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.

Michael Chanin

I grew up in Macon and, from a young age, I was taught the importance of putting in the work. My grandparents owned a clothing store on Cherry St. in Macon called Stephen’s and seeing the hard work they put into that store everyday had a great impression on me. Read more>>

Ronnie Lacy Jr

Firstly, thank you for recognizing our story. It all began with one small word that carried a big weight — no. That single word became the spark behind an old-fashioned tug-of-war between old-school tradition and new-school luxury. Facilitating cross-country migrations isn’t new. Read more>>

Cenobia Hilton

I started my creative journey back in 2006 as a graphic designer, creating handmade greeting cards and logos. What began as a passion for design soon evolved into a full-service creative outlet — from flyers and branding to marketing materials for small businesses. During the pandemic, I found myself wanting to stay productive and keep my family well-fed. Read more>>

Heath Jones

I have been a music teacher for 30 years. The last 10 of those years has been teaching music production and technology to middle school students. I also have two kids of my own. When my daughter began kindergarten, her elementary school was very close to the school where taught at the time. So she would ride to and from school with me every day. Read more>>

Ellen Andrades

The creation of ‘Ells In Motion’ wasn’t just about workouts or wellness; it was about movement in every sense of the word. At the time, I was on a personal journey of transformation; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Fitness became my outlet, my therapy, and my reminder that progress is a lifestyle, not a destination. Read more>>

Joseph Isaac

I grew up surrounded by jewelry — my parents owned stores in the U.S. Virgin Islands, so from an early age I was around gold, diamonds, and craftsmanship. After graduating high school, I decided to follow that path instead of going to college. Read more>>

Courtney Lott

My Story – Courtney Lott, Founder of Faithful Adoption Consultants My name is Courtney Lott, and I founded Faithful Adoption Consultants back in September of 2008 — but really, the story started a little before that, when my husband and I adopted our first child. That experience completely changed our lives. Read more>>

Tiffany Jacobs

So, my story is pretty different from most! I am now a training and working professional dancer in Atlanta, Georgia, but it was a journey getting here. I was placed in a dance program at the age of four but that was pretty short-lived and I don’t remember most of it. Read more>>

Brenda Howard

I’m Brenda Howard — born and raised in Oakland, California, and a performer through and through. For the past 20 years, I’ve been living and breathing theatre and film, bringing stories to life from Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun to Shange’s For Colored Girls. Read more>>

Dr. Gretchen Torbert

Educational Advancement Group (EAG) was born out of a passion to bridge gaps in education and empower learners, families, and educators through innovative and accessible resources. It began as a small tutoring and support network, helping students strengthen their academic confidence and performance. Read more>>

Shaleigh McBride-Faieta

I’m originally from Pennsylvania and first discovered chiropractic at age 10 after hip pain from dance and cheerleading led my dad to take me to a chiropractor. The care not only helped me heal but kept me injury-free through school and college, which sparked my passion for holistic health. Read more>>

Mark A. Marston

If asked how/where I started, I will always say that I started with service. I am Marvena’s son; who used to be in church religiously (pun intended). I am a United States Marine. That discipline, comradery, and willingness to keep standing when life gets loud…it shaped me. Life did not go in a straight line for me. Read more>>

Gwen Kelly

The story begins when I adopted Lucy. She was a pittie mix, black with white markings. I will say that I was apprehensive because I heard the horrific stories of pit bull terriers, but never had any personal experience. I learned that black dogs and cats have a harder time getting adopted. Read more>>

Brittany Morton

I started simply with a heart to help women. What began as small gatherings to encourage others in their faith and purpose has grown into a movement that reaches thousands. Early on, I realized that so many women were showing up for everyone else but struggling to find space to be poured into themselves. That burden became my calling. Read more>>

Siage Batten

My passion for fashion started at a young age through my dad. He always had great style and made sure my outfits were on point too. Over time, I developed my own style for it and started creating outfits that felt like me. Growing up, I noticed most people dressed alike. Read more>>

Abigail Faulkner

My name is Abigail Faulkner. I’m a working Illustrator and Designer based in Atlanta, Georgia, where I was born and raised. Originally bound for cybersecurity, my trajectory was changed by my high school art teacher, who encouraged me persistently to pursue the arts. Read more>>

Brewer Heights Cece

Hey my name is Brewer Heights Cece I’m a Recording artist from Montgomery Al . How I got to where I am today was being consistent and determined no matter what came at me I always made time for my Craft . No matter how many times I was denied I kept pushing Read more>>

Will Preston

Music has always been deeply rooted in me. I didn’t have a master plan or a roadmap. I just followed what felt natural, and one song led to another. Eventually those songs became my debut project, which traveled farther than I ever imagined. It opened doors I didn’t know existed and connected me with people all over the world. Read more>>

Richard Vassell

I got started at 16 years old with Music production and I’ve had multiple placements both independently and major in some capacity. And how I got here today was because of hard work and dedication to the craft of music Read more>>

