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.

Sapphire Phoenix | Singer, Songwriter

I was born in Germany, but raised in Saint Louis, Mo. I grew up in a loving two parent household. Once I got to middle school my view of the world changed fast. I was bullied and harassed daily to the point of attempted suicide by Freshman year of high school. Music saved my life. Read more>>

Jasmine Bradfield | Traditional Midwife, Yoga Instructor, Women’s Wellness Specialist

I’m a southern girl with love for the city. I was raised in Stone Mountain/Lithonia, and paid in Atlanta. My roots stem from Georgia, Mississippi, Philadelphia, and Carolina. Read more>>

Karessa Johnson | Published Author

I was born in New York but raised in Georgia. Although I was not raised by my biological mother, I was blessed to be surrounded by my maternal family members. I managed to survive mental, physical, and sexual abuse at a very early age. I learned the importance of forgiveness and was able to use the pain from my past as a stepping stone to elevate and push me further in life. Read more>>

Matt Silliman | Advertising Executive, DJ and Event Producer

I grew up in Decatur. Old Decatur – before all the bougie restaurants, boutiques, and McMansions. I’m talking the Decatur that was filled with hippies, diversity, and the lower/middle class. My Father was a professor at Emory whose modest income fed our family and allowed my mother to take care of us growing up. Read more>>

Waya The Healer | Trans Public figure and Creative

I’m from a small town called Lumberton, North Carolina. I was raised by a single mother alongside my older sister. Both hard working black women who taught me the value of persistence. My upbringing wasn’t always the best. There were times I didn’t realize until i was a bit older that we didn’t always have what we needed. My mother would make due with what she had for us. Read more>>

DJ JUNIE | Mobile DJ

I am Stone Mountain Ga, I attended Redan High School. My friend group in high school was rappers and producers shoutout to I$hwet. They were really a big help because they pushed me to be the DJ I am today and plus My Girl, Headhunters, Fooly, and My Family. I put in a lot of work and had to prove myself that I could do it. Now today I network and try to put out content to show my skills. Read more>>

Andres Piedrahita | Photographer

I am born and raised in Atlanta, GA. I think being born in the city of Atlanta you tend to have the hustle breed into you and it can be for anything like nursing, restaurant, arts, or even being a waiter. If ask a lot of OG’s that have been here since birth, they will say the same. Atlanta is known for its hustle, drive, passion, and consistency no matter the field. There is a lot of growth here for many artists. Read more>>

Princess With The Real | Operations Manager & Personality (so much more)

I was born in Kansas but raised in South Georgia. I been through so many trials and tribulations in life that could have broken me but I stayed strong. Me not giving up and believing in myself helped to give me strength. Read more>>

Bassador | Rhyme poet & Clothing designer

 

Trenton Gill | I’m a multi-tool.” (minister

I like this question because it centers around who the person is rather than what the person does. Many people will ask, “What do you do for a living?” But I prefer to explain who I am. Why? Because who you are will determine what you do. So, who am I? I was born in small town of Indiana in 1982. Read more>>