roots with every client and guest.” Read More>> 

Matthew Vilichay

My parents are Cambodian refugees, and I grew up in small-town Georgia as one of the only Asians in the county. That meant learning fast — you adapt, you evolve, or you get eaten alive. I turned awkward stares and stereotypes into punchlines, making people laugh before they knew what to make of me. Read More>> 

Rita Jhawar

I am from India , based out of Kolkata in West Bengal.I am a Chartered Accountant by qualification, a Builder by Profession and an Actor by Passion. I come from a business family. My family background, my qualification as well as my business ingrained in me risk taking. I belong to a very simple family, who believes in hard work, determination, honesty, and at the same time team work. My father has gone through very difficult time of our country’s partition but he faced the difficult situation very bravely when he came back from Pakistan. His life has deeply affected me as well as made me a very strong person. Read More>> 

Trinity Jackso

I’m from Statesboro, Georgia. I grew up surrounded by faith, music, and an early love for animation and video games. I didn’t actually start music until late elementary school when I picked up the violin, but I was always a video game nerd—Pokémon and JRPGs were my worlds.

Studio Ghibli also found its way into my childhood, and the quiet, thoughtful themes in those films shaped how I see the world. Those experiences taught me to find beauty in small details, to lead with empathy, and to keep searching for meaning beneath the surface. Read More>>