Through the work we do we are incredibly fortunate to find and learn about so many incredible local artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. Their stories, the lessons that they’ve learned and the legacies they are building inspire us beyond words. Below, we have highlighted a few of those amazing folks and we hope you’ll check out their stories and their responses to some of the fundamental questions the help form the foundation of our lives and careers.
Raven McCree
Honestly, I think it was when I was in Kindergarten, I had gotten in trouble and was sent to the Principal’s office. While I was awaiting my Principal’s arrival and I remember being so scared and nervous but knowing that I was going to state my case, stand up for myself, and explain the way my teacher had made me feel in the moment. Read more>>
Jasmine Lane
My earliest feeling of true power came with a simple, profound realization: I have limitless power within me. It’s the kind of power that comes from a deeper place—from a connection to my spirituality, a dive into the metaphysical, and an intentional practice of manifesting the reality I desire. Read more>>
Aisha Thompson
The earliest memory I have feeling powerful was at the age of 6. My mother and I were living in Belgium. And she took me to a museum. The Museum highlighted African Culture and showed me a picture that was on the wall of the museum, Her name was Kimpa Vita, and she was beautiful. Read more>>
Jaylin Brokemond
The earliest memory of feeling powerful is when I went in the booth and I switched my style for making love songs to make drill , hard songs with more energy Read more>>
Skyla Jenkins
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was the first time I picked up a camera and realized I could capture people the way I saw them—full of beauty, emotion, and strength. That moment showed me how creativity can shift perspectives. Read more>>
Thomas Feliz
Through trials and tribulations I had perfected the art of losing. So when I experienced my first moments of victory and success with some of my past endeavors such as car dealerships I started or being in the music industry, the feeling of power can be overwhelming. Read more>>
Nick Stewart
One of the greatest moments of my creative journey began when I was young, when I was a kid I freely said and tried stuff that people around me would encourage and be entertained by. Being the family entertainer came easily to me and it paved the way for various paths within the performing and fine arts world that I’ve been immersed in ever since. Read more>>
MARLENA WILLIAMS
⸻ My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when my mom told me, “If you ever want to find something, go look in a book—the answer is there.” At a very young age, I put that advice into practice. I remember wanting to log into the computer but not knowing the password. Read more>>
Peytan Gibbs
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I was in elementary school. With all of my awards and achievements I just felt like I was on top of the world. All of my teachers loved me. Being that I was the teachers favorite I was always put in leadership positions because I was so mature at a very young age! Read more>>
Laura Louis
I would regret not continuing to spread awareness about the importance of marriage and the restoration and healing needed to preserve it. In the black community, there are fewer marriages, and a lot of the ones that come to fruition do not last. My goal is to educate black people on mental health and the need for counseling in our families and marriages. Read more>>
Antonio Halfacre
I’ll regret not going all the way with my vision if I ever let fear, doubt, or comfort stop me from reaching my full potential. My biggest regret would be not building wealth and companies that last, especially for my son Ezra. I want him to inherit not just assets, but a legacy of discipline, vision, and strength. That’s what keeps me pushing every day Read more>>
Pablo Filmz
Not pushing myself to learn how to film and edit videos earlier in my career. Read more>>
Lydia Troupe
Not going after my dreams and helping people find the courage to be themselves in world that’s the most polar, and negative I believe it has ever been in a long time. I believe when people stay true to who they are they bring a light to people that’s contagious. Read more>>
Janai Buck
No regrets but what I will say is NOW…. Now I’m doing any and everything my mind tell me to. Read more>>
Jaylia Davis
Thinking that everyone should think like me or be like me when everyone is themselves no one is going to move how I move no one is going to make the decisions how I would and that’s the beauty of life. Of course this is me thinking this at age of 12 through 14. Read more>>
Nadi’
I used to think that good things would always happen to good people, that if you put good out in the world, the universe would reward you. In a perfect world, that might be true, but the world isn’t perfect. Nothing is black and white, and good people don’t always win. In fact, I know many good people who face the hardest struggles in life. Read more>>
Smokey Jones
I think at the end of the day, we call ourselves a country band, the music has to be reminiscent of traditional country music and pay respect to those who founded the genre. Read more>>
Kerri Bland
I will not sell my soul for a dollar. Read more>>
Martin Kiefer
To look inward and draw upon the strength, perseverance, and knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career, recognizing that I have the ability to succeed independently without needing to work under someone else’s ownership. Read more>>
Jamal Greene
“One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about our customers is just how diverse their stories and backgrounds are—and how much that impacts their goals, motivations, and even the way they engage with us. Early on, I thought most customers would have similar needs, but I’ve come to realize that each client brings a unique journey. Read more>>
Sarah Gearhart
When I first started Gearhart Design Co., I tried so hard to fit the mold of what I thought a business owner should be: professional, polished, perfectly put together, like I had it all figured out. I thought that was the only way people would take me seriously. Read more>>
