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.

Catherine Jones | Seamstress, Patternmaker, and Leatherworker

am from a small town in the panhandle of Florida. The school I went to growing up was about a 30 minute drive from our home, so I didn’t have a ton of friends that I played with in my immediate neighborhood. That meant that I spent a lot of time with my parents. Read more>>

Andrew Reyes | Entrepreneur & licensed Cosmetologist

Hi everyone , I am Andrew Reyes and I am from Queens New York. My background and upbringing is significant in determining who I am today. Living in New York has definitely impacted me to be ambitious, independent, confident and resilient. However, often times where you live isn’t the only thing that can mold you to be who you are today. My upbringing as a grandson of a Dominican immigrant woman has tremendously impacted my career choice, my core values, as well as how I choose to show up in the world. Read more>>

Kenisha Darden | owner of Darden Quality of Works and Remote Staffing Service

I was born in Grady Hospital and raised in the heart of Southwest Atlanta. I’m a true Georgia Peach through and through. I come from a hard-working family, where my grandparents set the tone, teaching me that work ethic is everything. For me, life’s compass has always pointed in two main directions: God and family. Now, as I navigate the world of business, those values remain my true north—work ethic intact, God and family at the forefront. Read more>>

Eddrick Davis | Social Media Influencer & Content Creator

I am from a small town called Union Springs, AL. where everyone knows everybody and the community is so tightly knit. Having been raised in the small town of Union Springs, motivated me to carry the mindset of ” I may be from a small town, but I possess the mindset of those in bigger cities.” Growing up, I always took vacations across the world with my family. Read more>>