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.

Marcus Burton

I started practicing production on FL Studio almost daily. Then August of 2020 is when I became serious about production after I briefly met the rapper CEO Trayle one night while working a security job in Atlanta, January of that year. But some of my musical influences are my own brother EastsideLotto, of course CEO Trayle, Skrilla, Lucki, Loe Shimmy, Icytwat, FoxBD, Jorjiana, Earl Sweatshirt & many others. Read more>>

Jennifer Sheldt

I come from a long line of makers. My grandfather built heirloom furniture that still lives on through my family today, and the women in my family wove the world together one thread at a time. My mom filled our home with warmth — a pile of scarves and afghans stacked like hugs, stitched right into the fabric of my childhood. Read more>>

Sarah Northup

I’ve always been the friend that says, “Wait guys I have to capture this for the memories!!!” After many years of taking photos for friends and family, I finally decided to take it professionally, est. July of 2022. Since then, my business has grown more than I could’ve imagined. I’ve started doing wedding photography & videography & have over 20 weddings booked for 2026. I’m so thankful!!!! Read more>>

Srinivasa Praveen Chand Kolipaka

After over a decade in the IT industry, I took a leap of faith to follow my true passion—coaching, mentoring, and building the next generation of athletes. I realized a gap in structured training for kids and families who wanted to pursue badminton seriously. That inspired me to create Sree Badminton Academy — not just as a coaching center, but as a community where kids learn values like discipline, teamwork, and resilience. Read more>>

Lysbeth Jean-Louis Ricketts

Although I once dreamed of becoming an international corporate lawyer, I chose to follow God’s direction instead, earning a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in International Management in Barcelona, Spain. I later became a top International Business Consultant for Melissa & Doug, working with clients around the world before stepping away to focus on family, entrepreneurship, and my true calling. Read more>>

Jerry Gray Rouleau

My story with JG Media Co. starts in a place most people wouldn’t expect.. a bar, a mechanical bull, and a TikTok video that went viral overnight. That moment, wild as it was, became the beginning of my social media presence. It’s not the chapter I’m most proud of, but it opened a door. It taught me how powerful storytelling could be, how fast authenticity spreads, and how people connect to real, unfiltered life. That experience unknowingly prepared me for the business I run today. Read more>>

Aislinn Cummings

What started as me experimenting with colors, textures and an unhealthy obession with asthetics quickly turned into a Mission! That mission was to turn boring patterns, blah colors into something stylish, bold, and just a little unexpected for individuals who wanted to spruce their wardrobe. Some people call it wardrobe consulting. I call it Stylish Imagination. It’s how you feel, when you’re dressed to impress. Read more>>

Kaley Satterfield

Firstly, I started dancing since I was 6 years old, my mother & grandmother ( Tammy L. Wiggers) encouraged my abilities ever since. Also I was encouraged to gain skills in music due to my Grandfather (Thomas L. Wiggers) that was a singer /musician which is commonly passed down from my members on my mother’s side. Read more>>

Jabari (L.E.Y.L.O.) Crowder

Absolutely. My journey into the film world wasn’t something I planned; it was something I survived my way into. I grew up loving cameras, storytelling, and the art of capturing real life. What pulled me into filmmaking was the realization that our stories — especially Black stories, street stories, cultural stories- were either being misrepresented or not being told at all. Read more>>

Sabrina Bae

I originally wanted to be an artist. Art was my first language and my first way of understanding emotion, beauty, and meaning. But over time, I began craving a deeper sense of purpose that felt rooted in helping others. I wanted my creativity to live where people actually spend their lives. That pull led me to interior design. Read more>>

Kiwii Keely Adeleye

I got started in music from a general love of it in New Jersey. My mother discovered my voice and had me on stage at the age of 5 singing the Black National Anthem. I joined the choir as a child but hadn’t formally trained until I became an adult. I have been writing music for myself since childhood making up songs while cleaning etc. Read more>>

Black The Scientist

My story as a musician and as an artist started by accident, as it took one college project for me to start experimenting with music. For me school has always came first, so I took some time to finish college before I really ventured within my musical sound and in my art, and that’s how Black The Scientist came to be. Read more>>

Acacia Turner

I started as a dancer. I have been training in numerous styles including ballet, modern, jazz, contemporary, tap, and hip hop since I was three years old, and growing up in competitive dance naturally introduced me to the world of makeup and lashes. Long hours of competition prep, stage looks, and beauty routines sparked something in me early on. Read more>>

