ATL’s Most Inspiring Stories

The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.

Dayna Murray

At the beginning of my film career, I always knew that one of my deepest purposes in life was to share with the world the rich beauty and vibrant culture of my people. Read more>>

Sybastian Smith

Some people believe that being transgender is a new concept or way of existing. It should be no shock here, but frankly it is not new. Trans people have always existed! Read more>>

Chaz Chapman

CATALYSTS Foundation began in the most personal way possible: as a way for me to say “thank you” to the communities that poured into me—and to help smooth the path for the next generation of changemakers. In 2017, in partnership with Kennesaw State University, CATALYSTS took shape as a small, social impact–based scholarship fund. Read more>>

Kako

One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence? I grew up in a place where most people were afraid to be themselves. Read more>>

Andre Murray

During the rough and uncertain days of COVID, when the world felt paused and heavy, I picked up a camera for the first time not knowing that one small decision would change everything for me. Photography started as a quiet escape, a way to find beauty in the middle of chaos. Read more>>

Nikhol Francis

From a young age I always knew I wanted to do something with Fashion. Once I graduated high school I went on to study merchandising, and the retail management side of things but still didn’t feel fulfilled. Read more>>

Kathryn Dreifuss

Growing up, I’ve always loved watching movies. I wanted to be part of the team that created them, not just watch from the outside. Read more>>

Christopher Davis

Ups and downs being robbed going to jail it all changed when I Create My scented, it Oils that tells me and lets me know each person that smells them personality along with that is always 100%. Read more>>

Tim Davis

My journey into boudoir photography started long before I ever picked up a camera professionally. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of helping people see themselves differently — more confidently, more boldly, and with a kind of self-love they may not have tapped into yet. In the beginning, I was photographing anything and everything, just trying to find my lane. Read more>>

Eric Parker

I am Eric Parker (Dj Red E) a founding member of The Collective Group Music LLC. The Collective Group Music provides entertainment services for almost every type of event imaginable along with audio video support. Our start wasn’t so broad. In 2014 a mutual friend introduced me to my partner Emanuel Thompson. Our friendship quickly grew with an admiration of one another. Read more>>

Ja’lia Marie

I began my journey as an aspiring model. I never really felt like I was reaching my full creative potential. It felt more like I was selling my body for validation, rather than actually using my vessel as an outlet to display live art. I became a photographer to change the trajectory of my self image and my creative expression. Read more>>

Andy Rowland

I started making movies when I was a little kid, so that’s always what I’ve wanted to do. I have since graduated from the University of West Georgia with a degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Film & Video Production (and a minor with the Georgia Film Academy). I have made a handful of shorts, with each being more successful than the last. Read more>>

Marcia Blane

Rising From the Inside Out: The Multifaceted Journey of Marcia Blane, Therapist, Author, Hypnotherapist, Podcaster, and Global Keynote Speaker In a world where emotional wounds often go unseen and unheard, Marcia Blane has made it her mission to transform silence into strength. Read more>>

Joshua Maddox

I didn’t start from anything grand, i SUCKED, but everyone has to be bad before they get good. My story and journey starts with love. The first image i drew as an adult without blatantly tracing the reference was a depiction of love, it was the first time i understood what it meant to invoke feeling through an image. Read more>>

Cherrie McRae

Hi There! I’m Cherrie ‘Cher’ McRae, professional actor and creative. My initiation and active involvement in acting, arts and entertainment began roughly 2001 where I was cast in a role on an Urban Late Night Drama Series. Filming took place in Miami, Fl. (my hometown). Read more>>

Jamie Warde

I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, and started working in theatre there as a teenager. My parents loved art, music, literature, and theatre, so I grew up with a lot of that influence. They encouraged all their children (my three sisters & I) to try different things and when we found something we liked, they encouraged that, too. Read more>>

Gustavo Adolfo Castillo Cruz

I’ve always been really curious and driven to make a positive impact in my community. I started by getting involved in local projects when I was younger, focusing on education and environmental initiatives. Read more>>