Hagen Mattingly

I’m currently 28 years old, and I’ve known for the majority of my life that I wanted to make films. It started with an addiction to drawing when I was a kid. Everywhere I went, I would be drawing something. Usually, it was characters from my favorite movies. Read more>>

Bruce Pulver

If you had told me just a few years ago that today I’d be speaking on stages, writing a best-selling book, hosting podcasts, and appearing in live commercial and print advertising campaigns, I would’ve laughed. My professional life began in corporate sales and leadership—an incredible career that taught me about drive, discipline, and the power of connecting with people. Read more>>

Melissa Bennett

I’m Melissa Bennett, ND, and the owner of The Olive Leaf in Roswell, Georgia. My path to functional healthcare began after my own breast cancer journey, which inspired me to look deeper into the root causes of illness and the body’s ability to heal when given the right support. Read more>>

Murda da gal dem

Our Story – SistasOnTheGo Podcast SistasOnTheGo started with a shared vision — to create a space where entrepreneurs from all walks of life could find inspiration, motivation, and real conversations about what it truly takes to chase your dreams. Read more>>

Deepti Joshi Kasralikar

My Journey with MH15: A Dream Seasoned with Perseverance They say every dream starts somewhere. Mine started with a craving a simple longing for the taste of home. I’ve always loved vegetarian food. Not just eating it, but feeling it the comfort it brings, the memories it stirs. Read more>>

Shamim Shoomali

I grew up dreaming of being a director. Was it a movie director? I wasn’t quite sure; I just knew I needed to direct. During my bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication, I felt I had found my calling as an art director. Later, during my master’s program in Animation, I realized that this was the right time for me to become an animation director. Read more>>

Doug Wardy

In 2007 Evan Blackburn had the opportunity to open the first clinic for Atlanta Falcons Physical Therapy Centers in Suwanee. He hired me in 2009 as an athletic trainer at the clinic and also working at North Gwinnett High School, one of the local schools that the clinic provides sports medicine services for. Read more>>

Brittany Sjogren

Birdie & Co Studio began as a solution to a need I personally felt. As a content creator and the founder of Loverly Grey, I’m constantly capturing photos and video for various projects. Over the years, I found myself searching for a space that felt elevated and inspiring, yet neutral enough to let the subject shine. Read more>>

Jason Jewell

Amelia and Jason have been life and business partners for over 20 years. Jason is a veteran hair stylist with more than 27 years behind the chair, managing and now owning salons. He has had the good fortune to educate for several major global beauty brands, work in editorial, commercial and film work, and developing a styling and grooming product line. Read more>>

XSINNER

My father was a preacher. I grew up following in his footsteps. In my early 20’s I developed my own ministry to families & kids. I minister at churches, festivals & in inner city areas to kids that need to hear about morality. I preach on the difference between right & wrong and why a person needs God. Read more>>

Juice GQ

Of course, my name is GeRel Robinson, also known as JuiceGQ, and I’m the founder of Tycoon Sports Media Group, based in Atlanta, Georgia. My journey in sports began as a passionate athlete basketball was my life but my athletic journey ended after high school, and I never had the benefit of NIL opportunities. This experience fuels my passion for helping athletes today. Read more>>

Stacey Wilson

The Conversion Mill is a digital marketing agency that focuses on helping small businesses around the country meet their online goals. I joined the team in 2022 as the Digital Media Coordinator. I love working with our small team to meet our customers needs with a personal and thoughtful approach. Our goal is to conquer our clients’ marketing challenges and help them reach success! Read more>>

L. Sheree Adams

I’ve been a nurse for 28 years. I was in administration after receiving my first master’s degree in nursing. I decided to pivot from leadership and management after my own mental health began to affect my family and watching the toll that dementia took on my my family after my grandfather was diagnosed, I took on a special interest in behavioral health. Read more>>

Antion Cryer

This journey has been a pretty wild one to say the least. 5 years ago, I got out the military and pursued a DJ/Producer dream I had as a child. I started in FnB to get funds up so I could travel to different events until I started receiving VA disability and that is when I started betting on myself. Read more>>

Renee Marchol

I started as a classroom teacher, working with children from preschool through high school, and later brought that same empathy and humor into creative work. Along the way, I earned my MBA and worked as a Creative for agencies and companies like Hot Type LLC ad agency and video game giant Ubisoft. Read more>>

Wolfgang Damm

Music, at first, was a refuge. Later, it became a language, a way to make sense of emotions that refused to sit quietly, emotions that crowded him in the dark hours when the world felt impossibly heavy. It was a place where he could speak without speaking, a place where silence and sound collided in a way that made sense to him. Read more>>

Brit K.S.