Latesha Higgs-Pittman

Latesha Higgs-Pittman: Legacy, Healing, and Purpose A Baltimore, MD native, Latesha Higgs-Pittman is a passionate mental health speaker and advocate, author, mentor, and educator. Driven by a profound family legacy of service, Latesha’s life is dedicated to elevating and empowering others. Read more>>

Daniel Abadie

My passion for voiceover began as a young boy when I entertained my family and friends with play-by-play accounts of my favorite sporting events, sparking an interest in both public speaking and the performing arts. I was diagnosed at an early age on the autism spectrum and, thereafter, started speech therapy. Read more>>

Mekhi Taylor

When I look back at my beginnings, I realize nothing about who I am today is new. Everything I’m building as a young adult is rooted in the same passions I had as a kid — I just finally have language for it. Read more>>

Michael Elliston

Incorporated Atlanta Soto Zen Center (www.aszc.org) in 1977 – continuously operating ever since. Trained thousands of Atlantans in Zen meditation, now serving a national network of over a dozen active centers in USA & Canada – under the umbrella organization of the Silent Thunder Order (www.storder.org) incorporated in 2010. Read more>>

Antares Brown

I am native of Pensacola, FL. Ran track at the University of South Alabama. Moved to Georgia to pursue a professional Track & Field career. Work a corporate job for roughly 6 years then became a personal trainer. Created my own Brand called Orion 428 where I specialize in group training, weight loss, and mass building. Read more>>

Madalitso Zulu

My photography journey began when I borrowed my sister’s camera and realized how fascinating it was. She rarely used it, so I had a few chances to experiment, and those moments were enough to spark something in me. Eventually, I bought my own camera, and from that point on, I felt this constant urge to capture everything around me. Read more>>

Cameron Rozier

My story really started as a teenager in Southern Georgia, where I developed a big love for social media and all things content creation. I always had my sights set on moving to Atlanta, and social media ended up being the thing that pushed me in that direction. Read more>>

Charles Ramsey

I grew up pretty poor. In a great family but we didn’t have much. My parents encouraged me to achieve whatever I wanted. I managed to get a scholarship but knew that cooking would be my life. Read more>>

Cari Hall

I started sharing online to document my life as a mother. The small, everyday moments I never wanted to forget. Over time, that simple habit of storytelling grew into a creative path. Small businesses began reaching out, and that slowly led to working with larger lifestyle, home, and wellness brands. Storytelling is still at the heart of everything I create. Read more>>

Adrian Morris

American comics and Japanese manga. Those are the two things that have inspired me to create my own comics, write stories, and create artwork. As a kid, I fell in love with the medium. I remember reading comics like Captain Underpants, Archie, Bone, and eventually Japanese comics like Dragon Ball Z and Naruto. Read more>>

Qamara Girard

The idea of my business originally started in 2020, when I began my hair loss journey. I was taking out my jumbo braids in college and noticed that one of the braids by my edges was completely gone, no active hair follicles. I tried a lot of the popular brands that stated they could help with hair growth, but nothing worked. Read more>>

Artem Shchekunov

It all started not with a big stadium, not with investors, and not with grandiose statements. It all started… with ordinary children and a deep love of soccer. I always knew I wanted to work with children. Read more>>

Aby Varma

I’ve always been drawn to the moments where people, ideas, and technology mesh to create something new. That curiosity has shaped every step of my career. Experiencing different cultures and perspectives along the way expanded that curiosity even further, giving me a global lens for understanding how people communicate, collaborate, and build. That view continues to influence the way I approach marketing, leadership, and community. Read more>>

Rob Chevis

I started my journey in Houston, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Advertising with a minor in Graphic Communications from the University of Houston. Creativity, storytelling, and visual communication have always come naturally to me, and they’ve continued to shape how I see the world long after college. Read more>>

Dwayne Joseph

My name is Dwayne Jerome, and I wanted to reach out to share my updated story and the journey that led me to where I am today. Read more>>

Michael Albanese

I grew up in Atlanta on the border of Buckhead and Sandy Springs, so I have always been a part of the city. I grew up playing sports at NYO and always wanted to be a coach. I started as an assistant football coach on the first varsity staff at Pace Academy in 2008 while I was still trying to finish college. Read more>>

Deandra Ellison

I started braiding when I was about eleven or twelve years old. My aunt braided my hair before I started then one day she just quit, so I had to learn or my hair would be every where. As years went by I continued to practice on close family members, their friends, or co-workers. Read more>>

