ATL’s Most Inspiring Stories

The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.

Percy Glover

As a formerly incarcerated person, I have made it my personal and professional mission to disrupt the systemic pathways that funnel Black and Brown youth into incarceration, and to create opportunities rooted in prevention, accountability, and healing. Read more>>

Leo D. Martinez

I am a first-generation Black Dominican American and trans writer based in Atlanta, GA, from Harlem, NYC. I still remember the first story I ever wrote. I was in the 8th grade, and during morning announcements, Ms. F.S. advertised that she was starting the Authors’ Club. Read more>>

Donna Nettles

I actually got started because of my mother’s house which had a lot of mold in it. She had spent thousands of dollars remediating because she had a roof leak. But the mold was never gone. They just treated and they never really actually got rid of all the mold. My mother got really sick and I didn’t relate it to the Mold exposure. Read more>>

Nyah Abdala

Growing up on the island of Jamaica taught me the true meaning of hard work, perseverance, and responsibility. For a long time, I believed my family and I grew up in poverty. Looking back now, I realize I had an incredibly rich childhood. Read more>>

Suzanne Salhaney

I have dreamed of becoming an actress since I was a small child. Life, however, had its own timeline. That dream was set aside as I embraced motherhood, first welcoming one child, then another. Though my path shifted, the dream never left me. When my children were grown and in college, I finally gave myself permission to pursue what had always lived in my heart. Read more>>

Chris LaFay

I’ve been building websites since elementary school. Back then, when the Harry Potter books were flying off the shelves at the school book fair, I wasn’t that kid. I wandered to the back corner and picked up a book called How to Build a Website for Kids. I brought it home, opened my computer, and started writing HTML. Read more>>

Brittney Palmer

In tandem, I have developed my career as a maternal health professional at a national nonprofit. In this role, I work to spearhead collaboration with local communities, national partners and funders to address maternal health through a health equity prioritized lens. The best practices I’ve learned and relationships I’ve built working alongside community based doula and maternal health organizations leaders offer yet another factor that greatly influences my doula practice. Read more>>

Adrianna Tew

My journey into nail artistry began in July 2020 during the pandemic, a time when I was searching for something creative and fulfilling. What started as a small business venture quickly turned into a passion after watching hours of nail videos and learning the art behind designs and acrylic application. After placing my first supply order, I realized nails were more challenging than I expected. Read more>>

Bobby Howard

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I was an active youth engaged in various sports programs from football to hockey and was a star athlete in each. I had an insatiable love for sports, though it would be football that would not only fuel my passion but also open the door to receiving a full football scholarship to Indiana University, where I studied business administration. Read more>>

Ziggy Felton

WILDLYFE | Our Story WILDLYFE was born 2013 on Candler Road at Weirdos Tattoos on the east side of Atlanta. The shop’s owner, Snow, had T-shirt printing equipment, which immediately caught our attention and sparked our creativity. What began as experimentation quickly turned into the foundation of a brand. We knew we needed a name that reflected our lifestyle and vision. Read more>>

Frankee Lu

Originally I’m from Boston, Ma. I moved down to Atlanta with a dollar and a dream. I’m a recording Rap artist but I probably wouldn’t even say just Rap, I do more than just that. I’m a musical creative is more like it. Read more>>

Joseph Ibarra

I was raised by my grandparents in Dallas, Texas, and it was there that I first fell in love with storytelling. In high school, I became fascinated with photojournalism and had a teacher who recognized something in my work and pushed me to take creative risks. Read more>>

Blesstheplaya

I pretty much got to where I am today but really yearning for art and sigificant artistry. At first it was writing, then recording. A big part of my life was being around the late collective BYVxYOD- that’s where I learning to really perform and cook up music and the level I am today. Read more>>

Ryan Klee

Rootstock emerged from the merger of my first company, Ryno Media, with my friend Tom Bell’s company, Chronicle. I came from a PR, marketing, and communications background, while Tom brought deep expertise in journalism, brand storytelling, and writing. Our skill sets complemented each other perfectly, and we began collaborating on high-level strategic communications work for B2B companies. Read more>>