I grew up in Laguna Beach, California, and discovered my love for storytelling early on. I always dreamed of becoming a writer, which led me to join my school paper and later earn a journalism degree from CU Boulder. After college, I explored magazine and blog journalism, mainly covering fitness—a field I was already immersed in while teaching classes to support myself through school. Read more>>

Christopher Davis

The interesting story about my business venture. Read more>>

Sharveal Johnson

Sharveal Johnson: A Journey of Faith, Music, and Self-Determination I am Sharveal Johnson, an independent music executive, artist, and songwriter—the face and founder of my own label. Hailing from the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, my journey has been one of faith, resilience, and unyielding dedication to my craft. Read more>>

Amber Worthy

My story is one of evolution, learning to listen to my intuition, take risks, and redefine what fulfillment truly means. I started on a traditional path, attending college and then stepping into corporate America. But truthfully, I never loved it. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and deep down I knew I was meant to build something of my own. Read more>>

ZaKira Rogers

Being a first-generation college student with little to no knowledge of what to expect, I often felt lost trying to navigate higher education and my future. That experience sparked a deep desire in me to make sure other students from similar backgrounds wouldn’t have to face those same struggles alone. Read more>>

Chassydi Jones

My Story – The Board Room ATL The Board Room ATL started from a place of fear that turned into faith. After working more than ten years on my 9-to-5, I began to see signs of uncertainty — layoffs, reorganizations, and reductions in force. I realized I needed a plan of my own in case I was next. Read more>>

Brittany Williams

Hey, y’all! I actually started my journey as a preteen playing with makeup. In 2020, I started my first cosmetic brand, ’96beatz. Around that time I was into doing my makeup and I discovered lash extensions and I fell completely in love with the art of it. Read more>>

Michael Kanner

I grew up playing a few different sports, but martial arts was what stuck with me, eventually becoming my first job as an instructor. When it was time to look for a big boy job near the end of college, I was fortunate to have been hired at Apple. After falling in love with the company, I immersed myself in their culture and became a manager. As my passion and experience grew, I was connected to the global training team. Read more>>

Sydtastic ®

Before that, I was always a faithful musician, so I lean on knowing who I am. I’m humbled to have great connections in my industry and grateful to God for keeping me alive. In the past, I was constantly met with disingenuous people, misleading opportunities, and cruel intentions. But now, we’re in a new “renaissance” of independent creators. While it can feel rare to meet good people, it’s definitely possible. Our industry is filled with greats you may not recognize by face. Read more>>

LYNNETTE ADAMS

I became a chronic people-pleaser, terrified of missing another sign in someone I cared about, carrying an adult-sized grief with a teenager’s hands. Growing up in the ’90s, therapy wasn’t normalized yet. It wasn’t readily available to me, and my mother was concerned about what a diagnosis might mean, and honestly I didn’t know how to ask for help so I just reacted to EVERYTHING. I learned to walk through the dark by feel, inventing railings as I went. Read more>>

Marcus Price

That evolution eventually led to the creation of Seed & Oak Counseling. I wanted to build a practice rooted in compassion, care, and relational health, a place where healing could be both deeply personal and shared. Today, my work, and the work of my staff, integrates the spiritual, psychological, and social dimensions of people’s lives, helping them grow from the seeds of their experiences into something grounded, whole, and strong. Read more>>

Angelique Jackson

I reluctantly and LUCKILY did. That was it! I knew from that moment forward that we were destined to design and fabricate art with the structure/environment and client in mind. We were to manifest the opportunity to seek our full potential as creatives. We were well equipped. JoAnn had the skill to fabricate anything my imagination could muster (a designer’s dream come true) and my design demands developed her skills as a master in her craft. Read more>>

Robbie Whyte

In the mid 1980’s my best friend, David Kerner and I created fantastic, crazy Halloween costumes. Each year we entered contests and won trips all over the world. In 1988 we opened our graphic design firm with money we won in a costume contest. We both had a background in architecture, so our business specialized in the 3-dimensional field of signage and environmental graphics. That business continued for 38 years, I also raised a family, so selling hats fell by the waist side. However, I never stopped making and collecting them. My collection is enormous! Read more>>

Shantay Reaze

By 2021, I was ready to make it official. I launched Reaze Event Firm, now known as Reaze Event Consulting Firm, where I serve as owner and lead coordinator. Today, my firm operates as a comprehensive solution for event planning and coordination. While we’ve built our reputation specializing in nonprofit events, our expertise extends to corporate events, milestone celebrations, weddings, and everything in between. Read more>>

Nina Parker

The journey to ‘photographer’ began as a hobby: my sister was expecting her first child and I wanted ‘good’ photos of the baby. The years that followed were filled with taking pictures of babies, growing children, and our family, while honing my skills. Eventually, I began taking portraits for other families, and added wedding photography on weekends. Read more>>

Tamika Renee

Where to begin… over the past couple of years there has been the gift of growth. I’ll focus on what’s new. As I rebrand my podcast, I have been focusing on different ways I can promote my book while at the same time building community. One of the ways I did this was partnering and participating in adult book fairs. Read more>>