Maverick Schippmann

I got into a skydiving crash that ended my college football career. Everything I thought I was working toward changed in one moment. After that, with a complete loss in identity, I felt called to travel. I booked a one-way ticket to Hawaii, where I felt called the most, and that trip turned into three months of solo travel on accident. Read more>>

Ana Laura Soto

I am a passionate entrepreneur driven by a single mission: to help others achieve their goals. This purpose fuels my two ventures: 1. iGLOW Fitness: My journey into fitness began in my early 20s. After my own personal transformation, people noticed and began asking for guidance. Read more>>

Summer J. Robinson

My name is Summer J. Robinson, and while I officially entered the publishing world in 2021, storytelling has been a part of my life since I was a little girl. I grew up writing, and in high school I fell in love with filmmaking. Read more>>

Cadeitra Russell

I have been baking since I was young. As I got older it was just a hobby baking birthday cakes and all occasions cakes. I’m a Cosmetologist as well. In 2019 when Covid struck, the state shut down the beauty salons. I had to find a way to make some income before I started receiving my unemployment. Read more>>

Cheysi Camacho

I’ve always known I wanted to be a hairstylist. All throughout high school I was coloring my friends’ hair—and my own. (Apologies to the ones I messed up in the early days!) In 2015, I finally took the leap and enrolled in cosmetology school. I worked a 9–5 and attended classes in the evenings, determined to make it happen. Read more>>

Tawny Smith

I’ve always been a creative at heart, but interior design is where my entrepreneurial journey truly began. What started as a natural gift for transforming spaces quickly evolved into a full-fledged business when clients began seeking out my eye, my style, and my ability to make a home feel like an experience. Read more>>

Latovia Myrick

My journey started long before I ever launched a business. I grew up watching strong women work hard, make something out of nothing, and keep their families together no matter what. That foundation shaped everything I do today. Becoming a mother pushed me to think bigger. Read more>>

Astrid Sims

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. Growing up in New Orleans, surrounded by art, music, culture, and so much vibrant energy. I was constantly creating. I took acting classes, music classes, art classes, anything that allowed me to explore my creative interests. Through all of that, I started to understand how I wanted to tell my story. Read more>>

Zachary Dial

Honestly, Future Monsters started the same way most of my creative stuff does… as a hobby I took way too seriously. I was a skater punk growing up, and it turned out it wasn’t just a phase. I was influenced early on by rock n roll rebellion, Thrasher magazine, skaters like Jim Greco and Corey Duffel, and that whole punk rock DIY attitude. Read more>>

Tamika Grimes

I often say that I didn’t choose my career—my career chose me. I grew up in a loving single-parent home, surrounded by care and support from relatives who made sure I always felt protected. At the same time, many of my extended family members struggled with addiction. Because of that, I was exposed at a young age to grief, loss, and domestic violence. Read more>>

Ve’lesa Dunlap

I was born in Albany, Georgia and raised in a small town tucked into the quiet fields of Southwest Georgia. Ours was a home where cultures intertwined — my mother from the Philadelphia area, my father from Jamaica, and me, the lone Peach in the house. Read more>>

JESSICA PILLEN

I have always had a creative side, always. Dabbling in the arts in various genres of my life led me to have a plethora of hobbies. I always say I don’t need another hobby! And then I have one. I fell in love with these unique, custom hats. Hats. I seen popping up in the fashion industry. Read more>>

Kiara Busssey

I’ve always believed there’s more than one way up the mountaintop. If something doesn’t work for me, I just find a new route — especially if I know that calling is mine. I’m not afraid to start over, switch paths, or build something from scratch. Because when I know God placed something on my heart, I trust that it’s for me. Read more>>

Shaun Harris

Absolutely. My journey began long before I ever imagined it would become my life’s work. I was born and raised in Chicago, and my passion for teaching showed up early—at just 13 years old, I began working with children. That early exposure led me to study Early Childhood Development, and from there, doors began opening. Read more>>

Sebrena Sumrah-Kelly

I am a Native of Guyana, South America. I relocated to Atlanta in 2002 with my daughter Amani, with a couple of job prospects and resided with one of my mom’s friend. Read more>>

Kai Winborne

𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚, 𝐆𝐀. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬, 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐈 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟑 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝟔 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.  Read more>>

Virginia Fulton

It’s interesting when I think how I got started helping people using intuitive guidance. It isn’t something I went to school for or took courses in, nor did I read books to learn how to become an intuitive consultant or energy worker. What I do can be summed up in one way – it is who I am. Read more>>

Erin Barger

My unique gift is to invest compassion and create belonging, while embracing accountability and transparency, It has been a sacred honor for me to lead for more than 20 years now. Every day has been an opportunity to bear witness to humans doing more and better together than they ever imagined doing alone. Read more>>

