Portraits of Atlanta

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Atlanta.

Chike Anusiem

Ever since I was little, I’ve had a bright and imaginative personality. Even before I could talk, I found ways to express myself. At just two years old, drawing pictures and building with blocks became my favorite way to share my thoughts with the world. It was like my hands could speak before my words could. Read more>>

Preeti Bhat

I first stumbled upon a breathwork program offered by the Art of Living Foundation 27 years ago, when I was still a student. At that time, I wasn’t searching for anything spiritual. Life already felt complete — I had a loving family, a solid education, and I was a high-performing student. Nothing seemed missing. But during that very first 5-day program, I was amazed. Read more>>

Abigail Keirs Rhee

I spent 20 years in hospitality, working in operations and training with Starwood and Marriott. That time taught me how to manage people, systems, and pressure — and it gave me a love for continuous improvement. My foundation of discipline and resilience goes back even further to my time in the U.S. Read more>>

Jasmine Yates

I’ve been working since I was 16 years old, exploring a variety of industries along the way-retail, sales, call centers, and of course, restaurants. No matter how often I stepped away from the restaurant world, I always found my way back. During my time in the industry, I took on many roles: server, bartender, barista, events, catering, etc. Read more>>

Brittany and Michael Sherer

My Father is 84 years old. He still to this day goes to work every single day. He is the hardest working man I know. 35 years ago he bought some land which was nothing but trees at the time and has turned it into the most beautiful, peaceful place with the most Amazing views. Read more>>

Jordan/Brittanie See/Joseph

We’re Jordan and Brittanie, two friends who met in college and began our roller-skating journey together in 2021. We were inspired to start our journey by the discipline and fast growth we observed in COVID skaters who picked up the hobby during lockdown. When we first started going to skate parks in 2023, we immediately noticed the underrepresentation of roller-skaters. Read more>>

Dr. Carmy Aristor

In 2017, life shifted in a way I could not have anticipated. The company where I worked as a Program Director in New York unexpectedly closed its doors, and with that came a major decision point. Rather than see it as a setback, I chose to take it as an opportunity. Read more>>

Kurt Justice

My story is unique in the sense that I wasn’t considering launching a real estate photography business, actually the farthest thing from my mind. A dear friend and business partner who happens to own his own real estate company often shared the many challenges and the disappointment of the lack of quality of delivering a quality product. Read more>>

Lakeshia Kimes

After spending seven years with a top staffing agency, I made the decision to branch out on my own and launch a boutique consulting firm specializing in healthcare recruitment. My journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t just about career growth, it was about creating a life that worked for me and my family. Read more>>

Killian gribble

I graduated high school, and despite being unsure of the path I was interested in taking, I moved to Athens, Ga to attend University of North Georgia. After 2 years I was still having a hard time finding what I wanted to pursue. I was home on a holiday break + went to see my hair stylist Laci Matteson. Read more>>

Erin Daniels

I started baking and cooking at a very young age. Basically as soon as I could stand on a chair or stool to reach the counter, my grandmother’s had me helping in the kitchen. I love cooking soul filled southern food and baking all sorts of treats. Read more>>

CHARITY afffectionately known as INDNGRL

When I founded this company over 26 years ago, our focus was solely on event and wedding planning. Over the years, our services expanded to include bartending, promotional talent for conventions, festivals, and sporting events, and later—beginning in 2014—staffing for weddings, birthdays, private, and corporate events. Read more>>

John Fine

From Space Dreams to Legislative Leadership: The Journey Behind My Small Business How a Childhood Fascination with Space Inspired a Unique Consulting Venture Ever since I was a child, my eyes were always drawn to the stars. The mysteries of space, the grand dreams of exploration, and the endless possibilities captured my imagination. Read more>>

Lissa Stinson

Metro Modern Clean was born out of both passion and transition. For years, I worked as a Recruiting Coordinator—a role I truly enjoyed. I had the flexibility of working from home even before Covid, and in the quiet moments of my day, I found joy in tidying up, doing laundry, and caring for my space. Read more>>

Zoe Holloway

Ever since I was a child, writing has been my creative outlet and passion. I quickly learned that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to connect with people. Upon graduating from Spelman College and entering the workforce, the art of storytelling continued to be significant in my life, especially in 2020. I was a full-time photographer and had to pivot. Read more>>

Natalie Forte

I’ve been obsessed with food since childhood. As a pre-teen, I was rewarded with an entire peanut butter pie for a good report card. College? I mean, buffets for every meal! It’s no wonder I gained the Freshman 15. Papa John’s Pizza never tasted so good than at 2 a.m. after a long night of chugging Natty Ice. Read more>>

Phimphone (Phim) Gilberry

My story began when my family and I immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1980s as Laotian refugees. I was 11 years old when we arrived, after spending several years in a Thai refugee camp. We were sponsored by a church in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where I spent my pre-teen and teenage years. Read more>>