Matthew Shorten

Certainly! I was born in Wollongong, Australia, and began violin lessons when I was six, after begging my parents for the best part of a year to let me try it out. I quickly fell in love with it, and from that point onward, music really became the center of my life. Read more>>

Jayd Greene

Creativity has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started drawing at six years old and grew up surrounded by music and art. I began doing makeup at fourteen and started painting at sixteen, using different mediums to explore storytelling and emotion. At eighteen, working at Netherworld expanded my perspective and pushed me toward more conceptual, immersive creative looks. Read more>>

Elle Cantrell

I was introduced to Interior Design at a young age and knew I wanted to pursue a career in the field, so I studied at SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design). During college I interned at a couple of firms in Atlanta and fell in love with residential design. When I started my career I worked jointly for an architect and interior designer. Read more>>

Jabari Higgs-Salaam

I was a track & field athlete at first, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. I was always into creative producing (through NIL partnerships with major brands like adidas crocs cerave & Gillette fusion), simply because I liked it. Read more>>

YaDeijha Butler

My story is one of growth, resilience, and learning how to navigate life through loss. My personal story is rooted in learning who I am and giving myself permission to be free. I’m the only girl of five kids on my mom’s side, which shaped me in a lot of ways early on. Read more>>

Taylor York

I’ve been a creative for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, in the neighborhood of Ladera Heights, and grew up in a musically inclined family that encouraged artistic expression from an early age. Read more>>

Tarsha Lynn

I grew up and started my journey in what I thought was a hobby for me. Being a middle child of 3 girls from Baltimore, MD, my only outlet at the time was hair. I would watch my mom style family members and friends and caught interest immediately when I saw the smiles she put on people’s face. Read more>>

Fred Morris

Over the years I have had the honor of capturing some of the most iconic places in the world, from Machu Picchu, Peru, The Golden Gate Bridge, Shanghai, China, Niagara Falls, Death Valley National Park, Western Europe, and Asia. God has been so good to me, and I take nothing for granted. Read more>>

Candice Turner

It’s definitely been a journey. When you all interviewed me in 2019, it was for my company, Candi’s Creations that I had started in 2018. By 2020, I transitioned into my charcuterie business, Candi’s Charcuterie Creations, after persistence from friends that I should start making charcuterie boards. I’ve learned over time though, that when industries become oversaturated, I prefer to pivot, rather than compete. Read more>>

Moniqe Young-Lewis

I was an Air Force kid who moved up and down the East coast. I always felt Georgia was home though. My elementary years were spent in Warner Robins & Macon, which was perfect since my maternal roots are there in middle Georgia. I grew up believing in the power and value of community, whether through family, church, or my military-connected neighbors. Read more>>

John Evenden

When words aren’t enough, we fight, and when we do, we fight like ourselves but with an exclamation mark; the sign of a good fight scene is when we learn more about the characters while simultaneously being moved and thrilled by the choreography, and I live for the moments where a universal truth of what it means to be a human is revealed and explored with a punch, a slash, or a decision to not give up. Read more>>

Jaylen Washington

As I got older, my influences came in the form of a lot of contemporary rap. Some notable songs: Saba(Calligraphy), Ovrkast(TBH!), Jay Electronica(Exhibit C), Glokk40Spaz(Bad Man), Max B (So Hard), El Cousteau (Redlines), Freddie Gibbs(Fake Names), Greyson & Jaysun (Livin’ Like A Troopa’), Mac Miller (Buttons), and Mos Def (Mathematics). I’m certain I’ll forget more names, but the point is that I am a “Hip-Hop-Head”. Read more>>

Kimberly Abrams

My journey hasn’t been a straight line. I started out as a Criminal Justice professor, and I really loved mentoring students and being part of conversations that helped people think differently about their lives and their choices. Teaching showed me how powerful mindset, faith, and encouragement can be when someone is trying to grow. At the same time, life was shaping me personally. Read more>>

Sydney Sevdalis

I’ve always been drawn to the space where food, community, and place intersect. My background spans media, events, and community organizing, but the common thread has always been creating environments where people feel connected. Read more>>

Roni Robbins

The assignment for my first journalism class as a Hauppauge High School (NY) senior was to write the potential opening copy for the yearbook. Students took turns reading their submissions and a classmate suggested to the teacher that I read mine. I did, and the room was silent, so I stopped reading. Read more>>

