There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Emaeus Thomas | Founder & CEO of Christian By Taylor Made

I was born and raised in Atlanta and wouldn’t change it for anything. A lot of people call Atlanta the “black mecca of the south”, because Black people have more, live better, and accomplish so much more living here than anywhere else in the south. As a young, up and coming entrepreneur, seeing other Black people have success is a motivating factor because I want to be one of those people as well. Read more>>

Alona Cajuste | Photographer & Digital Marketing Expert

I am originally from Orlando, FL. My upbringing in Florida has impacted me greatly because there’s something so raw yet beautiful in the places I’ve lived and I try to bring that same beauty to my work. Orlando really shaped me into the artist I am today. Read more>>

Lori Ivey | Medical Intuitive Channeler, Medium, Emotional Coach

I’m from Milledgeville, Georgia and being from the south has definitely shaped where my consciousness is now. I saw and experienced a lot of suppression. I didn’t and still don’t agree with a lot of the principles, racism, maintaining “southern hospitality” while seeing so many others around me had double standards, people weren’t speaking their truth. Read more>>

Trayon Henderson | Educator & Author

I was born in southeast Atlanta in Grady Homes Housing Authority. I was raised in a single-parent home by my mother, along with two younger sisters. Growing up in Grady Homes taught me the true meaning of dreaming big, fighting for what I want and deserve, and persevering through all obstacles I encountered, despite the negative perspectives of my environment. Read more>>

Derek Epstein | Founder, Dependable Painting & Remodeling

I grew up in an average middle class family in a town called Parkland, Florida, a small up and coming town located right near Fort Lauderdale, Florida. My family worked hard to provide me and my brother the best life and education they could. When I was around 8 years old my world was flipped upside down. My parents got divorced. Read more>>

Jeremy Sturdivant | Your Kids Favorite Pre-k Teacher

I’m originally from a small town called York Alabama. My grandmother took care of me and her kids all in one small house together. She always instilled in us how to be respectful and how to be God fearing children. Growing up with a brother who was diagnose with down syndrome disorder helped me understand others with differences. Read more>>

Xzavion Johnson | Known as “datniccanino”

My name is Xzavion Johnson known as “datniccanino” and Im from green valley Arlington known as the “valley”. Where I’m from it’s hard to really be yourself with out being judged, it’s hard to turn nothing into something. All my life I’ve been pushed away, I’ve been neglected by friends, family but it did nothing but motivate me to be me. Read more>>