Christine Boyd-Witherspoon

I’ve always been passionate about investing. I earned my Master’s in Finance, and from early on I made it a priority to save and invest wisely. Over the years I became the person family, friends, and coworkers turned to with questions about money — and I loved teaching others about saving, investing, and building wealth. Read more>>

Alisha Hargett

I spent 31 years in the natural gas industry, 25 with SCANA Energy and 6 with Atlanta Gas Light Company. I was looking to move to the next level in Executive Leadership when I was asked to consider taking an appointed position and being the running mate of someone running for Clerk of State Court in Cobb County. Read more>>

Brie Lieberman

Hi! My name is Brie Lieberman. Here is my story: How I Started: I am originally from Berwick, Louisiana – a very small southern town where community means everything. I was raised by my mother, Michelle, my father, Todd, my younger brother, Tyler, and my grandparents, Janie and Nolan (who lived right next door to us). Read more>>

Nicole Jones-Harper

My journey has been anything but traditional, but every step has shaped who I am and the work I do today. I began my career in broadcasting, working as a technical director, producer, and reporter even shooting sports coverage. That experience taught me the power of storytelling and communication, as well as how media can inform, inspire, and create change. Read more>>

KENNY PYUN

KLEEP was founded in 2016 when Kenny, who had been working as a design director at an apparel company, and Joon, who was a sales manager, came together with a shared vision to create a brand with a new concept. Since then, we have been collaborating with numerous retailers and chain stores across the United States. Read more>>

Eldar Karen

I began working in girls and tween apparel almost 8 years ago. I was looking to expand my business when I went out to lunch with my friend, Stefani Silverman, who had worked in corporate aesthetiques for many years. Over lunch we discussed how skincare and fashion really go hand-in-hand. Read more>>

Hanna Nguyen

We started our first built out salon Trio Nails down at Tucker, Ga back in 2019. The process to construct the salon was to be completely by Spring of 2020. Covid happened it moved our first Opening to October 2020. Trio Nails was established by three late 30s women. The business grew within 2 years to over 10 techs. Read more>>

A. R. Cooper

Art in the Paint was founded in 2020 after I returned from doing coaches clinics and coaching in Europe, South America and Africa. I felt the indignity of art being weaponized against people at sights like Stone Mountain and decided to use art and culture to be instruments of positive change in my neighborhood. So we painted a basketball court…. Read more>>

Sabrina Evans

My journey started long before Thee Social Maven had a name. I have always been the creative one, the person people called when they needed something designed, organized, or branded. But for years, I was behind the scenes, helping others build their dreams while quietly ignoring my own. Read more>>

Kim Cullen

From the time I was a little tow-haired beach girl in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, I saw the world through prisms of color and design. When I reflect on my life, I see a tapestry of life’s joys and seasons of deep darkness. It is our flaws that add depth, beauty and purpose to our lives. My own whimsical style deeply influences my jewelry design. Read more>>

Blake Hebert

I began drawing since I was five years old; I was mainly captivated by animation motion pictures such as Disney movies,looney tunes,etc. Read more>>

Jim Colton

My first exposure to hypnotherapy was back in 1976. My father-in-law was a very talented amateur hypnotist, and I was very impressed with how he helped people. I never thought that it was something that I could do, although it certainly intrigued me. Fast forwarding a decades to 2013, I found myself in a dead-end career. Read more>>

Yalanda Thompson

My story is a simple one. I am a lover of cigars and always appreciated the elegance of using a cigar pick during my cigar experience. On my last purchase of a cigar pick in May of 2025, I realized I was not satisfied with the quality of the products I purchased and decided to start a business making the products myself. Read more>>

Clarisa Thompson

I wasn’t a fashion girl growing up. I couldn’t dress to save my life — I didn’t know how to put outfits together, and I definitely didn’t have the money to keep up with all the latest looks. But I wanted to show up. I wanted to feel cute, confident, and pulled together. And for me, socks became that one thing that did it. Read more>>

Roscoe Sushii

I started producing & making beats & remixes when I was 12 learning the ins & outs of FL studio remixing different songs and putting them on YouTube & SoundCloud then putting them on dubsmash where my career really started to take off I was the first to utilize the platform in that way. I’m also A DJ,Content Creator & Background Dancer Read more>>

Sofia Khan

Our story began when Dr. Asad Mehdi and Dr. Sofia Khan recognized a significant clinical gap in how mental health illnesses were being addressed. At the time, individuals experiencing mental health challenges often had limited options for care — the emergency department or their primary care provider. Unfortunately, neither setting was designed to meet the complex emotional and psychiatric needs of these patients. Read more>>

Richard Shaw

I am Cuban American and I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, in a family that taught me the values of hard work, resilience, and faith. Life wasn’t always easy—I faced my share of setbacks, including many that could have stopped me in my tracks. I eventually moved forward in my career by joining AirPros USA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Read more>>

Sydney Nieveen

I started with a love to travel. My family started going on yearly family vacations to Riviera Maya Mexico when I was 12 and that sparked my obsession for travel and experiencing new things. Mexico is where I have most of my travel experience, but as I graduated college and started my career, I’ve visited so many more places that have been on my list. Read more>>