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.

Chelsey Clark

My connection to the restaurant industry started with my father who, as a teenager, owned a small fried chicken shop in Brooklyn, NY. After leaving that job to pursue other passions and moving to Georgia to raise our family, he found his way back to restaurants when I was in middle school. In 2013, he opened Suite Food Lounge, which would quickly become an iconic Atlanta spot for food, drinks, and curated experiences. Read More>>

Monica Allen

Meet Monica Allen, a dynamic and inspiring entrepreneur who defied the odds and shattered stereotypes to create a life she loves. Growing up in a small town in Georgia with her single mom, grandmother and uncle, Monica lived below the poverty line and faced numerous challenges from a young age. But instead of letting her circumstances define her, Monica was determined to break the cycle and create a better future for herself. Read More>>

Jonathan Peters

Driven by the city’s creative energy, Jonathan expanded this vision in 2024 by taking over and revitalizing ATL Black Creatives and Influencers, a Meetup group with over one thousand members. Under Jonathan’s leadership, the group began hosting monthly events, offering Atlanta and Georgia-based creatives a dedicated space to connect, collaborate, and forge meaningful relationships. With a commitment to fostering authentic connections, Jonathan continues to build bridges between the tech and creative worlds, inspiring and empowering individuals across both industries to reach new heights together. Read More>>

Samuel Daniel

Not because I didn’t love the sport anymore, I just didn’t love the business aspect of it. I felt like a failure. I decided to go visit my mom in my hometown where people show me a lot of love, being the first and only professional basketball player out of Kingsland, GA. While I was there, my old coach asked me to come to the gym. When I arrived, I was amazed to see so many kids training and playing basketball—something that had never happened before in my hometown, inspired by my journey. They were so excited to see me and asked when my next game was and who I’d be playing for, unaware that my playing days were over. That’s when it hit me—this was bigger than me! Read More>>

Que Josiah Thomas

I know many people who I believe to be innocent but are still sitting behind bars. Thousands who are out but are unable to vote, obtain a good job, or a safe place to live after serving their time. Read More>>

Stephanie Jenkins

Not so much as a struggle but more hard work -networking – creating a social media presence and getting referrals from clients other contacts to build up a reputation. Read More>>

Shatanese Reese

A few years after completing my master’s degree and starting a family, I moved to Atlanta with my small family of four. At the time of my cancer diagnosis, I’d been in Atlanta for 17 years. While I’d enjoyed a successful career in Human Resources for nearly two decades in various industries such as banking, retail, and higher education, I wondered if I was truly doing what I was called to do. Read More>>

Teshika Burnside

My journey as a wedding and event planner has been a beautiful evolution filled with growth, resilience, and passion. Chic Soirées began in Baltimore as a spark of creativity, inspired by my love for design, event flow, and bringing people’s most cherished celebrations to life. After relocating to Atlanta, I had the opportunity to embrace a fresh start, expanding Chic Soirées into a unique blend of wedding planning, day-of coordination, and eco-conscious event production. Read More>>

Chanel Porter-Lagrier

I started my podcast May 2020. I have always wanted to do a podcast, but thought I needed a lot of money to start. I didn’t know all I needed was my phone and my voice. Lol! After doing my research, I started working on creating my podcast. So, let’s backtrack. I always wanted to create this podcast for my best friend and I. We’re two total different people, and people just think I’m bougie and not down-to-earth, but it’s the total opposite. My best friend would always say “I wish people could see what I see because they wouldn’t believe this.” Lol. So originally, I wanted to start this podcast to showcase our personalities. Read More>>

Fancy Jones

The struggles along the way of being in this industry have not been that bad for me to where I couldn’t handle it. Letting my podcast and adult content go to have the world view me as an actress only, wasn’t that hard. I have a great gift of acting so I knew the transition was possible but I had to work hard to rebrand myself. That came with me turning down roles with adult scenes which I wasn’t worried about. Because if I could catch the world attention with my podcast, I knew I could catch their attention with my acting, which I did. I wanted to put the work in, so to me, it wasn’t that hard. Read More>>

Tynia Pratt-Davis

No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Being in the hair industry makes you want to quit sometimes. It gets really slow, and when it’s slow, that means no money is coming in. Braiding takes up a lot of time, so juggling it with paying for school and bills is really tough. There were times when I had to offer big sales just to make some money because my client base was slow. I even had to do hair for free and reach out to people, asking for different types of promo or free work to get my name out there. Read More>>

