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.

Jill Joyner | Florist, PCUSA Minister, Healing Touch Practitioner

I am from Decatur, Georgia. My parents are both first generation college graduates. Education was and is a strong value in my family of origin. I have three master’s degrees and I absolutely love going to school. It has been an interesting process to get to where I am today as a full-time florist. I had to reckon with the fact that I was not “using” my master’s degrees as a florist. However, I use my counseling and divinity degrees every day as I interact with clients. I did get a certification for floristry, which not only gave me necessary skills, but personally “validated” my new career. Read more>>

Kamia McWilliams | Evangelist, Writer & Photographer

I am from a southeast town in Georgia known as Fitzgerald. The region, people, how I grew up impacted who I am today in several ways but most importantly, it has impacted me spiritually and how I view the world. I was raised in the church, we didn’t come from much, but it taught me to appreciate the simplest things in life and has played a big role in who I am. Even with the racial issues and diversity within the community has impacted my appreciate for my people and where I come from and has also struck a curiosity for me, regarding other cultures. Read more>>

Shamika Morgan | Healthcare Professional- Registered Nurse, FNP and Event Planning/decorator/ Coordinator

My name is Shamika Morgan, I am a Master prepared Healthcare Professional with a few certifications and who also owns an event planning: decorating business named, “Myrick’s Elegant Event & Decor, LLC”. I have been in healthcare for about 25 years and a nurse for about 20 of those years now and have been decorating for about 14-15 of them. Born Shamika Myrick and lived in Forsyth, GA until I was 9 years old. At that time my mom got remarried and we moved to Monticello,GA. I graduated from Jasper County Comprehensive Highschool in 1999 and was in the top 10 of my graduating class, I was almost the youngest in the class as I turned 18 exactly 4 weeks before graduation. Read more>>