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.

Anyunna Phillips | Mother & Teacher

I am from Decatur, Ga, located on the Eastside of Atlanta. My mother’s love was and still is unmatched. As the eldest of five children, I never felt pressure or weighed down with responsibilities. I was allowed to be a happy child without worry. I think a lot of children or even people miss out on that in their life. And that’s sad. My mom gave me a childhood, that was light, innocent, and filled with joy. My grandmother had a great hand in my upbringing as well. You know what they say about a praying grandmother, she is the reason I’m still here today. Read more>>

Chi, aka, Auntea Hughes | Co-owner, Bookstore Gallery

I grew up in Hollis, Queens, NY., lived in Washington, DC for 10 years and spent another 30 years in Los Angeles, CA. Living in large cities has taught me to appreciate diversity and chaos. I also recognize that the vibrancy of city life can be a catalyst for creativity, taking risks and welcoming competition. New York gave me my swag and California showed me that I didn’t really need it. Read more>>

Reggie Sampson | Professional Contemporary Saxophonist

I am originally from Los Angeles, California but now reside in metro Atlanta, GA. My background was like most that was raised in a big city where music was a key component in my childhood household. Growing up in the 80’s, most of the music that I grew up listening to spanned many different genres from R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Country, and Jazz. I was naturally drawn to Jazz due to the influence of my sister listening to Grover Washington Jr. In my earliest memory, I have always been musically inclined and gifted which led to playing music at 10 years old. Read more>>

Dee Miles | Photographer and Artist

I grew up in Tennessee mostly. I started playing the piano and later the violin at a young age. I have always loved music. Then I picked up the family camera in my early teens and loved taking photographs. My parents were always supportive of my love for the arts. In college I gravitated to music and art classes and was always around creatives. Read more>>

Pamela Terry | Writer

I was born and raised in the South, a place teeming with beauty and heartache. Holding both of those things in your hand is not the easiest thing in the world, but it makes for good storytelling, I think. A writer is always turning life over and over, looking for truth. As a Southern writer, I don’t have the luxury of accepting things as they are or pretending they were ever better than they were – our history is too complicated for that – but I do feel a responsibility to pull at those threads of our tapestry that continue to shine with hope and love. Read more>>

Dr. June Chennault | Director of MTSS and Chennault Publishing CEO

I am Washington, Georgia. I often get the reaction from others, once I tell them where I’m from, “I didn’t know there was a Washington, Georgia,!” Growing up in Washington with my mom and dad along with my three brothers was a true blessings to me! My mom was a housekeeper before I was born then transitioned over to education as a substitute teacher then a paraprofessional. My dad did factory work, but was highly is still highly skilled as a carpenter. My parents worked with integrity and grace. Read more>>

Yuan Tian | Yuan Tian Fashion Designer & Illustrator & Jewelry Designer

I hail from the enchanting coastal town of Yantai, nestled in the northern regions of China. Its picturesque landscapes, kissed by the East China Sea, and its proximity to the vibrant cultures of Korea and Japan, have woven a tapestry of influences that have shaped the very essence of who I am today. Read more>>

Phindile Chowa | Concierge Medicine Physician

I am from a beautiful small Kingdom in Southern Africa called Eswatini. My father is Zambian and my mother is a Swazi. We moved to America when I was 9 years old. Growing up in Eswatini, a country with one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, I got to witness illness and death at an early age. My grandmother suffered a major stroke in her 50’s and that experience shaped who I am today. I used to go and watch my mom take care of her during the end of her life. A stroke from high blood pressure left her totally disabled. Read more>>