Paolo Fornasini

I grew up in Atlanta in a family of medical professionals, and our family’s pediatric practice has served local families for nearly three decades. Being around that world made children’s health feel less like an “interest” and more like a lifelong moral responsibility. I saw how the healthcare workers I respected most listened to parents and earned trust over time. Read more>>

Kiss The Poet

I was raised on the southside of Mount Vernon, NY. Specifically, the Ebony Gardens houses on 7th Ave and 3rd Street. I didn’t start writing poetry until I was 22 years old. Poetry manifested at a transitional period in my life. Prior to writing I was an absolute product of my environment. Read more>>

Toris Montez

I was born in Norfolk, Virginia but moved to Atlanta when I was 4 years old. So Atlanta is home for me. As far as how I got started on the path that I’m on now it started in college. I actually started out doing music. I took piano lessons in high school and that turned into an interest in music production. Read more>>

Alijah Morris

The main reason I enjoy what I do as a filmmaker, is that I can genuinely bring my imaginations to life. I’ve always loved, dreamlike or majestic fantasies kind of genres.. When I was a little kid, I used to reenact movies and shows with my siblings. Read more>>

Apoc Krysis

I’ve always loved music but didn’t know I would become an artist. I would freestyle at parties when I was in high school and my friends would be like “no man you’re really good at this you should make some actual tracks”. I recorded some early tracks using a PS2 microphone and uploaded them on SoundCloud. Read more>>

Keyosha Carbon

Growing up I tolerated the process of hair, it was something you had to do to be presentable. Then in high school it felt like something that had to look a certain way to fit in. I had no idea how to curl or straighten or how to switch styles. It wasn’t until college, that I really took autonomy of my hair. Read more>>

Tierra king Ronald baker

Selling individual plates in our community and to family and friends was our start, then the demand for catering events followed. It inspired us to turn our passion into a business we hope will be our legacy. Our focus is simple — consistent service, outstanding flavor, and great presentation. We continue to service the Atlanta and surrounding area offering drop off catering for corporate and private events. Read more>>

Sasha Gomez

As a recording artist, I write, record, engineer, and mix all of my own music turning my vision into sound. I started remaking songs doing my own covers which landed me on Ellen Degeneres website. I’m the voice you hear speaking on Trey Songz’s Passion, Pain & Pleasure album, and I also did a song with Trey called “Whatever You Want.” Later, I collaborated with Yung Joc on “Come to Me,” and I’ve worked with other talented artists as well and have been on tv shows, several films and also in music videos, building a name for myself in the music & modeling industry. Read more>>

Richard Smith

By The Grace Of God, I started my journey after I graduated Armwood High School. I was 18 years old and I moved in to live with my father in DuPont, GA. He gave me a clipper and a trimmer and the rest was history. I joined the US ARMY the year of 2014. Read more>>

Andrew Weaver

Starting out using the 1 computer my family had to draw Dragonball Z characters and having my 5th grade art displayed at a local museum, I’ve always been into the realm of art and design. Discovering Photoshop in 11th grade, I slowly began understanding how creativity, design, and business all intertwined. Read more>>

Chelsea Favors

Chelsea On A Journey started when God placed me in my mother’s womb . 28 years later the journey is still going by the grace of God. I was born to be a light in this world no matter how many times the devil and his devices have tried to stop it God made me shine even brighter! Read more>>

Val Almanza

I started @my.browsbyval when I was 21 years old. At the time I was a full-time college student and also working full-time at Native Collective in Trilith. I decided to take courses and certifications to expand my knowledge in the beauty industry and be able to offer more services to my clients. Read more>>

Kendrick Johnson

Has it been the fairest? I can honestly say no, but there are lessons in every journey you must take with you. Understanding the value in what you offer as an artist & what you stand by has to be a standard you maintain consistently. A struggle along the way was not letting slower seasons get to me & to keep pushing because someone is always watching. Promo, Promo, Promo. Read more>>

Dr. Karin Davis

From small town beginnings to a career that has expanded into medicine, dentistry, and oral surgery, let me take you on a journey into the life. Read more>>

