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.

Mr. C Roblesz | Math Enthusiast

I am the 2%. I am a African American/Latino Male educator, with a certification in Math education, Reading, ESOL and Special Education, and hold a provisional administrative license. Before I reached this level of success I was a minority underperforming student from Brooklyn. Read more>>

Kirstie Kwarteng | Founder, The Nana Project

I grew up outside of Washington, D.C. in Northern Virginia. My family is Ghanaian and the DMV area has been home to a large Ghanaian population since the 1980s. The elders in my Ghanaian community did what they could to replicate as many aspects of Ghanaian culture as possible. On the weekends, I would go with my parents to whatever Ghanaian functions were taking place in the community. Read more>>

Memry Wilson | Licensed Lash Trainer and Technician

I’m originally from Memphis, TN and I’ve been around the beauty industry since I can remember. My grandmother was a licensed cosmetologist and did hair for over 30 years. You can’t have beauty without brains, so Education has always been a huge part of my life in conjunction with the beauty industry. So, I recently obtained my Cosmetology Instructors License which seems almost meant to be. Aside from my masters in education, continuing my education and upgrading my cosmetology license is like a dream manifested to reality. Read more>>

Timothy Joe | Art Instructor & Mechanical Engineer

I grew up in the rural town of Greensboro, Alabama. The culture in my upbringing was to love God, family, and stewardship. Growing up there wasn’t much to do, but play outside which was great for me. Now that I am adult, I have an abundant appreciation of the beauty present from the cow pastures to the abandoned buildings. Read more>>