Every day we have a choice. We can support an up and coming podcaster, try a new family-run restaurant, join a boutique gym started by a local fitness champ or we could keep giving away our money to the handful of giants who already control so much of our commerce. Our daily decisions impact the kind world we live in; if we want a world where small businesses are growing and artists and creatives are thriving then we should support them with our time, money and attention. We’re proud to highlight inspiring creatives and entrepreneurs each week in Hidden Gems series. Check out some of our latest local gem features below.
Margaret Flock
Growing up, I was an avid cross country runner, all the way from 2nd -11th grade. In high school, I was one of the top runners in my division, though I was getting burnt out from constantly pushing my body past my limit. I started to feel like exercise should be fun and that we shouldn’t have to force ourselves to do it. I stopped running and finally stepped into my first yoga class. I was hooked from the start. I found a new way to strengthen the body and calm the mind by synching the breath to the movements. Now I see exercise as a fusion of the body, the mind, and the spirit. Read more>>
Demetrice Dixon
I did that for 4 years before moving into working behind the scenes of music videos. That lasted for a few years. In 2008, I decides to go full throttle into film and television. After only 6 shorts month, work came to an abrubt halt, causing me to return to the salon with NO CLIENTS. all of my clients had found other service providers. That’s when i started rebuilding. I immedeitly knew it was time to start a real business strategy, if I was going to survive business ownership AND work in film and tv. For 4 years i stategized , mastered my systems and did BOTH. After 4 short years, I was ready to go back into film and tv full time. I landed my first gig back as a background hairstylist at Tyler Perry Studios. The rest was history (refer to resume) Read more>>
Antoine Davenport
Aromex Air is a Black Owned aromatherapy company. We are a husband and wife team. We are both certified Aromatherapist and scent marketing consultants. We are the first and only Black Owned company to manufacture wall plug ins for your home and the only company to offer Hotel Scents in the plug-in form. We have made history by impacting the home fragrance industry with our innovation. We have also created the world’s first digital air freshner Vending Machine allowing customers to purchase our air freshner sprays on the go. Read more>>
Indie Johnson
The Harvest Cabaret has had the pleasure of working with Yes, Please Book Store and Care Space for our 2024 celebration show back in GA after a travel stint in Dallas, TX, and is now at the Multi-Use Radical People’s Hall (The MURPH) in the West End of Atlanta for our 2025 show year. The Murph is a space cultivating change in the community and generating resources to build a better future. We are excited to partner with these organizations for future cabaret experiences like burlesque dinner parties and karaoke nights. Read more>>
Miracle Nmeri Aye-Addo
I had no idea how quickly things would grow. We’re not even at a year and the business has been greatly successful. What started as a passion became a thriving business, with doors opening I never could have imagined. From collaborating with brands and capturing beautiful proposals and weddings, to working with talented creatives and covering major events—each opportunity has been a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Read more>>
Porsha Deshannon
What started as a way to share my thoughts and connect with like-minded people quickly grew into something much bigger. Over time, I built a community of followers who appreciated my honest takes, deep dives, and entertaining commentary. Now, I create content full-time, blending my love for storytelling with trending topics to keep my audience informed and engaged. It’s been an exciting journey, and I’m proud to have turned my passion into a platform where people can trust the information they’re getting — and have a little fun along the way. Read more>>
Radio Brazil Atlanta
We founded Rádio Brazil Atlanta five years ago, during the pandemic, with the goal of bringing the Brazilian community closer together and providing essential information in Portuguese. Many Brazilians in the region faced challenges due to a lack of English proficiency or time to keep up with local news. That’s why we started translating and broadcasting relevant information, helping our community stay informed. Read more>>
STERLIN6
Growing up in the small city of Athens, TN, I was always drawn to self-expression. As the second youngest of five, I wasn’t necessarily exposed to a lot of formal art, but I had an innate curiosity to explore different forms of creativity. Art became a way for me to process the world around me, understand my emotions, and tell stories that resonate on a deeper level with others. Read more>>
Katelynn King
My grandfather gifted me 2 guitars when I was around 15 but I unfortunately ended up selling the guitars for a dumb reason when I was 18. I lost touch with music for some years but I’m now 23, and I’ve been in the studio making music for a few months now. I’m getting my voice back and I’ve got 3 guitars now so I’m quickly learning it again. I’ve got 2 singles out now and I’ve got an album coming out 5/5/25. Read more>>
Jerry White
