Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Priya Brito | Medical Student & Visual Artist

I was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona up until about the age of eight in a mixed racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious household. My father is originally from Cape Verde and came to the U.S. for his college education and my mother is from South India and moved to the U.S. when she was three years old. Their paths crossed at the University of Arizona. Read more>>

Mai De Leon | CEO of Good Studio Co.

My name is Maira De Leon. I am a Latina and I am 33 years old. I was born in Mission, Texas but raised in North Georgia, in a small town called Alto. My mother is an immigrant from Nuevo Leon, Mexico and my step-father is an immigrant from Durango, Mexico. Growing up as a child of immigrant parents, our parent-child relationship was different than other families here in the U.S. We, as children born and raised in the United States, took on a responsibility for our families that exposed us to family struggles most children don’t have to face earlier on. Read more>>

Moon Haynes | Licensed Massage Therapist & Holistic Healer

Greetings Shoutout Atlanta! My name is Moon Haynes and I am a Licensed Massage Therapist and Holistic Healer. I am also a mother to an amazing young king. Originally from Brooklyn, NY currently residing in Charlotte, NC. NYC is a huge melting pot so being immersed in so many different cultures, traditions and way of life truly helped to shape who I am today. It assisted in how well versed I am in many ideas & schools of thought. I always knew I would have a career in service, I just never knew exactly what it would be until much later in life. Read more>>

Kandace Sanders | Serial Entrepreneur and Founder of the Black Women’s Equal Pay Network or B.W.E.P. Network

I’m from the one and only Harlem, NYC! Growing up in New York, many things are instilled in you at such a young age. You adjust to the hustle and bustle of the city and learn how to carve out your space on the side walk. You find independence by taking public transportation on your own as an adolescent. You learn to negotiate with the deli owners and street vendors for a better deal. Most importantly, you learn how to grow tough skin as jaded New Yorkers aren’t always the most pleasant to be around. Read more>>

Rev. Raushanah N. Butler | Advocate | Bridger | Collaborator

I’m from fried fish on Friday nights, salmon croquettes and biscuits on Saturday morning, and blue crabs just because. I’m from roast simmering Saturday night for Sunday’s dinner after church, hand churned vanilla ice cream, and a Sock-It-To-Me cake for dessert. I’m from family trips to Busch Gardens, games being played at the Gator Bowl, and shopping at Gateway Mall. Being originally from Jacksonville, FL, I didn’t fully appreciate it then, but I appreciate it now how where I’m from shaped so much of who I am today. Read more>>

Dawn Bennett | Owner, LOVE Pie Co.

I grew up in rural West Virginia, but very close to most of my extended family. Food was an excuse for our family to gather, and we did it often! My grandma was a school cook, and she would make meals for our BIG family every Sunday, and on all the holidays! I remember calling her for recipes, and she’d mention using 10 pounds of flour, or a gallon of mayonnaise…because she was used to cooking for SO many! She knew how to demonstrate her love for others…by feeding them! Read more>>

Flavia Lovatelli | Artist

I was born in Lima, Peru from an Italian father and American mother. When I was 6 we moved back to Italy where I grew up. I was born a creative soul, as far as my memories go I was always creating something, from clothes for my dolls out of paper, coloring on anything viable to making jewelry out of flowers as a little girl, progressing to furniture building, murals and clothing design for myself and my friends as I grew older. Read more>>

Vanessa Dos Santos | Photographer & Writer

I’m originally from Maputo, Mozambique, but my family and I have been moving around since I was three. I was raised in five different countries and was exposed to different cultures from a young age. I think that exposure made me extremely curious from a young age. I would find myself being surprised by new customs, languages, ideologies. I’ve always seen this as a positive element of travel. However, with my upbringing also came its challenges. Read more>>

Chala Boya | Sommelier and Wine Shop Owner

I grew up on a farm in Woodville, North Carolina. Eastern North Carolina is huge in agriculture and my very large family was no different. Between my Grandmother (Mary F James) who was a contractor for farm labor and my Grandfather who raised hogs they had 19 children and hard work was something that was everyday life. Coming from a very large family has helped me learn to deal with all sorts of personalities and also helps me to be able to speak to anyone. Read more>>

Kimberly West | Public Relations Consultant

I am from The Magic City of Birmingham, Alabama. Some would say, I came into this world loving art, design, and fashion. As a young child, I would spend my spare time sketching designs and pretending to manage a business, which sparked my interest in the field of entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Jacqueline Kaba-Harrison | Executive Channel Producer-TV Show & Symposium Host-Author-Confidence Coach

I was born and raised in Detroit, MI. As a young girl I was daddy’s little girl. I always wanted to make him proud. My father played a huge role in who I am today. He would often tell me that I would have to work 2-3x harder then everyone else to achieve the same goal. So well into adulthood I carried many limiting beliefs about myself. I lacked confidence and self-confidence. I was able to create unshakable self-confidence and teach other women to do the same. Read more>>

Emma Moore | Cake Artist

Most of my life I have lived along the Ohio River . I spent my childhood in the small town of Shadyside, Ohio and now reside in Martins Ferry about ten minutes away. Shadyside was a wonderful place to be a child. We lived just outside of town, what most would consider “in the country.” My Father was the main caregiver in our home, along with his parents who lived next door. He had incredible work ethic and when he wasn’t working you could find him at church , with family or fishing. Read more>>

Taimere Wood | Nonprofit Consultant

I’m a military brat so my family bounced around alot but lived in the DMV area for 10 years before moving to Atlanta. I graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a degree in criminal justice and started my career in the nonprofit sector at the Atlanta Police Foundation. Moving through the various departments of the organization, I was able to learn all facets of a nonprofit organization and became the Business Operations Coordinator. Read more>>

Chanteria Huff | Lash Gawd/supplier & influencer

I am from Atlanta, Georgia born and raised. I was a sweet child really sensitive, always wearing my heart on my sleeve. As a kid I pretty much had everything until my parents split up. Perspectives changed for me at a young age when my dad moved out. I would accept things for what they are but inside it would really hurt me. I never really had the type of family the supported me, more like criticize. Read more>>