Helena Mcgee

Being a people person and in an effort to provide an alternative income to her growing family, Helena starting driving for rideshare companies Uber and Lyft in 2015. During this time, she met an owner of a non-emergency medical transportation service. Helena partnered with this gift-giver and introduced to the opportunity of being a bridge to better health for the general public. With her growing passion to become a business owner, Helena retired her career as a paralegal and birthed Executive Care NEMT and Language Services LLC in October 2019. Read More>>

Jonathan Rivera

InDaSpot Podcast started due to the lack of recognition and light being shed on talented creative Latinos living in Georgia. Growing up as an aspiring artist and creative myself, my journey in wanting to be a music artist was filled with obstacles like not having enough media outlets that would cater to upcoming local talent. This podcast was inspired by those same struggles that i went through myself and also to inspire upcoming creatives that UNITY is the key! The purpose of this project is to build a network and shed light into other creatives. InDaSpot is a spanglish podcast about the lives of creatives Latinos living in Atlanta. Read More>>

Melissa Phomlavanh

I got into franchising with Clean Your Dirty Face a bit unexpectedly in 2021, but in hindsight, it’s been a natural progression. My background was originally in Clinical Trial Research Finance and Project Management where I developed a strong foundation in planning, executing and closing out projects. I still currently work at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in Corporate Finance, but Clean Your Dirty Face has been my biggest project to date! Read More>>

Monica Castro Marquez

Her work has been exhibited on different local places around the Atlanta city including her presentation with Telemundo Atlanta introducing herself as an emerging artist. Thought her lyrics, Montsy aspires to keep alive the importance of the message in the lyrics of her songs, through love and awareness of the human being, the feelings and emotions that each of us carry within us. Currently based on Brookhaven GA, Montsy is working on different projects with more commercial instrumentals connecting her message to any audience that listens to her. Read More>>

Therapeutic Artists Resource

Orion Crook, our founder and board president, first conceived of TAR while they were applying for an artist residency at the Hambidge Center and proposed to lead a support group for fellow residents while they would be there. Although not selected for the residency, the seed was planted and became a catalyst for Orion to seek out spaces where their vision of integrating therapeutic support into artist residencies could flourish. As a psychotherapist and artist, Orion knows the emotional and mental challenges artists face all too well. A desire to help artists process these challenges continues to influence the initiatives and mission of Therapeutic Artists Resource. Read More>>

Essence Walcott

My journey started with a love for beauty and creativity. Growing up in New York, I was always that friend doing everyone’s hair and makeup, just naturally drawn to making people look and feel their best. After graduating from Empire Beauty School, I started my career as a makeup artist and hairstylist right in NYC, working alongside some incredible celebrity stylists and even getting a chance to showcase my skills at events like New York Fashion Week. That experience taught me a lot about the industry, and it pushed me to want to create something of my own. Read More>>

Rhonda Chaplin

A few pivotal shifts brought me to where I am today. One of these defining moments was my evolution from Human Resources to Organizational Development with a focus on Vision Building. This shift deepened my commitment to spiritual and holistic growth and allowed me to support faith-based leaders and communities through my work. Additionally, personal transitions added a profound layer to my mission of emboldening others to live free, fully, and purposefully. Read More>>

Pooja Patel

Nothing compares to living for the approval of yourself rather than those around you. Currently, I am finishing up my MBA in Marketing and plan to graduate December 2024. I am a part-time content creator. I also have an amazing internship with F&W Style, a luxury leather handbag company, as their now social media marketing intern-previously fashion marketing intern. I am so excited to see what this next chapter in my life holds, whether its moving back home or finding a job here in Atlanta. This city has taught me so much and has treated me so well. I am forever grateful for the experiences and amazing people I have met through my journey here. Read More>>

Tommy Kodel

Growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s in Norwalk, CT, I was heavily influenced by rap and hip-hop, planting seeds in me at an early age to pursue my passion as a rapper. I dropped my first mixtape in high school with a group of friends, which created quite a buzz around school. As I began to move forward at a young age, my rap career came to a halt after I had a spiritual transformation sparked by an encounter with Jesus Christ. Read More>>