SIRenity Today is more than just a blog, it’s a platform for real conversations, a space where Black men can feel seen, heard, and supported no matter if they’re single, married, a parent, etc. I share personal stories, resources, and tools that help navigate the complexities of mental health while also celebrating the joys of family, self-improvement, and everyday moments of peace. Breaking the stigma around mental health in the Black community is a mission I hold close to my heart, and I use my platform to encourage men to embrace healing and self-discovery. Read more>>
Kadesha “Kay” McCastle
Is the journey really a journey if there aren’t any hiccups along the way? As my “career” direction was not as conventional or direct as society may paint it to be, I’m grateful for the support my parents and family/friends shared during my journey and continuous journey. A decade in this industry as a young minority woman, I’ve been underestimated, unappreciated and underpaid. I’ve overcome industry strikes, stalls from covid, and personal struggles . I recently lost my father in December 2022 and honestly that has been a great struggle for me. Losing him at the peak of my career was challenging and still is. There’s no guide to surviving this thing called life, we are writing our stories everyday. Read more>>
Andrea Bowman
Over the years, we’ve built a reputation for delivering great results while staying focused on protecting our talent from scams and ensuring transparency through signed agreements. We provide services in marketing, branding, promo, negotiations, and strategic planning. Our agency’s growth is built on a commitment to integrity, creativity, and getting results that make a real impact for the talent we represent. Today, we continue to evolve, offering both management services and opportunities for independent bookings, helping our clients thrive across industries. Read more>>
Michael Woodward
Funding was the biggest obstacle. The road has been a long one. Initially, the issue was acquiring funding in the business name. Many times I had to utilize my personal credit to complete renovation work and purchase properties. Putting business purchases on my personal credit kept my scores down and prevented me from getting financing. However, eventually, things changed and I began to build business credit. Read more>>
Liana Lewis
In 2022, I began my apprenticeship almost immediately once arriving to Atlanta. I was an apprentice for 2 years, honing in on my style and developing my craft. After two years, two tattoo shops, and whole lot of learning; I am now in a beautiful tattoo suite in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. My style of choice is custom pop culture designs, new school characters, and anything I can add some color to! Read more>>
Kathy Clabby
So, I entered Corporate America. Gosh, looking back at that – I was so green. I had no idea what I was doing. But I learned. I put in the work, grew, moved up, gained seniority, and finally felt like I’d made a place for myself in the world. Honestly, I never expected to leave. I spent 27+ years in a high stress, high pressure environment, building a career in sales, marketing, business strategy, and leadership development – doing everything from training staff to managing operations. For a lot of years, I lived on the road and out of a suitcase, managing teams of people and a packed schedule across multiple time zones. Read more>>
Amira Barr
It has definitely not been a smooth road lol — family problems, friendship problems, relationship problems… all the normal obstacles we face in life. I realized early on though that I’m here for a purpose. That belief has kept me going. No matter how hard things have gotten or how many times I’ve had to adjust the journey, the goal has always stayed the same. I never gave up on me. Read more>>
Alexis Jones
In the midst of figuring out what I wanted out of life post graduation I felt I needed to be more intentional. So, I decided to plan out my days and make measurable/attainable goals to reach. I realized how beneficial it would be to provide other women with tools to help them navigate the stressors of life. I’ve always been into graphic design, so I created the “That Girl Daily Routine” and put myself out there for the first time as an entrepreneur. Read more>>
Josh Powers
I immediately fell in love with the idea of creating moments—putting a smile on someone’s face or making them dance from across the room. I took every opportunity that came my way: pregames, pool parties, frat parties, formals—you name it, I did it. And I did it for free because all I wanted was the exposure. I quickly worked my way into the nightlife scene at Georgia Southern University, performing at every club, venue, and bar I could. Read more>>
Tietra Jones
It’s a privilege to remind them that, despite the adjustment to their new responsibilities, they’re doing a great job. I truly believe my background as a Postpartum Nurse, combined with my love for teaching and nurturing new families, is what led me to this path. While I’ve been teaching breastfeeding in various capacities for 20 years, I officially took the leap to become an IBCLC three years ago — and I absolutely love it! Sometimes I wonder why it took me so long to get here, but then I remember that God’s timing is always perfect. Read more>>
A’Star Flake-Johnson
Welcome to Twinkle Skin Aesthetics where all the glowy magic happens at Twinkletown. We are conveniently located in DeKalb County. I am A’Star the visionary and creator of Twinkle Skin Aesthetics. I am born and raised in Decatur, Ga. It has always been my dream to own a thriving business in my hometown and help serve my community. As a person of color, we weren’t always taught the best way to treat our skin. So, I started this personal journey and mission to help people with the skin like mine and ALL SKIN achieve their best glow with proper education and knowledge. Read more>>