Ayush Khedekar

My journey began when I was four years old, watching my father, who was then a regional theatre artist, perform on stage. One of his monologues quickly became my bedtime story, and before long, I began narrating it as if I were performing it myself. My parents soon enrolled me in competitions, and gradually I started receiving opportunities for commercials and TV shows. Read more>>

Nandi Dawson

I am a screenplay writer who has been writing for a little over a year. I started as a key production assistant and worked my way up to a first AD. I took a leap and transitioned to writing, the career I actually wanted. Read more>>

Alexandre Badila

My journey began in Paris, France, where my passion for design and precision took root. I moved to the U.S. to earn a degree in Landscape Architecture and Site Engineering from Cornell University. After graduating, I settled in Atlanta, Georgia—a city I quickly grew to love for its vibrant greenery. I started my career at Precision Planning, gaining experience in design and site engineering. Read more>>

Yold Dominique Oscar

I actually began working with children long before launching my business. My journey goes all the way back to 1996, when I first stepped into the classroom as a substitute teacher. I didn’t realize it at the time, but those early days were shaping the entire direction of my life. Read more>>

April Odom

I became interested in filmmaking when I took a course called Minorities in Mass Media at NCAT. AGGIE PRIDE!!!! I was intrigued by the history of black actors and filmmaking. There have been many changes; however, some aspects remain the same when it comes to the representation of black creatives in Hollywood. My creative journey has not been linear. Read more>>

Meraki Anoir

I began recording and releasing original music in 2018 while I was in college. During that time I also began participating in student led films and musical theatre to gain experience acting. Eventually in 2023 I began creating comedy content online which has now garnered millions of views on multiple platforms and grown my following tremendously. Read more>>

Susie Vazquez

I grew up in Dayton, Ohio, and from the time I was little, I knew I wanted to live a creative life. My mom was a nurse and my dad was a radiologist, so the path in front of me looked very “medical.” But I craved something more expressive. I loved music and theater, but dance was the thing that lit me up. Read more>>

Leilani Jeanis

I’m a Georgia girl, born and raised, and the daughter of two rebel kids who grew up in very traditional families, so it’s no surprise my life never followed the normal path either. I’m one of five kids, and if my family had a “dark horse” award, I’d probably win it without competition. Read more>>

Georgia McClintock

I’m a small-town girl with big dreams. I’ve always loved music and knew I had a big personality. In high school, my reading teacher, Ms. Caulder, asked me, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” At the time, I honestly didn’t know. That day, I went home and kept thinking about her question. Read more>>

Pam McNall

I didn’t begin my career in education. My path started in television news media, documentary storytelling, and volunteer community work. Throughout every chapter of my life, I’ve always been drawn to helping people feel seen, heard, and valued. Read more>>

Erik Henderson

When I purchased a throne chair from Indonesia for a photoshoot about six years ago for my birthday, I didn’t know that would lead to the start of my business, Royal Exchange. After posting the photos to social media, I received more than 1,000 likes and hundreds of shares. People were reaching out to me asking how they could find chairs or rent mine. Read more>>

Dreka Shevon

I grew up in the tiny town of Fayette, Mississippi — the kind of place where dreaming of becoming a filmmaker felt almost unrealistic. I didn’t know a single person in the industry. But movies? Movies were our love language. Read more>>

Kelley Fuller

What started as “I love to travel… I wonder if I can get better deals?” has turned into a full-blown career I absolutely adore. I jumped into the travel world last January, and once I started planning trips for others, I realized—oh wow, this is my thing. By day, I run my travel business. Read more>>

Diana Lashey

My story is really about growth, transition, and learning how to rebuild my life in a way that feels authentic to me. In 2023, I made a major decision to move from Montgomery, Alabama to Georgia. I wanted a fresh start, more opportunities, and a place where I could evolve into the woman I knew I was meant to become. Read more>>

Todd Falconbury

I went back to school in my thirties to finally earn my degree in Interior Design. It felt strange sitting in classrooms with students much younger than me, but I knew exactly why I was there, and that kept me focused. My internship placed me under Bill Musso, a well-respected name in Atlanta design. Read more>>