Kinsley Williams

My first attempt at the class was a massive failure. It was a self-paced online course that I couldn’t keep up with. Here’s where that perseverance came from: what I learned from sports. I attempted the class again and was able to obtain my license. Today, I find myself working with Maximum One Realty Partners, where I am a licensed real estate agent. My mother and I have formed a team called Williams Investment Group. My mother is one of my biggest inspirations, supporters, and business partners. I continue to grow and learn, driven by my passion for helping people find their dream homes, secure their financial futures, or add to their portfolios. Read More>>

Lavell Hewitt

My journey in Hospice started back in 2006. I was hired as an office manager and from there my ability to cross train and learn different areas of the business propel me to learn how to read policies and state regulations. Of course, as things in life typically go I didn’t Know that I was being prepared to eventually one day on my own company in 2017. I had the opportunity to purchase a partnership into a small hospice company in North Georgia. Stayed there for five years and eventually sold my percentage and started Autumn View Hospice in 2020 currently Autumn View Hospice isvery successful and I am very pleased that I decided to start the company because I genuinely love helping our patients and our families navigate life during the last days. Read More>>

Atlanta Graduates

Since its inception, The Atlanta Graduates has performed at numerous prestigious events, including for Oakhurst and Virginia Highlands Porchfest, the Atlanta Falcons, and even a performance at The White House. The group was originally formed by Margot Adler, Retta Sola, Joe Martinez, and Brooks Smith, all former members of Wake Forest University’s Innuendo, because they missed a cappella singing and the camaraderie of their college group. Read More>>

Eva Phillips

My very first networking event that I attended, I met Heather. All because of a funky purse that I carried. She had been working for a floral design company for many years and was full of advice for someone completely green in the industry. After shadowing her for a wedding installation, the two of us decided to become business partners. We worked around the clock out of my house/kitchen and were able to quit our day jobs, just 9 short months after starting the business and moved tulip into warehouse space. We have provided floral decorations for many joyous life celebrations and corporate events all over the Atlanta and surrounding areas and recently expanded our services to the Emerald coast Read More>>

Max Wilder

I kept practicing and over time I got pretty good at taking pictures. Over the years I have updated my gear and got more confident in my abilities, which has awarded me some cool opportunities in the photography world. Though I still consider landscape photography to be my favorite, sports photography is currently my main focus; having worked with the College Football Hall of Fame, Georgia Bulldog Sports Marketing and the Atlanta Dream. Read More>>

Morganne Stanberry

Right out of college, I worked for a private Christian school in their marketing department as a digital content creator and I absolutely loved it, but I knew that I wanted to take my business full-time one day. Fast forward to today, I decided to take the leap and quit my job back in July to pursue Morganne Taylor Creative full-time. God has blessed me and given me success in this industry, and I am so thankful for my friends and family who helped me get here. Read More>>

Jason Barbosa

In 2023, I decided to explore and try my hand at portraits, sports and event photography. With the support of my family and friends, I expanded my portfolio and built better services and overall experience. By the end of 2023, I realized that my love for photography was more than just a hobby; it was a calling. I started to consider the idea of turning this passion into a business. I began researching how to set up a photography business, attending webinars, and even reaching out to local photographers for advice. The thought of capturing special moments for others filled me with excitement. Read More>>

Theresa Taylor

Born and raised from Chicago, I packed up all I had, with my car on a hitch and drove 12 hours here to Georgia in 2018. I didn’t have a place to stay or a job yet. My cousin had a friend who had a house in Acworth and I was offered to rent out a room. I put an ad on Craigslist for sewing classes and within a few weeks, that’s how I got most of my students. I worked with a few other local small businesses as a seamstress including bridal, which is what I am currently doing for a new bridal shop in Decatur. I also have the one on one sewing classes that I teach at my apartment in Decatur. Read More>>

Lacey Brackett

Though it wasn’t an easy, quick, or very rewarding decision in the beginning I knew i was doing what “my” calling was. I became very dedicated, the 3rd year of my runway career I was doing 2-3 shows a weekend with no pay being on set from 8-12 hours, which led me to meeting my first agent and signing with my first agency. From there I’ve done so many things and have been blessed enough to receive pay for doing something I love. The blood, sweat, and tears finally became worth it when I was able to be a model for NYFW; from there I was granted more opportunities such as Miami Swim Week, Tampa Swim week, Atlanta Fashion Week, being flown to do photoshoots and everything I worked for became that reality for me. Read More>>