Auxpt

I am a genre-blending artist from Columbia, South Carolina, crafting emotionally driven music that merges rap, R&B, melodic hip-hop, and atmospheric storytelling. Coming from the South, my sound reflects a balance of soul, struggle, and introspection—music shaped by late nights, real conversations, and lived experience. My influences include Drake’s emotional transparency, Kendrick Lamar’s narrative depth, J. Read more>>

Edward Shin

I came to the US when I was 30 and completely changed my career to physical therapist. I’ve worked my way from a staff PT to clinic director and joined FIT IN MOTION as a partner in 2019. Since then, I realized not only the clinical side of PT but also the business operation side of physical therapy interested me a lot. Read more>>

Dee Seymore

I started Masc-OFF with a simple desire to create something that I didn’t feel I had access to growing up and to debunk the notion that it’s challenging to develop connections among other masc presenting women. I was quite young when I discovered my sexual orientation, this period was difficult for me because I didn’t have anyone to turn to for guidance or questions. Read more>>

Chris Cole

In 2017, I decided to do what was best for my family and our future and take my 21 years in the window cleaning and pressure washing industry, and start my own company. Read more>>

Jason C. Louder

I like to say that Acting found me in 2009 and we’ve been in luv ever since… It started with a phone call from a good friend; asking if I wanted to go to an audition at Georgia State University. Read more>>

Chretien Adams

I was born and raised Stone Mountain GA. My dad introduced me to music very young. And my mom put me in orchestra and band when I was in elementary school. I Attended Stephenson High school, where I started making beats my senior year of high school. Ended up going to FAMU from 2017-2021 to major in Music Industry. Read more>>

Liyana Postles

I feel like I truly found a passion for fashion during COVID. This was when TikTok was on the rise and my for you page mostly consisted of people playing dress up in their closets. I can’t really explain it, but something just clicked inside of me and it led me to researching colleges that had majors in fashion. Read more>>

Yvonne Jordan

I’ve always been fascinated by color—long before The Palette Edit existed. For years, I spent my time painting and working with colored pencils, and later creating digital art, studying how subtle shifts in hue, temperature, and depth can completely change how something is perceived. Faces, in particular, intrigued me. Read more>>

Pariyetta Alford

I also express myself through modeling, using it as a way to represent women who see themselves in me and to remind them that beauty starts from within. This confidence didn’t come overnight, it was built by God. Read more>>

Annie Epstein

I started talking to architects, designers, realtors, and builders, and none of them had anyone to call or refer when clients needed a real gym planned. Their clients were essentially on their own when it came to designing the space and choosing the right equipment. That’s the gap I decided to fill, and I started Modern Gym Design. Read more>>

Juliana Nelson

Absolutely, I’d love to walk you through my story and how I arrived where I am today. My journey really began when COVID hit our family restaurant, iLounge Caribbean, in Marietta. We were just two years shy of opening, and overnight everything changed. Watching my own family’s business struggle made me wonder how many other small businesses in our community were suffering too. Read more>>

Blossom “C.Nice” Goodluck

So believe it or not I’m a certified electrician & didn’t think doing hair would be my passion ! I mean I know I was a creator but not a barber or stylist ! Certain things didn’t work out with me in the electrical field as far as receiving my worth but I would always do hair on the side! Read more>>

Glory Jewitt

A little about me – I am the Global Head of Environment, Health & Safety at Google, overseeing operations for global data centers. A passionate advocate for women in leadership, I have been featured in publications like The Wall Street Times and was honored as one of the ‘Women Who Mean Business’ by the Houston Business Journal in 2025. Read more>>

DeAngelo Bailey

I always have a passion for playing basketball and that’s what I did. I played basketball in middle school, high school, 6 different AAU teams, Prep Team, and ABA Semi Pro team. Throughout my basketball playing years, I didn’t think I would have a better passion for coaching, until I became an assistant coach for a basketball recreation team in 2014. Read more>>

Bianca Ruff

I discovered my love for doing hair at a young age, turning simple moments of styling into a creative outlet. What began as a passion grew into a skill I continued to nurture over the years. Today, doing hair brings me genuine joy and it allows me to express creativity, boost others’ confidence, and connect with people in meaningful ways. Read more>>