Julianna Hampton

My story started when I was a young girl. Just like any little girl, I loved playing with Barbies and American Girl dolls—but for me, it was always about the hair. That was my favorite part. I still remember asking for the Barbie Endless Curls one Christmas—the one with the curling iron and rollers. It was the best Barbie I ever had! Read more>>

Abdul Hakim Abdul Salam

Ever since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated by animation. I spent a lot of my time making up theories about how they were created, things like “It is mascots acting,” or “It is just advanced puppets.” My theories were somewhat true, but I did not really understand how animation was actually made until 2016, when Moana was released. Read more>>

Shadai Bright

I’ve always believed that your story doesn’t define you, but it can shape the kind of woman you rise into. My journey started in Savannah, GA, where I grew up as the oldest of seven. I learned early what leadership, responsibility, and resilience really look like. Read more>>

Trew Wilson

Born and raised Floridian, from North Florida and also where I reside today is where the story starts and I am pleased to share moments in time that have brought me to be the person I am today. Read more>>

Tornado Da Kang

Im a 478 native from Washington county the city?? Tennille where chances are small and ratio of makin it out are even smaller. Read more>>

Shawn McCray

My passion for film and photography started at the young age of maybe five years old. After the passing of my aunt May 29th 2025 I slowly started to discover old photos of me growing up as a child. Photos of which I took and were taken of me by her with a camera always in my hand. Read more>>

Stevii Mills

My journey began long before I ever knew it would become a business. I have always been the woman who loves to share information, uplift others, and help people see what is possible for their lives. After being in marketing and public relations for many years, I felt God leading me to use my voice and my expertise in a bigger way. Read more>>

Angela Williams

I spent more than a decade in tech, leading global operations, privacy, and legal strategy at high growth tech companies like Meta & Google. My career moved fast. My life moved fast. I was constantly bouncing between high-stakes meetings, long flights, and workouts squeezed in wherever they could fit. Read more>>

Christopher Chamblis

My name is Christopher Chamblis, but most people know me as Chris James. I’m originally from Detroit, MI, and recently made the move to Atlanta to continue growing in my craft. Honestly, my story starts as a child singing and acting have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Lowell Dancy

My spiritual journey began in 2014, but it was in 2018 that I truly started to embody the knowledge and wisdom I was gaining. I embraced a path of self empowerment regardless if what I was learning was deemed taboo. Read more>>

Solo Swayy

At the age of 11, Solo swayy started to produce beats off a software called fruity loops, which is known to be used by many bIG producers. Read more>>

Joual

Everything started when Fisher and Sylvie were in seventh grade, and they’d constantly be writing what they thought what was genius comedy and putting it to music. Think early 2010s parody songs. Over time, they realized that the project could be so much bigger, so the two recruited Uddhav on the drums, but Sylvie refused to perform live due to severe stage fright. Read more>>

Toni Thomas

I initially started off as a trained Interior Designer/Project Manager in High-End Interior Construction and Design. Then moved into Skincare by becoming a licensed Esthetician through Dermalogica Academy in 2015. That career shift developed out of my own curiosity about how to live life by holding space for women like me, caring for one another inside and out. Read more>>

Lauren Tison

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a solo private practice in Cumming called Seed to Bloom Counseling. After graduating from Agnes Scott College with a BA in psychology, I taught school for a few years. Read more>>

Diana Montano

Our story began with my mom, Magdalena Velasquez. She came to the U.S. from El Salvador at 17 with nothing but faith and determination. What started as a small dream to build a better life eventually grew into Boutique Y Joyería, which has been serving the Marietta community since 2013. My sisters and I literally grew up inside the business. Read more>>

Tammi Smith

My journey began in 2011, when surgery and chemotherapy left me needing a side hustle to cover bills while I was out of work. While I’d always dabbled in side projects, this need was different. While brainstorming simple ways to earn extra cash, I remembered that wholesale jewelry was inexpensive, offering a quick profit potential given its popularity. Read more>>