Dakota Pease

Learning new skills can be difficult. It takes a lot of patience with yourself and dedication. I’ve had many dreams about cutting hair during my time in cosmetology school and i would think about angles, elevation, and over direction on my car rides anywhere during that time too. Along with school I worked full time, which spread me pretty thin. Read More>>

Jonathan Allen

Just like everyone else, I’ve had my ups and downs in my journey. One obstacle that I ran into was people boxing me into the run n gun music videos and club scene visuals. I was good at those things but I needed people to know that I could do more. And I got my opportunities to do more by putting in the work and trying new things. Read More>>

Tiffany Moment

My journey as an entrepreneur has truly been an experience of faith, resilience, and community support. I remember the first time I was featured in Voyage Atlanta back in 2022. I was so excited to share about Worthy in God, my faith-based brand focused on self-love and spiritual empowerment. At that time, I was just starting to step fully into my purpose, not knowing the growth, challenges, and transitions that were ahead of me. But no matter what came my way, I leaned on the strength of the Holy Spirit to guide and uplift me. Honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my faith and the support of my family, friends, and church community who continuously push me forward. Read More>>

Lerae Funderburg

Absolutely, I’d love to share my journey with you. It all began when I found myself deeply immersed in the demanding world of law, tirelessly building my practice by day and pursuing entrepreneurial dreams by night. It was an exhilarating time, but as much as I loved the hustle, I started to notice the toll it was taking on my well-being. I was running on fumes, constantly feeling like I was juggling too much, and I knew something had to change. Read More>>

Chapelle Nichole

I was raised by my mother in my grandmother‘s house so I was Grandma’s baby. I’m the oldest out of two from my mother, and I am the fourth oldest out of 12 from my father. I’ve always loved the craft of acting from early childhood. As a kid, I would always reenact things I saw on television or in life and would magnify it and make it funny because I would love to make people laugh. Growing up in school I was too ashamed to join theater or anything like that out of fear that I would get teased by my peers. I remember being very young and auditioning for very popular TV Sitcom and them wanting me for the role but That wasn’t my time, I took a different journey. Read More>>

Parker Bridges

Absolutely! I mean, it was a long and meandering road, for sure. I started in the biochemical pathway at university. My need to break things down and figure out how they worked drew me to it and this trait definitely helps me to this day. I realized after a year, that the entire time I was studying, I had never stopped painting or exploring new media. After a push, I departed the sciences and dove head first into painting, shortly thereafter I got to participate in the Airy Knoll Arts Project alongside some incredibly talented individuals. Read More>>

Jacob Hightower

My path to becoming a media professional has been anything but straightforward, but it’s the twists and turns that have truly shaped who I am today. My first brush with responsibility came at just 16 years old when I became a manager. That early experience taught me valuable lessons in business and leadership. After that, I spent three years managing a pallet assembly floor, where I honed my work ethic and learned the importance of precision and teamwork. I also gained hands-on experience in sandblasting, petroleum construction, and various other roles that required grit and determination. Read More>>

Shamika Hairston

The beauty industry allows me to combine my love for aesthetics with my desire to help others feel their best, making each person’s journey a unique and empowering experience with my brand Eyedentical Glam. Whether it is the versatility of wigs or the instant length and volume provided by hair extensions, I find joy in the intricate process of creating stunning looks. Read More>>

Benga Tribe

I did love a good party and I had the type of freedom Ye describes my senior year so it was lit! I am versatile and my focus has always leaned toward fashion, music and lifestyle. I love to motivate God motivates me! I know the feeling of not thinking it’d go any further and now I want to push it as far past it because you limit yourself by thinking there is a limit. As an artist one of my greatest gifts is my keen observation and being able to detail how I feel, felt and take you along for a ride in my wheels for a few minutes or get you turnt outside, at the gym or the club. Read More>>

Elizabeth Smith

I have a full time corporate job in health technology however StyleLiz is my passion. I am passionate about helping others feel good about themselves and teaching them how to present the best version of themselves via wardrobe styling and beauty. Starting out I was working with men and women to help edit their closets and build a wardrobe that makes them feel more confident. Since then, I have focused more on using my StyleLiz Instagram account to inspire women to feel more confident though wardrobe styling and beauty tips. Read More>>