Ja’Darius Winslow
My mother played a huge role in my career we started a label together known as 61Ent. I’ve always visited Atlanta and made connections because I felt the love there they show genuine support to artists. A few years later I met Ceodollasign at Aces & he took a liking in to my music & we partnered up. My first roll out I was in the same rooms as big name artists like Future & Trouble. If an artist you should get next to a guy like him he works very hard for his clients. Hard work and consistent got me where I am today I know more people than I ever have and more people know me. I’m grateful for it all I Thank God for keeping me in his favor Read more>>
Kia Daniel
I’m constantly learning and always looking to improve my looks and diversify my clientele. Doing makeup is truly a joy and something that I look forward to doing. For me, it’s very personal and I really aim to enhance my client’s beauty and have them feel pretty! My favorite look is a soft glam because she is THAT girl! However, my favorite part of a makeup look is the brow! I believe they really set the tone for the entire look, and I happily take my time to get them just right. Read more>>
Henry & Crystal Pippins
Our focus, for the last 25 years has been to train, support, and help people to have the Life Skills that are necessary and the resources needed to live a healthy and prosperous spiritual life. After relocating to the Atlanta Metro area, we purchased a property in Downtown Douglasville, with plans to restart our Life Skills Ministry in Douglasville, Ga. Soon after our relocation, COVID-19 broke out, so we did not have the opportunity to have much use out of our location. However, we did some online training and several workshops. Now, 25 years after starting this organization we have restarted our life skills training, community services, and various training programs to serve the Douglasville community & metro-Atlanta area. Read more>>
Makelia Wingard
I debut my first play in front of 930 people on 01/28/2012 at The Crosby Theatre in Troy AL. Since then, I have written, directed, and produced four more plays. My current play Grief Grudges and Guilt is my first play in seven years, and it has taken off since first debuting in November 2024. I use social media, News Station Interviews, and Church visits to get my name out and to get the word out about my productions. I travel to different cities and states, and I visit churches and news stations to tell people who I am and what my production is about. I’ve gotten where I am today because my belief and faith in God and my determination to be a successful playwright worldwide. Read more>>
Mel Briscoe
It hasn’t been smooth. I must deal with my health considerations and pace myself when I want to go full tilt. I still work remotely for my previous job and need the financial support that that provides. My shop supports itself, but all of the extra profit goes to adding more inventory. I have been blessed to discover a few helpful mentors along the way, but I have had to do a lot of research and networking myself to build things from scratch. It’s a lot of physical and mental labor. No one teaches you how to be a bookstore owner, and you have to feel your way along. Read more>>
Richard Ruiz
It wasn’t long before Richard found his niche. At the age of 12, he picked up two skills that would stay with him throughout his life: DJing and cutting hair. Both of these passions became more than just hobbies; they turned into lifelong careers. Self-taught in both fields, Richard quickly became known among friends and family for his skills behind the turntables and clippers. Little did he know, these seemingly small talents would blossom into major career avenues. Read more>>
Ricardo Taylor
At KDB: The Culinary Experience, my work is all about creating unforgettable dining moments that go beyond just a meal. As a chef and owner, I specialize in crafting unique, immersive culinary experiences that blend bold flavors, artistry, and storytelling. Whether it’s a private dinner, catering event, or interactive cooking experience, my goal is to make every bite meaningful and every event memorable. Read more>>
Chantale Nicolas
That’s when everything changed. I surrendered to God and began my pursuit of purpose—a journey that led me to growth, healing, and self-discovery. In 2019, I started exploring different businesses, facing my fears, closing old chapters, and making room for the life I was meant to live. I poured into myself the same love and encouragement I had spent years giving away, finally recognizing my own worth. Read more>>
Simone Middlebrooks And Pastor Cedric Halbert
People often open up to me about their struggles, and my goal is to guide you toward a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and joy without judgment. You are enough, and you matter, and I’m here to support you on your journey to healing and wholeness. I am a Author of two books Preparing you for your purpose partner and Standing for your marriage God way. Divine Connection was birth out of Divine Purpose. Together with my Co-host Pastor Cedric, my valued friend and spiritual partner, we hope to empower men and women in our community to embrace their divine role as leaders in their families and communities. Read more>>
Shanika Thomas