Rxch Mike

I began my journey at just 16 years old. With a Rockband mic that was hooked up to his PlayStation 2 I decided to use it to record my first song, with a laptop running FL Studio and Mixcraft, I started recording songs from his bedroom. Read more>>

Charon Austin

I started my business journey in 2019 with a simple desire to build something of my own that reflected my creativity, my culture, and my work ethic. At the time, I was juggling motherhood, school, and work, yet I had a strong feeling that I could create a brand that would grow far beyond a weekend hustle. Read more>>

Allison Rozzel

It all started when the reality of my one and only child was about to graduate from high school and I was hit with the reality that I had made being my son’s mother my entire identity. So I panicked and then I prayed. During this time I was also going through a spiritual awakening. Read more>>

Sharrod Golightly

Started with a East Atlanta Field Day to the use an inclusive athletic event that could get a community to come outside at Gresham Park Recreation center in South Dekalb. After finishing sports, I made it a point to use my platform to show people where im from and why I have so much pride not just on the field or off the field. Read more>>

Mercedes Walker

I got my start in Central Florida, Polk County to be exact, where I naturally found myself bringing women together, hosting conversations, and encouraging collaboration long before I realized it was my purpose. When I began attending networking events and intentionally putting myself in different rooms, I noticed something: many women in the same field didn’t even know each other. Read more>>

Hyla-Monét Penn

I’m Hyla-Monét Penn a leadership and organizational development coach, former principal, and the founder of H-Monét Penn Consulting, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders balance empathy and accountability and build high-performing teams that have a sustainable impact. I’ve spent nearly two decades in education, with over 12 years in school and organizational leadership. Read more>>

Braxton O’Neal

I’m a husband, father, and IT professional who’s kept music at the center of my life since I can remember, playing multiple instruments since childhood. I hold a BA in Music Composition, but landed the IT gig shortly after college. Read more>>

Missi Burgess

I knew that I wanted to be a birth worker when I witnessed my mother’s pregnancy and birth at the age of about 12. I was obsessed with all of her books on pregnancy and read them cover to cover, but was disappointed in her birth experience because it did not match what I had read about. Read more>>

Katrina Butler

I started my journey long before I ever knew it would become my life’s work. As a survivor of domestic violence, incarceration, and generational trauma, I learned early what it meant to rebuild from nothing, to fight for safety, and to reclaim my voice after it had been taken from me. Read more>>

Dr. Kerry-Ann Zamore

I began writing as a teen, long before I fully understood that storytelling would become my life’s calling. What started as journal entries and short creative pieces slowly evolved into a deeper commitment to capture the experiences, struggles, and triumphs of the people around me. Read more>>

Jayna Shah

I grew up in Mumbai in a family of creatives, so choosing a creative path never felt like a big decision. My mom spent most of her free time sketching and she naturally passed that curiosity on to me early. One of my favourite memories with her is learning stippling together. Read more>>

Rev. Brittany and Céshia ‘Queen Phierce’ Powell

Brittany Michelle Powell, M.Div., graduated from Spelman College in 2007 with the intention of entering into Pre-Law. The recession in 2008 shifted her dreams of becoming an attorney and led her to volunteer with her former church’s prison ministry. This set her on a divine path to meet a chaplain. Read more>>

Lawain Howell

I moved with my family to Georgia 4 years ago after my dad landed a job as a Chief Information Officer for the Institute of Georgia Tech. This is when I began my journey stock trading and starting a soccer club. Read more>>

Chiara Charles

Hi guys, currently I’m a social media coordinator/videographer for a prom bridal and brand. But outside of my 9 to 5 I model, make rugs and Creative direct. The job I currently have is a remote job which allows me to travel with the company to different Photoshoot and markets. Read more>>

Lori Oliver

My journey to founding The Inactive Company has been anything but linear, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Read more>>

Dorian Ducksworth

From the time I was 13, my ambition was born out of necessity. I started hustling just to keep my phone on and buy the clothes I wanted because, coming from a family of four children, I never wanted to be a burden on my parents. Read more>>