Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Faith Dismuke
I am doing what I was born to do. From as early as I can remember, I loved reading stories and writing stories. While I released the idea that I have one calling that I must fulfill or my life is incomplete, I do believe that I am doing the thing that naturally aligns with my gifts and abilities. Read more>>
Sean Van Wickle
I believe I am dong what I was born to do, ever since I was a little kid ive had an interest in cameras. Photography and filmmkaing are really the only interest I have had that have lasted. Read more>>
Demetra Moore
I would tell my younger self this: Know your value and your worth—deeply. You have the power to choose your path, to blaze your own trail, and to trust yourself along the way. You don’t need to compare your journey to anyone else’s; your unique abilities are more than enough, and they will lead you to do incredible things. Read more>>
Javonna waldon
Keep being your true authentic self, never dim your light for anyone Read more>>
AaL3y9h
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. I’ve noticed that many individuals tend to mask their true identities to avoid shame, disapproval, or abandonment from the ones they “love”. Ultimately, sacrificing love from self but also, the love from individuals who would have needed their authenticity. I’ve watched people I loved turn on me which caused me to hide within. Read more>>
David Anthony
I just asked a friend if the public version of me is the real me and they answered yes, and I asked them to tell me how and why . They answered because I’m not fake. I show it because my actions match my Words and anything I say I can do, I do it. I lead with and Authentic and open heart and mind. Read more>>
Therron Dumas
Myself! I had lost myself for years.. maybe even over a decade. I almost gave up on life, I literally say I had one foot in the grave. Life was stressful to the point where I didn’t care about my health, how I looked at one point or anything else. And like I said, literally one foot in the grave. Read more>>
Candis J
I begin my mornings by intentionally stepping into God’s presence — through prayer, focused meditation on His Word, or reading the Scripture He places on my heart. Sometimes it’s worship, sometimes it’s quiet reflection, but it’s always deliberate. Read more>>
Debra Mazer
I drink fresh spring water. I do breathwork on the Amethyst Biomat (a $2K infrared crystal mat I give Reiki Sessions on.) I shower, then I journal for 3 pages via The Artist’s Way. I end my journaling with a Gratitude List, I channel a short letter (a few sentences) from my Inner Wise Self (via my mentor, SARK). Read more>>
Amber Desantis
I understand, in my bones, what it feels like to be terrified of being seen and still secretly crave it. Most people think my clients book a boudoir session because they want to feel “sexy” or impress someone else. What I see, over and over, is that they’re actually looking for proof that they still exist outside of their roles. Read more>>
Rocklyn Williams
When I was younger I had a tendency of dumbing myself down just to fit in and be around the people I was with. Knowing that I could be doing certain things at 100% and I didn’t just so I wouldn’t leave situations where I was at or anybody behind. I don’t know why. Read more>>
Shirley Su
It is the discovery of brand new cooking ingredient combinations. Recently, I tried mixing chopped-up beef sticks or beef jerkies into scrambled egg and it came out amazing! Just be sure to not season or season it minimally because the flavors of the beef sticks/jerkies will be absorbed by the eggs. Read more>>
Steve Spencer
Even though we consider it work, our podcast has brought us alot of joy. Life can sometimes get in the way and keep you from checking in on your friends, our podcast originally started out as normal handout sessions for us to catch up every week and talk about the things we enjoy. Eventually we decided to turn our conversations into a show. Read more>>
Katrina Flucas
I believe people will remember me as a woman who was deeply committed—to God, to her family, and to the people she was called to serve. They’ll say I showed up fully and consistently, not for recognition, but because integrity mattered to me. When I loved you, I loved you with everything in me. Read more>>
Carmen Alexis
When I am gone, I hope that people will tell a story of resilience. I hope people will know how much I overcame to be the person I am. Perseverance has been my favorite word since I was nine years old. It’s always kept me on a path of never giving up. Read more>>
Jordan Tyrell
Honestly, I lose track of time whenever I’m creating—when I’m in the studio and the world gets quiet. That’s the space where I find myself again. I tap into emotions I don’t always talk about, and the music kind of pulls the truth out of me. When I’m writing, I’m not thinking about numbers or pressure or who’s watching… I’m just present. Read more>>