From a young age, I’ve always felt a calling to help others. While I wasn’t exactly sure what form that help would take, I knew that serving others was my purpose. Interestingly enough, I initially thought I wanted to become a plastic surgeon. I imagined transforming lives by helping people feel better about themselves and boosting their confidence. But as I grew and matured, my path took a different direction. Read more>>
Makyah Hester
I am a hairstylist. I’m self employed and the only employee working for me. I do a plethora of hairstyles but I just specialize in braids or weaves. I’m known for my talented self taught hands for braiding! What sets me apart from others are that I’m willing to go above and beyond and always wanting to try something new ! Something I’m most proud of is actually building a clientele and my own website. I want readers to know that not only am I good at it but I love what I do !!! I don’t do it for the money I do it because I love making people feel good about themselves. What better way to do that than get your hair done ! Read more>>
HAKIIM HERRING
My path into the industry wasn’t a straight line. I began with a 9 to 5 job, but the desire for more—a desire to build something of my own and create lasting change—drove me to take the leap into real estate at 21 years old. I saw real estate as a tool to create financial freedom, not just for myself, but for those around me. Over the years, I built a successful real estate brokerage, The Herring Group, and an international vacation rental business, but my work didn’t stop there. I became passionate about mentoring others, teaching them how to use real estate as a means of building generational wealth. Read more>>
Nuri And Navali Barnes
Of course, the journey hasn’t always been easy. We’ve faced challenges like long audition processes, tough competition, and moments when things didn’t go as planned. There were times we got so close to booking a role, only for it to go to someone else. But instead of letting setbacks bring us down, they’ve only motivated us to work harder and stay focused on our goals. Read more>>
Natasha Jones
I took advantage of this and started an Occupational Health Onsite Clinic to provide support for safety sensitive industries. As I began to serve this community more, it became apparent with my nursing background safety sensitive employees need access to healthcare related services. Furthermore, I became an advocate as the CEO of HD Screening and Laboratory and as the Vice President of Mental Health and Wellness at the African American Women in Trucking Association. Read more>>
Lee Pratt
Sitting beneath a towering tree, the simple act of feeling the wind on my face stirred something deep inside me. I recommitted myself to observing the cycles of life—the falling of leaves, the return of spring, the resilience of the earth after a storm. In these moments, loss is no longer a solitary burden but part of a greater, universal rhythm.I began exploring teachings to intertwine these fields, guiding people to engage with nature not just as a setting, but as a presence—a healing force. Read more>>
Da’Shawn Catron
Another challenge was navigating the publishing process. As a young author, I had to learn a lot about how to bring a book to life—from writing and editing to marketing and getting it into the hands of readers. There were moments of doubt and frustration, but I kept pushing forward because I believed in my message. Read more>>
Trinity Horne
After graduating high school in 2018, I initially planned to join the military but chose to pursue college instead. However, my path wasn’t straightforward—I found myself going back and forth with school, uncertain about my direction. In 2021, I reconsidered enlisting, but life had other plans. That year, I was diagnosed with Lupus—a challenge that reshaped my perspective on my future. (Briefly explain how Lupus impacted you.) Read more>>
Gabrielle Uwadileke
Filming and editing had always been something I loved, so I knew I would eventually return. After graduating high school in 2024, I decided to fully commit to my social media and content creation journey as I transitioned into college. I started by documenting my final moments in high school and seamlessly continued as I began my college experience. Since then, I’ve been consistently creating content across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, sharing my journey and passions with my growing audience. Read more>>
Amber Young
It has not been a smooth road. I believe our life experiences are never linear. We all go through our own ups and our own downs. But, God has always pulled me through me some of my lowest times. It is also extremely important to have a support system in your life. I did not move to Atlanta with any friends or family, so there were many times I felt lonely, but never for very long. As time went by, I met friends that made living in Atlanta easier to navigate. Read more>>
Emilie Scalise
There are so many murals on our walls just because I had an idea and a paint brush. I have progressed in my art, from random designs to healing in art, and that process has been a very long and confusing road. My biggest goal in life is; “through art on the body and of the body, I want to empower people to be themselves and be proud of what they have become.” This is what I call my art elevator pitch, and it will ring true in everything I create. The world is hard enough sometimes, and knowing that we as people are art and can be there for others with what we can see and do is an incredible gift that I hope to continue to share with the world for as long as I can. Read more>>
