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.

Jordan Wolfanger | Illustrator

I am from Byram, a very small town in northern New Jersey. It is a wonderful place to grow up; it is remote and has beautiful hiking trails, lakes, and plenty of outdoor activities. As a child, I flourished in playing sports and catching frogs in my backyard. Read more>>

ZAY | Artist

I’m from Atlanta, GA. Like most, my childhood has had a major impact on who I am today. I was born in the projects, Techwood Homes to be exact. The first public housing project in the United States. Infamously known for murder, drugs, and kidnappings. Read more>>

Kevin James | Photographer

I’m from a very small town called Mount Vernon, Alabama which is a part of Mobile County. As long as I can remember I have been a lover of all art, so it is not a strectch that I grew into a creative. Read more>>

Jasmyn Brown | Artist & Designer

I am from a small town, Suffolk, Virginia. My family moved to Charlotte when I was a young child. I attended a performing arts school in Charlotte from the 6-12th grade. Being immersed in a creative space during my formative years into adulthood had a major impact on my life.  Read more>>

Dr. J. Bliss | Author, Writing Coach & Editor

I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. My road to Georgia came about unexpectedly. These two states have been a unique creative muse for me. After notifying the publisher of Minority Opportunity News, (today known as North Dallas Gazette) that I was pregnant he fired me stating I was handicapped.  Read more>>

Meg Aubrey | Fine Art Painter

I grew up in Massachusetts and was always the kid who could draw. I got attention and praise in school for this ability and drawing become part of my identity as well as a creative outlet in my life. I was voted “Most Artistic” in high school and began wondering if this talent/past time could actually become a career.  Read more>>

Ashley Bunch-Easley | Executive Chef & Caterer

I’m from Nashville, TN. East Nashville to be exact. Nashville is so gentrified now that where I grew up is full up condos, hipster bars, etc. it would’ve been considered “low income housing” when I lived there. Good and bad times but overall It’s made me who I am today.  Read more>>

Shellie Li | Graphic Designer & Motion Graphics Designer

Born and raised in Taiwan, my childhood and adolescence were colored by the vibrant tapestry of my parents’ philosophy: to pursue what brings joy and fulfillment. Supported wholeheartedly by my mother, I was encouraged to follow my passions.  Read more>>

Sig Mosley | Investor

I was born in Jasper, Ga which is about an hour north of Atlanta. It was a small town with a primarily white population. I was an only child. In high school, I mowed lawns, worked the school sports concession stand, wrote for the school newspaper, was a Boy Scout, and cleaned the Baptist church as an assistant janitor as well as served as the librarian of the church. Read more>>

Cynthia George | International Instructor for McLoughlin Scar Tissue Release® and Owner of Cynshine® an integrative movement studio

I grew up in Indiana with a cheerleading, dance, and gymnastic background and ran the Indiana University IUFIT program as part of my graduate assistantship. My mom was a teacher and my dad worked for the State Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana and I had the opportunity in the summers to work at the facility teaching adapted physical education with the clients. Read more>> 

Tiku “Mello” Fisher | Digital Media Producer, VFX Producer & Outsourcing Consultant

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, with Jamaican heritage, my upbringing has been shaped by resilience and self-reliance. Growing up in a single-parent household, I learned early on the power of personal initiative encapsulated in ten words, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Read more>>

Joielle “Blvkindigo” Lee | Celebrity Stylist, Creative Brand Consultant and Owner of Morph Studios LLC

I am Joielle “Blvkindigo” Lee and I am the founder of Mörph Studios. I was Born in Detroit and raised on the Southside of Atlanta where my love for creating really began to blossom. I didn’t grow up in the best financial predicament, but my Mom did a good job helping me to forget. I remember begging her for my first Aéropostale shirt in middle school. Read more>>