Russell Squire

Oh man, it’s been a long journey to get here, and I’m still not finished yet. I’m 38, Christian, raised in a 2 parent home, by two God fearing parents. I’m the oldest of 9 kids. I’ve always been someone who loved to talk, share my experiences as well as learn other people’s experiences. Read more>>

Jenna Aronowitz

Jenna and Howard started their journey into the restaurant industry at Atlanta Bread company, being franchisees for 16 years. Almost 11 years ago we decided it was time to go on our own and created 1920 Tavern. Read more>>

Jamar Thomas

I started in HVAC because I wanted a hands-on career where I could build a real skill and see the results of my work every day. Early on, I focused on learning the fundamentals installation, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance and I made it a priority to learn from experienced technicians and stay open to feedback. Read more>>

Chasidy K Ashley

TBK Wellness Spa began as an intimate private suite and has gracefully evolved into a full-service luxury wellness spa. After proudly serving the Roswell area for five years, we relocated to Atlanta this fall to offer a more elevated and immersive experience. Read more>>

Justin Walker

In 2020 I moved to Atlanta from Alabama & began apprenticing at City of Ink Castleberry, where I learned the craft & the culture of tattooing. Luckily I didn’t have to pay for my apprenticeship , but I did work & have tasks in exchange for learning. While apprenticing I worked a part time job from 6am -2pm everyday, changed in the parking lot & drove to my apprenticeship where I could be there as late as 2am depending on the day. I did this for about a year & a half, before taking the leap in 2021 & becoming a full time artist. It was definitely worth it! Read more>>

Chantal Taylor

I started my journey from a place of passion, resilience, and survival. At a young age, I learned how to create something out of nothing, using my voice, creativity, and faith as tools to push forward even when life felt uncertain. What began as simply wanting to express myself through writing, music, and movement slowly turned into purpose-driven work. Read more>>

Nicholas Perry

A quick run-down of our journey & pursuit into the world of business & fashion goes a little something like this, we’re a brand of two lifelong friends hailing from a small city within the state of Georgia. Read more>>

Matthew Montgomery

Growing up, I loved writing stories about just about anything. I was constantly on my computer coming up with characters, plots, and ideas, just writing for the fun of it. It never felt like work; it was just something I naturally gravitated toward and couldn’t stop doing. Read more>>

Joy Wilford

I’m Joy Wilford, born and raised on the Westside of Atlanta, where community, culture, and connection were part of everyday life. My love for hospitality started early, even though my professional journey didn’t begin there. I launched my career as an educator, learning how to lead, inspire, and pour into people — skills that would later become the foundation of my hospitality leadership style. Read more>>

Meg Harris

I started at a very young age dancing, jazz, ballet, hip hop and tap. I was a part of the Dance Company for The Dancer’s Workshop in Marietta. In high school I was on the Dance Team for McEachern High School in Powder Springs. I was asked to choregraph a few of our routines and I enjoyed it so much. Read more>>

Chancellor Ahaghotu

I’m a Nigerian artist, and for most of my life I struggled to define myself. I always had a strong artistic drive, but growing up, I was consistently pushed toward science. That disconnect (knowing who I was internally while being directed elsewhere) eventually led me into a period of depression. Read more>>

Larondra Dison-Terry

My name is Larondra “Ronnie” Dison-Terry. As an Air Force brat, I spent my formative years in Riverside, California, where my stepfather was stationed at March Air Force Base. I started modeling and dancing at a very young age, In school I was very active in sports, dance, and band. After graduating, I attended college as a TV/Radio Communications major and was also a member of the dance team, but it didn’t take long for me to realize I wanted a different path—so I took a leap of faith and left school. Read more>>

Gerald M’nyaki

My journey into the world of software began not in a lecture hall, but in the quiet hum of a local cyber café. Fresh out of high school, I was captivated by the hidden logic of computers, a fascination that was still abstract, waiting for a spark. That spark arrived in the form of a customer. Read more>>

Krystal Currie

I’ve always been someone who cares deeply about people, their stories, their potential, and the environments that shape them. That passion led me into the world of social services early on. I studied social work and began working with youth and families who were navigating crisis, instability, and systems that often failed them. Read more>>