Stephanie Engelerdt

My journey with this began in 2019 when I read an article about an incredible organization transforming the rooms and living spaces of children who had experienced abuse. Read more>>

Jordan Cunnings

Surprisingly, I began my work in interior design while in the nonprofit world. I worked for a residential program in northeast Georgia helping children and families that was located on a large campus. After working there 15 years, I began with simple things like picking paint colors and over the next 2-3 years I worked on multiple remodeling and new building projects. Read more>>

Lauren Ferguson

My journey with SlimThick Vegan began long before I ever imagined starting a business. In fourth grade, my favorite teacher, Ms. Paul, had us write and publish our own books. My story was titled “The Labor Saving Juice Making Machine,” about a talking juice machine my mom invented that flooded our house with juice. Read more>>

Dr. Maria Byrd

Dr. Maria Byrd is a woman of God, Prophet, motivational speaker, author, radio show host, music artist, Christian Counselor, and entrepreneur just to name a few. Residing in Atlanta, GA with her husband, Dr. Eric Byrd, and their three beautiful children, she carries a global passion to spread the truth of God’s Word and inspire transformation through faith and practical empowerment. Read more>>

Dr. Nicole LaBeach

I was born to Caribbean parents with an incredibly high work ethic, but neither of them were able to go to college. From very early on, I understood that education would be a key part of my living up to my potential and cultivating my gifts. That understanding led me to a pivotal decision: Where I would go to school. Read more>>

Laqueda Irvin

I was 18yrs old when I started doing hair . I had my 1st & only child & I had to begin to think quick on how to make quick money but I had to use my passion & that was doing hair . Couple year later I begin to work in my 1st beauty shop then my clientale begin to grow. Read more>>

Pharaoh Patterson

My story starts at 14 when I first watched Ink Master and realized tattooing wasn’t just art. It was a form of transformation. I grew up drawing and pulling inspiration from anime, mythology, and pop culture, but tattooing became the place where all of those influences finally came together. The journey hasn’t been easy or straightforward. Read more>>

Erin Collins

I’ve always been a creative person, but figuring out what I actually wanted to pursue as a career was a real struggle. Imposter syndrome hit me hard, and for much of my early twenties, I let it dictate my choices. Eventually, I started feeling this deep void in my gut. Call it existential dread, call it misalignment, it doesn’t really matter. Read more>>

Bryon Heath

Bryon Heath, a proud native of Atlanta, Ga is a loving father of 3, a beloved educator, a cutting-edge visionary, and motivational speaker. Bryon accepted Christ at an early age and remains steadfast in being a disciple despite the myriad of doctrines available since accepting his call into ministry in 2017. Throughout his life, Bryon has always loved God and football. Read more>>

Mary Blake

I started this journey long before I ever realized it was a journey. I’ve always been a storyteller, writing poems and short stories as a child, creating little worlds on notebook paper, and dreaming about the lives of the characters I made up. Even then, God was planting seeds. Life has taken me through many seasons, highs and lows, yet I remain victorious. Read more>>

Natasha Goodman

I’ve been in business for 5 years and although I love being an entrepreneur now, I was terrified of getting started. I registered my private practice in 2016 and was just paying my annual fees and wondering when I will take the leap. Read more>>

Ingrin Clark

My love for hair started at 9, playing with a Bratz doll head and imagining all the styles I could create. After turning 18, I got my first real salon experience as a shampoo assistant, and that’s when I knew working with hair was my calling. Read more>>

Apollonia Fortuna

I came to Atlanta when I was 30 years old, from growing up in New York City as an immigrant from Argentina with a mystical South American upbringing training. I fell in love with the nature, and began to study spiritually through yoga, Buddhism and deeper philosophies such as Alice Bailey and Eckhart Tolle. Read more>>

Ivana Garcia

My story really began when I was about five years old. I used to put on little fashion shows for my parents, and somewhere in those moments I picked up blush and mascara for the first time—and I was naturally good at it. I remember feeling something light up inside me. Ever since then, that same light has stayed with me. Read more>>

Krissy Lawrence

My hair journey started long before I ever thought of it as a business. I originally became a licensed cosmetologist in 2018 because I genuinely love making women feel confident. But like a lot of people, life shifted. I became a mom, priorities changed, and I stepped away from the beauty industry for a while to focus on family and stability. Read more>>

