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.

Jonathan Bain | Director & Director of Photography (DP)

I was born in Manhattan but grew up in Freehold, NJ. Growing up, I was always attracted to the arts. My earliest memory was being bored at home and teaching myself how to draw off Youtube (Youtube University all the way, lol). I started drawing cartoon characters, portraits, and anime; you name it. Later in life, my dad signed me up for piano lessons, and although I could never read music, I played four different instruments as a kid. I just loved disconnecting from the world and focusing on the sounds. Read more>>

John Mabey | Playwright & Mental Health Counselor

I was born and raised in the southwest and there’s something special about the desert air, sounds, and skies that’s always present as I write. My childhood has been a huge influence on my writing as I also grew-up as a queer kid in a very religious community.  Read more>>

Kendra Salter | Actress & Aspiring Media Mogul

I am from a small town in Northwest Florida near Pensacola. I was raised by my mother who was in the Air Force and my grandmother. Ever since I could remember I’ve always wanted to be an entertainer. I loved to dance and perform at any chance I got. Growing up, I was an only child for 10 years so I had to entertain myself. Read more>>

Syd Howell | Entertainment Entrepreneur who specializes in Shows, Festivals and Events

I come from a small town called Jackson, Georgia, located just an hour south of Atlanta. My childhood was mostly spent in my father’s pawn shop, a business that has been a part of our family for as long as I can remember. Alongside running the pawn shop, my father embarked on various other ventures, allowing me to witness his entrepreneurial spirit firsthand. Read more>>

Jeckylle Chain | Model &dancer

I was born and raised in Paterson New Jersey i also was blessed to share the womb with a twin growing up as a child we were mentally physically & emotionally abused by my mother who was battling with a drug addiction by acts that I witnessed and endured were very traumatizing life has been so rocky for me getting take advantage of living with people & now I’m at a point in my life where I wanna just be free from all the toxicity & make my brother smile down on me from heaven Read more>>

Dalys Macon | Professional Organizer & Wardrobe Stylist; BGWO Founder

I was born and raised in the Republic of Panama. I truly feel like I had the best of both worlds. I grew up in the Panama Canal Zone on US Territory to creative parents and grew up bilingual in a very close-knit community. I also had the influence of West Indian grandparents, so my exposure to various cultures was always present. Read more>>

Kamil Gerald | ASL Art Instructor & Social Worker

I’m from Buffalo, NY. My background and upbringing in the foster care system, experience with emotional/verbal abuse, and having a hearing loss impacted the woman I am today. Being in the foster care system and experiencing emotional/verbal abuse taught me to be humble, and limit people’s access to me. It also taught me to treat people with kindness, because you never know what battles they are fighting behind closed doors. Read more>>