Where are you from and how has it impacted you?
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.
Agatha Achindu | Author Bountiful Cooking, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach & Wellness Architect
I was raised in Cameroon, West Africa, on an organic farm where my family lived close to the earth. Every meal was made from scratch by my mami, rooted in the freshest ingredients and traditions. This foundation has deeply influenced how I feed my family and guide clients toward health and balance. It’s also where my passion for holistic wellness was born. Read more>>
Cole Mihalich | Filmmaker
I come from a small town, just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up in a close-knit community helped to foster a supportive environment which shaped many of my values and aspirations. Education was certainly an emphasis, not only in the traditional sense but also in an artistic sense. I had the rare privilege of attending a public school with a relatively robust music program, which provided me with an outlet to express and explore. That same curiosity lent itself to other art forms which I would gravitate towards in later years. Read more>>
Steph & M.d. | Murder In The Black Hosts
Both of us hail from Dallas, Texas, a region renowned for its vibrant culture and strong sense of identity. It is widely acknowledged that Texas holds a special place in the hearts of its residents, and we are no exception. Our pride in our home state is palpable, and we believe that this pride has significantly influenced our personal and professional journeys. Read more>>
Jordan Williamson | La Gringa Jo – Atlanta Foodie and Content Creator
I’m from Atlanta and from a young age, my mom often spoke to my brother and I (or I should say scolded us) in French. I started studying French in high school and was OBSESSED. I stopped taking French classes eventually and I only really became interested in Spanish at the end of my undergraduate studies. I also studied a little bit of Mandarin Chinese during undergrad, but none of it really stuck. Read more>>
Adeiza Usman | Creative director, photographer & Student
I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, as the oldest of four. With three younger sisters, I took on a lot of responsibility early, which taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of setting an example. Lagos is a city full of energy, color, and culture, and being surrounded by such diversity from a young age inspired my curiosity and love for storytelling. Photography became my way of capturing that vibrancy, but it wasn’t until 2018, right after high school, that I started pursuing it more seriously. I was 16 at the time, and it felt like a natural way to express my perspective and document the world around me. Read more>>
Jason Burnett | Detailer and Activist
I’m from Los Angeles California but my mother and her family are from Atlanta Georgia. Growing up in Cali I was always told about my family down south and at 13 I was able to visit for the first time. The next year my dad and uncle actually moved to Atlanta and I convinced my mom we should go to. Once I connected with her side of the family I began seeing the poverty that my mom came from. When she passed we started Everybody Eats in her neighborhood “The Bluff” and chose to give back to the community that raised my family. So we feed people in need each Wed in her honor. Read more>>
Otis Damón | Milliner
I’m from Hempstead, New York which is in the suburbs of Long Island.
My background and upbringing impacted who I am today by the support of community within my home town, church, & mentoring educators in my high school. Read more>>
Cassie Correna | Lifestyle and Wedding Photographer
I’m originally from Evergreen, Alabama, but spent most of my childhood in Columbus, GA. Back home, I’m the oldest daughter and granddaughter in a blended family. Growing up, I always cherished family time and often wished I could freeze those moments—something I shared with my grandmother. When I turned 12, she gave me my first Nikon camera. It wasn’t fancy, but it was the start of my photography journey. Read more>>
Dr. Sallam Still | Educator, Pastor & Digital Creator
I was born and raised in sunny South Florida and I am of Haitian descent. My mother came to the US when she was only 17 to start a new life. Growing up life was not all roses, we struggled a lot as my mother was the sole provider for my sisters and I. Because of this, my older sister and I had to grow up quickly. We took on a lot of adult responsibilities in order to fill the gap of my mother always working to provide. Read more>>
Mike Vahdat | CEO of Ambiance Atlanta
I was born in Iran and moved to the United States at the age of 18. My journey brought me to Cobb County, Georgia, where I completed high school. I then pursued both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech. After graduating, I began my career working for a Fortune 100 company as a researcher and project manager. After five years, I transitioned to a short tenure with a large international firm as a program manager before being recruited as Vice President and Engineering Manager for a major manufacturing company. In that role, I was responsible for factory remodeling and expansion, which is where I discovered my passion for construction. Read more>>
Christopher Smith | Mogul
I’m from Atlanta, Georgia, the youngest of five brothers, and raised in a single-parent home. My background is shaped by resilience, determination, and a refusal to let my circumstances define who I am or where I can go in life. Growing up in poverty without the resources or connections that others may have had, I was always taught to be self-sufficient. I started working at 12, juggling multiple jobs not because I had to, but because I felt the need to mature quickly due to my environment. At the time, I didn’t fully understand why, but looking back, I see that it was all about building discipline and independence. Read more>>
Tracey Thomas | CEO of Island Magic LLC
“I am from Jamaica, a place that holds the essence of natural beauty and resilience. My upbringing was profoundly influenced by the strong women in my life—my grandmother Rose, my aunt Faith, and my mother Angela —who together shaped the person I am today. Read more>>
Hanna Akpan | Content Creator, Wellness Advocate & Public Relations Professional
I’m from Atlanta, a city that’s deeply shaped my identity and approach to life. Growing up here as a Black woman, I was surrounded by rich culture, resilience, and a strong sense of community. Atlanta taught me the value of celebrating who you are, embracing your roots, and holding space for others. My upbringing emphasized hard work, kindness, and faith, which has become the foundation of my “Hanna from Atlanta” brand. I’m passionate about wellness, creativity, and helping others find flow in their own lives because I’ve seen firsthand how transformative those values can be. Atlanta’s influence is woven into everything I do, from my content to how I connect with people. Read more>>
Jerica Morales | Self- Care & Healing Coach for moms
I’m from Camden, New Jersey, where I was raised by my mother alongside my younger sister and brother. Growing up, I watched my mother live in survival mode—working full-time and even becoming a college student while raising three children on her own. She did the best she could, but as the oldest, I had many responsibilities. I took care of my siblings, ensured the house was clean, and prepared meals. While my mother worked tirelessly to meet our basic needs, she wasn’t emotionally or mentally available for us. We didn’t experience much love, affection, or the guidance needed to prepare us for life ahead. Read more>>
