Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

Blakely Little | Artist

Growing up in Annapolis, Maryland meant a lot of time on the water. There was nothing more happy to me than a boat ride down the river with my family. But, of course, you don’t realize how special something is until you might not have it? Well, as I was applying to colleges, College of Charleston was the only school near the coast. While visiting, I remember my dad and I mapping the distance from my potential dorm room to the Charleston harbor… 1 mile. Read more>>

Yung Aus | DJ/Producer

I was born in Fort Benning, Georgia but currently reside in Metro Atlanta. Coming from a military background, life has always been relatively balanced with a “stricter than most” upbringing which kept me out of trouble and helped me focus on music at an early age. Read more>>

Kamila Erkaboyeva | Artist, Influencer, Small Business Owner

“No tree grows without it’s roots” – a sentence that struck me, when I was 23 and trying to figure out which culture I belong to. I was always somewhere in the middle. I was born and raised in Uzbekistan, Central Asia. My mother is Russian with Cossack roots, my father is an Uzbek from the Fergana Valley. Growing up in the mixed household, we always celebrated Eid, Christmas, Easter. We loved a good feast until I immigrated to London, when I was 11 years old. Read more>>

Levonta Reddick | Music Artist

I’m from Augusta Georgia. I grew up with both my parents around but separated. That came with its struggles but we maintained my parents did a great job. My brothers Ben and Cj are a big part of who I am today I was always absorbing different things from them growing up. My love for hip hop and sports came from them. Read more>>

Shavonne Reed | Wellness Champion & Health Advocate

Hello, my name is Shavonne Reed, and I am the Founder and CEO of OPUA Agency. I would love to tell my story on the evolution of my social impact marketing Agency, OPUA. My journey exemplifies overcoming the odds of being born to a single mother in poverty in Southwest Atlanta, Georgia. Read more>>

Carlina Shotwell | Financial Consultant

I grew up in Greenville, NC with a childhood experience less favorable than the average child. I spent the majority of my life within the foster care system moving from home to home. Despite the ups and downs, I always remained hopeful for a brighter future. Read more>>

Catherine Morrow | Interior Design & Home Renovation Consultant, Interior Decorator, Color Consultant & Home Stager

I was born and raised in New York City. When we moved to Atlanta, I discovered you can love a place as much as the people in your life. To this day I am most content in a venue buzzing with people and activity versus a quiet corner, tucked away from others. Read more>>

DeVione Branscumb | Certified Style Coach & Entrepreneur

I was born and raised in Kansas City Missouri. Growing up I was a plus size kid with high levels of confidence to everyone on the outside but on the inside, I wish to be smaller, and I wanted to look different. I use to struggle with my identify and who I was as an individual. I struggled with what I wanted to do in life but during the struggle I realized I felt a little better about myself when I get dressed and I use to act as if I was important, and had a booked and busy schedule, but I only acted this way when I really liked my outfit. Read more>>