Amber White
I think they would say my personal growth is something that really matters to me. All of my friends know I love to indulge in fun things where I feel free but they also know I prioritize my responsibilities and personal growth is under that list of responsibilities. Read more>>
Kristi Porter
I first learned of the anti-trafficking movement in 2006—and my world changed in an instant. I still remember sitting at a conference listening to the speaker talk about it. I could not believe my ears when I heard that people were still living as slaves. Read more>>
Brandon Lang
A moment that truly shaped how I see the world comes from my childhood, when I experienced failure more often than success. Growing up, things didn’t always come easily for me—I had to work twice as hard just to keep up. At times it felt discouraging, but each setback taught me something important: adversity doesn’t define you unless you allow it to. Read more>>
Chanda Parterson
I feel most at peace when I’m creating. There’s something powerful about taking someone’s vision and turning it into something real—something made with love, care, and intention. When a client trusts me to bring their dream to life through a custom cake or treat, everything around me quiets. In that moment, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Read more>>
Grace Pitts
I can’t really point to just one person who taught me the most about work. I feel like every single person I’ve encountered in this industry has taught me something. That’s one of my favorite parts about working in entertainment—everyone brings something different to the table. When you work with creatives, you never stop learning. Read more>>
Gretchen Evans
My mentor and friend, Charles LaPointe, as well as Tom Watson were a huge influence on my work. I helped run their wig studio in NYC for 8 years. They shared their knowledge of wigmaking and helped me believe in my own abilities as a Wigmaker. Most pointedly, both often asked my opinion on how I would approach building a specific wig. Read more>>
Nicole L & LVLD
Nicole – Absolutely. At this point in my life, the things that matter most to me are worth giving my best to whether anyone claps for me or not. The three areas I’m most invested in right now are continuing to grow in my acting career, showing up as the best mother I can be, and being a strong support system for my husband. Read more>>
Donna Mitchell
“Giving My Best — Even Without the Applause” There came a point in my journey where I had to learn that purpose isn’t proven by praise. I realized that even if no one clapped, noticed, or said “thank you,” I still had to give my best — because I wasn’t doing it for recognition, I was doing it for God. Read more>>
Angelik Holloway
Honestly, it’s rare. As a Black woman—even as a lawyer whose job is literally to advocate and be heard—my day-to-day reality often tells a different story. I’m ignored, questioned, or treated as if my concerns are exaggerated unless I escalate to a manager or subtly signal my professional status. Read more>>
Danskia Bogle
My energy , love and essence would remain. The love I poured into others around me would remain. The examples I set , and bars I set would remain. I think most importantly my drive and how I handled my personal struggles would remain. Most importantly the examples I set. Read more>>
Pavlo Zolotarenko
There are two kinds of stress, in my view. The first is “adrenaline stress” — like a rabbit that’s scared, running without knowing where it’s going. The second is the “burrow adrenaline” — the stress a predator feels when anticipating its prey. Read more>>
Benjamin Davidow
Resentment and illusive kingdoms of anxious, perseverative thought plant seeds of destruction in the heart of relationships born between beings of light. We must learn to tend to our own garden. Some seeds may struggle more than others to break through the dirt, to fan towards the sun, and others may be out shadowed by larger trees that form the canopy above. Read more>>
Franchesca Thompson
I believe bonds break when people stop feeling valued, supported, or cared for. Whether it’s a child growing up in a home lacking love and stability, or an adult placing trust in a friend, coworker, or partner, relationships fracture when the emotional needs at the center of connection go unmet. Read more>>
Cae Harris
Through my artistry, I’ve learned that what breaks the bonds between people is often the same thing that dulls a face before makeup touches it: neglect, misunderstanding, and the parts we stop paying attention to. Distance grows when we stop seeing each other clearly, when intentions get blurred, and when the small details go unacknowledged. Read more>>
Desiree’ Nixon
Comparison and/or Confidence. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we are keeping up with more than just the Jones’s and the Kardashians! With the exponential growth of reality television and social media it is inevitable that we will see the most celebratory moments in the lives of those around us. Read more>>
