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.

Herok | Artist

I am an abstract painter born in Busan, who has lived in Seoul, Atlanta, and currently resides in New York. The reason I came to the United States was to change my environment to pursue my art. Both Atlanta and New York have provided me with significant artistic inspiration, and their vibrant art scenes have played a crucial role in my creative practice. Read more>>

 

Jennifer Giang | Entrepreneur & Adventurer

I was born and raised in Virginia but to immigrant parents who came over from Vietnam as one of the “boat people” so hard work and success was always something engrained in me. I knew that no matter what I did, I have to succeed in some way because if I didn’t, what did my parents make their sacrifices for? This mental note motivated me but also weighed on my shoulders. I’ve always loved music and the arts but knew I couldn’t be a starving artist. I saw how my parents worked endless days to provide for us and determined that I need to ensure we’re comfortable in the future. So I did the corporate thing and quickly realized that although it can lead to “comfort”, it wasn’t the life for me. Read more>>

Júnard Hartley | Basketball Consultant & MADE Hoops SE Director

I was born in 89′ at West Paces Ferry Hospital off of Northside Dr., I believe it has now been turned into an apartment building. Being a homegrown native of Atlanta equips you with a certain pace, style, and sense of persistence to be heard and seen. This especially holds true in Atlanta’s black community. Even before my time: the south boycotted systems to change laws, black owned enterprises were built from our everyday products, and the sports and entertainment sector exploded and set trends all over the world. My parents were heavily involved with the evolution of the city. Read more>>