A big part of making decisions is determining what our actions and choices have been inspired by. So we asked decision makers from the community to tell us about what they are inspired by.

Fat Dreadz | Musical Artist & Entertainer

Personally, I’m inspired by my mom and life itself I have seen my mother work so hard for me and our family, it truly is motivating and I want to follow in her footsteps for sure she has always been a nonstop hustler. I’m also just inspired by life itself because every day is a new day and a day that you can come closer to making your dreams a reality. Read more>>

MC Zappa | Musician

Everything. Literally everything. I’m inspired and motivated by both love and hate. I am inspired by friendship, loneliness, joy, pain, beauty, ugliness and everything in between. But most of all, I’m inspired by myself. Read more>>

Jennifer Elaine | Professional Fine Artist & Gallery Owner

I am inspired by beautiful, successful Black women with positive mindsets and attitudes. My inspiration has become my subject matter for my art as well. I create phenomenal paintings that display Black women in a positive light, embracing their natural kinks and curls graced with melanin-rich skin. My art is internally driven, like a gateway to the soul. illustrating the beauty, power, dopeness, and resilience of Black women. Read more>>

Rayvaughn West | Music Publishing & Administration

I’m one who appreciates the small things, so I tend to find inspiration all around me. But if I had to choose, I’d say I’m most inspired by music and music creatives. Ever since I was a kid the art of music, vulnerability, and creativity that went along with it was just fascinating to me. I was born and raised in Detroit, so naturally music is a part of my cultural identity. Read more>>

Bridget Ford | Writer, Author, & Speaker

Writing is a creative opportunity to voice visions, dreams, ambitions, pains, or even fears. Having the ability to bring a moment to life or bring awareness to an ongoing issue by the words and phrases I choose to include in my works are amazing. It’s an opportune chance to be free to explore any thought, any dream, or recreate a moment. Needless to say, everything inspires me. That’s the beauty of writing. Read more>>