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.

Nisha Miley | Wife, Mom, & Entrepreneur

Nashville Native. Inner City Kid through and through and absolutely proud of it. 80’s baby. I was brought up at Granny’s house around brothers and cousins. You had to be there, lol! My Grandma raised the whole ‘hood. She still is there in the same house and her love has no bounds. My parents also played a pivotal role in my upbringing. There was always family all around. Big birthdays and warm holidays. It absolutely has impacted who I am today. I am intentional about cultivating that warm space, a home, for my family & close friends. Read more>>

Rich Camacho | Private Money Lender, Podcast Host & Published Author

I am from Irvington, NJ. A small town off the outskirts of Newark, NJ (which back in the 90’s was the stolen car capital of America). I’m from a place designed for someone like me “not” to make it out. What I mean by someone like me is; a person of color. A minority, if you will. Both of my parents are Puerto Rican and were born in New York, Dad from Brooklyn & Mom from the Bronx. Growing up was more trying to learn how to survive in my environment than it was more enjoying being a child. Don’t get me wrong, my parents were loving to my sister and I and provided us with all they could give, but needless to say, we never got out of the hood until after I went to college in 1998, 20 years after I was born. I refused to be a statistic based off what the system painted our lives out to be. I wasn’t supposed to make it out (per the system) but I did. My background is simple. Loving parents who didn’t have much but taught me what the true value of life was; family. Read more>>

Cassandra Josey | Founder & Community Supporter

I am from Decatur, Ga and am a Grady Baby. My upbringing was very unique as I was raised by my maternal grandmother and grandfather my mother passed when I was four and I as of today it is unknown who my father is. My grandparents had a great influence in the areas of family, love, giving back, and relationship with God. Our neighborhood was like family. At any given time my grandad would cook food for others and take us on fishing trips. He was the natural nurturer. My grandmother had a giving heart and spirit. There were times O would come home from school and she’d have kids in the house who needed their hair combed and food. She made sure that we gave back. Read more>>

XINYU ZHANG | Interior designer

My background has influenced my worldview, the way I interact with people and even my design philosophy. I grew up in Southern China in a family that emphasizes traditional Chinese culture. My parents always taught me to do my best and respect the outcome. So when I came to the U.S. on my own to start building a new life, I tried to understand different cultures and challenged myself with unknown difficulties. At the same time, my cultural background allowed me to understand different cultures and people from a more objective point of view. My background has made me more courageous to accept all challenges and has helped me to build my own creative philosophy. Read more>>

Jessica Cage | USA Today Bestselling Author & Indie Author Mentor

I am originally from Chicago, Illinois and grew up on the south side of the city but thanks to my mother I was exposed to many of the cultures Chicago has to offer. Because of these experiences when I was a young girl, I found myself asking why most of the media I consumed, both film and television didn’t refect the vibrant and diverse world I saw day to day. That question has been the driving force in my life. It is why I aimed to bring more diversity to the content I enjoyed most. Read more>>