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.

Tasya Clarke | Educator & Entrepreneur

I was born and raised in Queens, New York as an only child with a single mother with the support of my grandmother. I. have always been encouraged to do well in school and to eventually go to college. I had a very wholesome childhood, yet at times I would get very lonely since I didn’t have any siblings. Read more>>

Ebony Adell | Protest Artist, International Sustainable Luxury Designer, Yogi, Author and Mother

I’m from Milwaukee, WI, one of the most racist and segregated cities in the United States. The 53216 zip code and my grandmother’s house was in the infamous 53206 zip code. I was raised with homeowners, entrepreneurs and independent women. My grandma was a trailblazer; the first African American bar owner to be a member of the Schlitz Malt Liquor Stein Club. Read more>>

Lamonte Nichols | DJ, Music Producer, & Radio Host

I am born and raised from Washington D.C. I truly believe that my background in terms of being a kid who was forced to go to church even when I did not want to helped me to learn how to get people’s attention and how to find ways to move people spiritually from watching sermons and singers in the church, This was the inception of me being a great DJ, MC, Radio Host, and Music Producer. Read more>>