Brooklynn Hill
I think people are struggling with themselves, and what I mean by that is people are not honest with themselves when it comes to emotions, career, academics, and a plethora of other things. It is hard to be honest with yourself when you have so much going on. I feel as if people do not challenge themselves anymore or are even okay with rejection. Read more>>
Kenneth Hoursey
I think a lot of people have tied me to this everybody loves me kind of thing and I laugh at it but I know it’s not the case. Read more>>
Skull Q
That My Legacy Is More Then Just A Legacy It’s Purpose. I Wouldn’t Even Just Say Purpose It’s A Purpose And A Drive To Not Only Go Beyond Your Limits But To Really Live Your Live The Way You Want It To Be. A Legacy For Me Is Just A Standing Point , Basically Saying I Not Only Lived It I Was It . Read more>>
Krish Chopra
A truth I believe that most people don’t agree with is this: everything is my responsibility. Not in a self-blaming way, but in a way that gives me agency. Full ownership moves me out of a victim mindset and into a problem-solving one. If something is “the world’s fault,” I can’t change it. If it’s my responsibility, I can. Most people think accountability follows success. Read more>>
Rob Gomes
I’m Cape Verdean/American…family and our community loved me, raised me and helped to shape me. I was blessed with remarkable parents and awe-inspiring Grandparents. Read more>>
Deserea Jones
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was during my first basketball game in elementary school. I was in the 4th grade and the starting point guard for my team. Because I was the point guard, the ball was in my hands for every play, and I was responsible for making all of the decisions for the team. Read more>>
Skyler Reed
I made someone cry in the audience! I realized the power of my voice and music during my first recital at age 12. I sang When You Believe from The Prince of Egypt. Read more>>
Briana Wyatt Wyatt
I used to think that success came from someone saving you, but it starts with saving yourself. I thought dreams came true because one person comes along, “sees” you, and shapes you into who you need to be. Don’t get me wrong, I know people are sent along the journey to help you become who you are. It all starts within, though. Read more>>
Lila Jimenez
I used to think that constantly hustling was the only way I could make it. I worked really hard in the beginning, working long days and pushing myself to learn even more outside of paying work. I thought that if I started work late or took a day off that I was being lazy or failing. Read more>>
Cassidy Self
A cultural value I protect at all costs is authenticity. I never want to create a space where people feel like they have to shrink, perform, or pretend. Whether it’s in my business or my personal life, I’m committed to keeping things real. Real conversations, real expectations, real connection, and real care. Read more>>
Makala Hamilton
I don’t care what anyone says, I believe in The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost Read more>>
Shadia Shunnara
I’m Palestinian, and the cultural value I hold most sacred is the collective — the understanding that we exist with and for each other. In America, the narrative often centers around individualism- every person for themselves. In Palestinian culture, the focus is on community, hospitality, and love in action. Read more>>
Ester Shamba
When we first started, I had this childish belief that if I worked hard enough, scrappy enough, I’d automatically be successful. But failing hard quickly taught me that it doesn’t work that way. Read more>>
Jodi L. Suson
I changed my mind about holding grudges. I used to hold a grudge like a badge of honor. The problem was, I thought I was keeping myself safe. Instead, I was hurting myself. When we hold on to being mad at anyone… including ourselves, it is the same as drinking poison and hoping that the other person dies. The bigger question is… Read more>>
Vicky Rondon
Curiosity, being curious made me feel confident since I was little Read more>>
Donald Jones
When we started Alchemy Media Publishing, our goal was simple but ambitious: to make sure powerful stories are never forgotten. Now, with Illuminated Storytelling™, we’re taking that vision even further. By combining narrative, design, and technology, we’re transforming reading into an immersive experience that connects with audiences everywhere. Read more>>
KenDrick Wright
Yes, I would hire myself. With everything I can provide to a business, I would be a asset to any business that hires me. When people get hire that typically attach themselves to their world but in our industry you are your brand. You have to carry yourself as if you a Nike, ADIDAS, Gucci or even LV. Read more>>
