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.

Stephen Sackey | Certified Public Accountant

I was originally born in Nigeria to Ghanaian parents and spent my early years in Ghana. Growing up in Ghana, i lost my mother at a very young age and was raised by my single father for a while. My dad taught me to always see the positivity in every and any situation. This has stuck with me as I have gotten older and has helped me overcome multiple challenges in life, most recently passing the Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) exams. Read more>>

Deaujanae Curry | Eyelash Artist

I grew up on the eastside of Saint Paul, Minnesota, in a house full of family—my grandma, mom, aunties, uncles, grandpa, and cousins. Being the oldest, I had a lot of responsibility from a young age, always looking out for everyone. Even now, at 27, I still find myself supporting my family, from my younger cousins to my older cousins and uncles and aunties. Read more>>

Daniel Phaithaisong | YouTuber, content creator

I’m from Houston Tx but live in Long Beach CA now. I started as an athlete at 7th grade playing football, basketball, and ran track. I had dreams of going to the NFL or the Olympics. Around my 11th grade year after I lost my first love, girlfriend, to a car accident. I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and went down a path of crime. Staying out really late hours. My first time going to jail was for breaking into a car. Read more>>

Nia Imani | Legacy LeadHER & Visionary

I’m originally from Stockton, California, and have been living in Atlanta since 2004. Ever since I can remember, I felt like my hometown was too small for my BIG dreams. I grew up in an era of crime-filled neighborhoods, where kids were more likely to become a statistic than a success. I knew early on that I was different and always stood out from the crowd. Read more>>

Antwan Copeland | Artist & Entrepreneur

I’m from Atlanta Ga was born at Grady I started my life in Atlanta but was raise on the east n the south n music and working help me grow as a person I watch my momma raise 6 of us I learned the streets through music I got my working ways watching my momma work to help us but ik this life get hard so moving around a lot turned me to wanting more I didn’t finish high school but will try to gain my ged before the death of me i chose working and hustling after realizing a lot of stuff don’t to much matter to make it I had kids and the mother of my kids Read more>>

 

 

 

 

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