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.

Alfred Thomas, Jr.

I grew up in Choppee, a rural area on the outskirts of Georgetown, South Carolina. While many people are familiar with Charleston or Myrtle Beach, Georgetown sits right between the two. My upbringing was shaped by a household with both my parents, but it wasn’t without its challenges. The community faced issues like alcoholism, drug abuse, and domestic violence, which I believe influenced my career path. These experiences have given me a unique perspective, allowing me to connect with others who have gone through similar struggles. Read More>>

Karl Bryan

Grew up in a small town in Canada. Single mom. Hockey rinks. Tough love. We didn’t have much, but we had each other—and for a while, that was enough.

Then the bottom fell out.

My brother—one of the smartest guys I knew—took his own life after his business collapsed. Eventually, my mom drank herself to death from the grief. That was it. That was the moment everything changed. Read More>>

Siya Jain

“What do you want to become when you grow up?” a simple question that often stumped me in middle school, conflicted as I was with expectations to become a STEM kid like most in my circle, versus joining a less conventional field in the arts. While my parents supported my choices, many people’s underlying judgments made me second-guess my aspirations. Read More>>

Kellye Jones

I am from East Orange, New Jersey Parsippany, NJ and Cherryville, NC. I claim all three locations because they all played a strong role in my upbringing.

Until age 10, I lived in East Orange, NJ. It was probably 95% black. At the age of 10, we moved to Parsippany and my high school was less than 1% black. My mother made sure my weekend play dates were inclusive of my friends from East Orange and my friends from Parsippany and I was not allowed to code switch.  Read More>>

Mario Del Cubo

I grew up in Chur, Switzerland, in the heart of the Alps, in a Swiss-Spanish household. My upbringing was shaped by a rich blend of cultures and languages, as well as the unique environment of a small Alpine city. From a young age, I was drawn to the stage, finding both joy and challenge in performing. Being a sensitive, artistic child made me stand out among my peers, and acting quickly became a form of survival and self-expression for me. It helped me navigate the discomfort of not fitting in and the bullying I experienced, ultimately becoming a therapeutic way to bridge the gap between my mind and body. Read More>>

Skai Rose

I’m originally from Oakland, California! I’d say my drive to create really started with my family. They’ve always encouraged me and my siblings to try new things, explore the world, and figure out what we truly want out of life.

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember—literally since I first learned how to hold a pencil. And from that moment on, I never stopped. Read More>>

J.K.

I was born in Little Rock, AR, and raised in Atlanta, GA.
To be honest it’s an honor to really grow up in the A. So much culture, and vision here.
This city is such a melting pot of different sounds, personalities, and visuals. Read More>>