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.

Tope Mitchell, PhD | CEO, Storyteller-Researcher, Mother, and Wife

I moved around between two parents as a child and also between two cultures. My mother is African American from the south and my father is from Nigeria. They were both entrepreneurs when I was young and they worked a lot but they enjoyed building and creating. I was also at either my Dad’s office or my Mother’s office working with them. That is why I type at a crazy speed and always want to think about a way to fix the world around me and make an impact. I have never thought of work as something that “ended” as a child and into my youth I always worked multiple “on the books and off the books” jobs. Read more>>

Sydnee Floyd | Talk Show Host & Healer

I grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi, a small city that I felt limited by. My childhood was uniquely different from other children. I had to mature quickly because at the age of 8, I became a caregiver for my sick grandmother. Being a caregiver at such a young age, my childhood experiences were limited. I cared for my grandmother until she passed away when I was 17. At the time, I didn’t fully understand why I had to take on such a significant role so young. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize how impactful these experiences were in shaping me into the person I am today. Read more>>

Theresa Davis | Author & Educator

I was born in St. Louis Missouri but I have lived in Atlanta all of my adult life. My parents were very passionate about the arts and education. My siblings and I were exposed to everything art. We frequented museums, attended listening parties, theater, the symphony. If there was a creative event and we could learn something interesting from it my parents took us there. They were also artist, so we were encouraged to express ourselves creatively. it took me a little longer than is should have to realize I was an artist and each of my siblings have careers that allow them to creatively express themselves. Read more>>

Alisha Taweel | Painter

Pinning down where I’m “from” is a bit tricky. I’ve always been a bit of a nomad, moving from city to city with my family throughout my life. We lived in the cold of Canada and the heat of Nashville. But if I had to choose a common thread, it would be the constant exposure to different cultures and creative scenes. In Nashville, the warm evenings fostered storytelling on the patio and live outdoor music. In Philadelphia, I was surrounded by historic architecture, street art, and a thriving underground art scene. Each city left its mark on me. Read more>>

Iri Kim | kaleidoscopic artist + yoga teacher

Hi, I’m Iri. I am a South Korean American who was raised in Birmingham, Alabama. My parents were young immigrants in their early twenties and worked really hard for our lives. This has attributed greatly to my work ethic and perception of what it takes to find success and I am grateful for all of the lessons they have taught me. Although I worked really hard to fit in growing up as best I could, nothing could change that I was a minority among my peers. I think this was a fact that I had a hard time accepting for a while. I wanted to be liked, understood, and seen – but all that was seen of me were my differences. Read more>>

JOCK MONOCC | Fashion Architect

Im from Flatbush, Brooklyn New York, “Yeeer” lol a City Boy for Sure! In todays light thats like a fad, something cool to be but many have no idea what’s it’s like growing up in “Thee” city, NYC That is. Most people that meet me today, somehow always ends up saying “your so New York”. And that’s just it, the jungle really makes or breaks you, as a kid growing up you start out extremely independent, and if you weren’t confident you’d be tested. One of your first learning lessons is all you’ve got is yourself. Family was at work! No one in my family didn’t work! So my cousin and I had to do many things on our own which built character and strength. Read more>>

Markus Kaulius | Investor, Serial Entrepreneur, Best Selling Author, Global Speaker

My backstory, while challenging when I went through it and, in some cases, for decades following, is a key reason I am who I am today. A broke and broken family scarred me for years. A 6’4, 120 lb body plagued me for years. One of my mentors, Rory Vaden, explained it best when he said: “we are most powerfully positioned to help the person we once were.” I have learned to not only embrace my backstory, but see new challenges as gifts and opportunities to grow. Read more>>

Nayirah Joseph | Event Planner and Caterer

I am originally from New York. Harlem to be exact. I spent equal amount of time being raised in New York and Atlanta. Really Douglasville, GA. However most people outside of GA only know about Atlanta and thinks I know T.I personally and went to cascade every day of my life. LOL Anyway, I think being raised in a busy fast paced city, and learning southern hospitality in a small town outside of a major city, ultimately created a balance. I’m able to navigate multiple environments and adapt to different circumstances. Read more>>

Denise Robinson | Family Nurse Practitioner & Med Spa Owner

My background and upbringing have had a significant impact on shaping who I am today. As a teenage mom, I faced many challenges and responsibilities at a young age, which taught me resilience, determination, and the importance of hard work. Growing up in the projects, I learned the value of community, resourcefulness, and the importance of supporting one another in times of need. Additionally, having a mother who was deaf taught me the importance of communication, empathy, and understanding different perspectives. I learned to be patient, compassionate, and to appreciate the unique strengths and abilities of individuals with disabilities. Read more>>