Tierra Blue
In addition, to the position I do operate (2) businesses, Caress Her Hair which a hair extension brand. “Caress Her Hair is the brand that has been exclusively founded by an Armed Forces Veteran. The purpose of the company is to offer quality virgin hair extensions and various accessories to accommodate any nationality with any texture type hair. The quality has been ensured to endure as long as 6 months; however and can most certainly last a long time to years after the fact, with no shedding and no tangling. Caress Her Hair has very affordable pricing that varies by length and texture.” Read more>>
Kennedy Lucas Patterson
The Lucas Tribune is more than just a media platform; it is a deliberate space for critical discourse, cultural exploration, and intellectual engagement. As a digital publication, we specialize in nuanced storytelling that bridges the gap between information and insight. Our content spans investigative journalism, cultural critique, and creative features, all crafted with a commitment to depth, integrity, and cultural resonance. Read more>>
Carl Gilliard
I am a professional actor. I see myself as a Producer who also acts. My specialty is that of a connector. My superpower is that I connect people. My network is diverse and large and I empathically discern who would likely work well together in an artistic or business environment. Read more>>
Andrea Rodriguez
A few years ago, I found myself dreaming—perhaps even obsessing—about owning a cabin in North Georgia. I envisioned a place to escape the chaos, reconnect with nature, and channel my creativity into something real and tangible. Then, in January 2020, the perfect cabin seemed to appear at just the right moment. We closed the purchase, filled with excitement and anticipation, but just a couple of months later, the world came to a screeching halt. The pandemic hit, and we were suddenly faced with an unknown, terrifying reality. For a moment, we questioned everything—had we made a terrible mistake? In that instant, we felt lost, adrift in a world that was spinning into uncertainty. Read more>>
Austin Quinn
My story isn’t unique in that it both starts & continues with God. I wouldn’t be who or where i am today without God, so it’s important to me to include within my story. For as long as I could remember the world was always so colorful to me. This black & white way to go about thinking, feeling, speaking, creating etc… was always so confusing to me. That internal/external frustration in trying to connect with the world more positively, alongside the inherent desire to bring life to things that have yet to be seen or needs more light etc… laid the stone for the path i’m walking. Recently i’ve moved back into America from London to my new location in ATL . I’m doing my best to continue to help aid/elevate the environment + it’s people via Holistic therapy in healthcare & Direction/Photography in the artistic world. Read more>>
Willie “Albert” Loman III
During that process I needed to figure out what I was going to do, Iowkey always sat on a talent of cooking. So When the pandemic happen I had time to tap into it Started selling plates hand delivering them myself. in LA. which quickly grew to catering small dinners. and kitchen take overs partnering with other chefs I locked in. But never gave up my dream of becoming an actor. Read more>>
Panama Mint
I’ve taking on ambitious projects with faith and a shoestring budget, because everything is on me. I have along the way been blessed to get favor from a few industry producers I’m working now with some platinum producers, They’ve believed in me and validated that this is my path. I haven’t got the notoriety or public recognition that comes with music, I have however created a catalogue of a couple hundred songs, almost all of which I’ve recorded at PatchWerk, My reward comes from being blessed to do what I love without any restraints besides the restraint of funds which would allow me to create even more. Read more>>
Ashley Taylor
I’ve always been passionate about sports and movement. I was a competitive swimmer and cross-country runner through high school, then ran D1 cross country and track at Western Carolina University, where I majored in Athletic Training. During that time, I worked with various sports teams—track, football, swimming, soccer, lacrosse, and more—which deepened my understanding of injury prevention and rehab. Read more>>
Isabella Robinson
Beyond travel, my mission has always been rooted in service. I believe in using my platform for impact, whether through monthly donations to the Texas Innocence Project, which provides legal services to the wrongfully incarcerated, or funding the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emergency Assistance Fund, which once supported me during my undergraduate years. As a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., I’ve also been hands-on in initiatives like Operation Big Bookbag, donating school supplies, participating in the St. Jude Walk, and volunteering at local food banks. Read more>>
Shanti Sylvester
Starting a business from the ground up, especially as a self-funded entrepreneur, has come with challenges, from securing resources to building brand awareness in a competitive industry. However, my dedication to my vision, along with the incredible support from my community, has fueled my journey. Since launching, Mode718 has gained momentum, forming partnerships with artisans and manufacturers worldwide, collaborating with creatives, and earning recognition in the fashion space. Read more>>