Rayvene Whatley
The most surprising thing is how many people struggle to put words to what they’re actually feeling. Read more>>
Jeffrey Tarver
I often find myself in this place when I’m blessed by God. I oftentimes don’t feel deserving of his blessings, but that’s what makes Him so good. Read more>>
Bishop Kevin Foreman
Out of the gate! The joke is that I came out of my mother’s womb with a bible and a briefcase. I’ve already been a mixture of what the bible calls a “king & priest” meaning both spiritual & successful. Often, I’ve had to make great sacrifices to ensure the furtherance of both ministry and business. I learned so many lessons. Read more>>
Joe Salome
Over the summer I celebrated my 45th birthday.. the Major league baseball All-Star game was also here in Atlanta at Truist Park. So my wife and daughter played off that theme and came up with 45 reasons I am there All-Star They drew up a really cool logo and wrote down 45 reasons. Read more>>
Francisco Da Silva ‘Mestre Fran’
For me, it was two months ago when Instituto Mestre Fran, our nonprofit Capoeira center in Londrina, Brazil, reopened its doors after being closed during the pandemic. Seeing the space come alive again with youth, adults, and seniors training, and connecting through Capoeira completely free of charge was a powerful reminder of why we do this work. That moment was pure joy. Read more>>
Gregory Johnson
Whenever i felt down, art was always there for me. When I created something amazing, I enjoyed the hype and the love I would receive from people when they would see my work. Even until this day I enjoy seeing people smile and get excited about my art.😊 Most importantly I love the way Art makes me feel about myself. Read more>>
Emanuel Lynch
Smart people need to focus on themselves and not on others. I believe thats the biggest downfall for a lot of people. Why are you worrying about others? I feel like social media makes it difficult because we, as humans, have a tendency to boast and brag about our accomplishments. Smart, successful people find a way to block negativity out and stay humble. Read more>>
Darian Bishop
I’d say my biggest teacher right now is my daughter. Being a mom challenges me in ways that no stage, classroom, or salon ever has— it teaches me patience, understanding, and how to approach life from a different perspective. I don’t always get it perfect, but every moment is a learning opportunity, and I try to show up better than I did yesterday. Read more>>
Tiarra Shaw
Interestingly, I find myself becoming both the teacher and the student of my own journey. This year, I endured a profound with my mother’s passing from ovarian cancer. Grief has proven to be an uncharted terrain, one with no manual to consult, no precise language to capture its enormity. Read more>>
Sterling Fleming
Gods word. walking with Christ has giving me a structure on how to live my life that is pleasing to God something that the world/media hasn’t given. Choosing to renew my mind each day, displaying the 9 fruits of the spirit has been helpful in my journey Read more>>
Anndrina Butler
I’m learning from God right now. I’m heavy in the word how to navigate life standing on Gods word. It has giving me a different confidence when facing adversity! Read more>>
Jeremy Beckelhimer
I’d say I’m learning from taking life one step and one day at a time, embracing things as they happen and not trying to assume or expect anything from it. Rather just allowing life to unfold and take it in stride as life itself goes on. Learning to be in control of only what I can control, which isn’t a lot! Read more>>
Timmy Turn Up
if you are forced into working for free or risk being incarcerated is that not a form of slavery , mind you the government has money if they want to give her some money during 50/50 custody to even the playing field shouldn’t they use some of those tax dollars they are so quick to send to other countries? Read more>>
Josue Esteves
I admire my parents the most. They have given me the best example of strength, perseverance, and dedication. I admire them because, despite the difficulties, they always kept going, focusing on raising us in the best way possible so that we would become good people, with solid values and clear aspirations. Read more>>
Darren Cumberbatch
Admiring Character Over Power When asked whom I admire, my answer isn’t a celebrity, a CEO, or a figure of power. It’s Francis Gordon—a man I call “Pops.” He raised me and shaped the values I live by today. Read more>>
jaha Knight
Prince. I didn’t know him personally, so what I admire isn’t celebrity—it’s the character you can read in his creative choices: relentless discipline, world-building, and a refusal to dilute the work. He treated making like a sacred daily practice, and that’s my North Star. Read more>>
Trey Shaw
Kendrick Lamar. The Mr. Morale and The Big Steppers album saved my life when I was in my darkest moments. Read more>>
MacFour
Since we are brothers we hear each other out about anything that may help us or be engaging for us. If one doesn’t have an idea the other one probably does. We simply borrow inspiration from each other. Read more>>
Corisa Goodman
Absolutely — without hesitation. I would hire me because I embody resilience, leadership, and results. My journey hasn’t been easy: I’ve worked multiple jobs, built businesses from the ground up, and turned setbacks into setups. Those experiences gave me discipline, vision, and an unstoppable work ethic. I don’t just talk about success — I create it. Read more>>
Alexia Ford
Without a doubt, I’d hire me. I’ve spent almost 30 years building not just skills, but a passion for transforming spaces and lives. What started as a hobby grew into a true passion and eventually became my career. Read more>>
Billboard Chaz
Without question, I’d hire me in a heartbeat. And not just because of the talent. I’d hire me because I solve problems most people don’t even realize they have. I bring clarity where there’s chaos, vision where there’s noise, and execution that doesn’t miss. I’ve built Spit Laugh Media on one simple but rare principle: what we create must move people. Read more>>