Jaecena Howell

I was always very business minded and focused on becoming wealthy. I truly started when I began connecting and networking with like minded individuals who were interested in entrepreneurship and building wealth. What started as casual conversations about business and entrepreneurship, soon became business deals and contracts that resulted in a successful business. Read more>>

Javier Rivera

I’ve been tattooing for the last 18 years. I started out in a small town in Delaware. The business was much different then it is now. But I worked in several shops throughout Delaware for about 6 years. After that I moved to Atlanta (The first time) for about 2 years. Then I left again and went to Philadelphia. Read more>>

Natalie Moreno

During my time in undergrad at the University of West Georgia, I took the pathway of completing an art program. I originally planned to study graphic design; however, I leaned into 3D art and decided to fully immerse myself in studying sculpture. From there, I was exposed to the many things I could do with sculpture and learned a variety of trade skills. Read more>>

Rodney Kinlaw

Football has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up watching my uncle, Courtney Brown, become the No. 1 NFL Draft pick from Penn State, and my cousin Joe Hamilton finish as a Heisman runner-up at Georgia Tech. Their journeys inspired me to chase my own path in football. Read more>>

Destiny Feemster

My journey began at North Carolina Central University, where I earned my degrees in Finance and Marketing, and developed a deep passion for lifelong learning and community building. After graduating, I went on to earn my Master’s in Education, and began my career as an educator, where I realized the power of storytelling and how it can shape young minds. Read more>>

Cherry Chandra

I started my mural journey in 2015, after moving from Indonesia to the US, with a love for bold colors, organic shapes, and storytelling rooted in culture and nature. What began as illustration quickly evolved into large-scale murals that allowed me to connect with people in a powerful and public way. Read more>>

Barris Foust

After 15 years as a corporate chef I found myself feeling very stagnant and unfulfilled. I was burned out from working 14-15 days straight, with a minimum of 90 hours a week! Needless to say, I was burned out. So I made the scary decision to end a career that I had known for so long and start something new! Read more>>

Solomon Franks

I started out doing plays as a kid, writing my own movies where I would play all the characters and disguise my voice for each character. It was a way to free my mind and keep me entertained especially if I was on punishment and my game and toys was taken away as a kid. Read more>>

Whitney Bennett

Since I was born I’ve had two driving persistent consistent passions that defines who I am. The first is to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch everything I can possibly find for the purpose of figuring out how things work. The second is to create art in all forms including painting, acting, music, dance, poetry, sculpture, and creative writing. Read more>>

Kas Arkbar

I started off as an artist who had a producer i knew from highschool. I was more of a battle rapper then. My favorite artist was Redman so i flowed similar to him. Me and my producer wound up going to college together and thats what shaped some of my ideas and perspective on creating music. Read more>>

Andrew Hoersch

I began my career entirely by accident — the best accident that could have ever happened, though some would probably call it destiny. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with cameras. As a kid, I played with cheap camcorders and pocket cameras — anything I could get my hands on. My real journey began in early 2015. Read more>>

Hadiyah Weaver

Hi! Since our last feature, the journey has accelerated. I’m a storyteller at heart, originally from Memphis. My career began in broadcast journalism as a TV News Producer and in digital marketing at the National Civil Rights Museum. That foundation taught me how to find the core of a narrative and connect it with an audience. Read more>>

Jamese Allen

Hello, I am Jamese Allen. I was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama. I have two Master’s Degrees, both from The Alabama State University. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling the world, and educating myself. Growing up, my mom taught me everything she knew about finances, and I knew I wanted to take it even further. Read more>>

Jessica Manning

My story is a tapestry of Atlanta grit, Southern sophistication, and a lifelong love for storytelling and connection. I was born and raised in Atlanta, and even as a young girl, I had a natural gift for bringing people together and helping them see what’s possible. Read more>>

Sommer Walker

I am 22 years old, the youngest of four, and I was born and raised in Georgia. I have always loved being both in front of and behind the camera. From a young age, I was drawn to YouTube, singing my favorite songs, and expressing myself creatively in any way I could. Read more>>

Candace N Lee

It happened on a quiet stretch of beach, before I had any idea that my life was about to change. I was simply dancing with the water moving instinctively, letting the waves pull me forward and back like a partner who knew the rhythm better than I did. Unbeknownst to me, the director I was traveling with watched from a distance, camera in hand. Read more>>

Amanda (Mengda) Li

I grew up with a deep love for drawing, but I never imagined it would become a real career path for me. For a long time, art was simply something I did quietly on the side — a way to process my emotions and understand the world. Read more>>

Dr. Eddie Hackler III

Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Eddie Hackler III is a board certified cardiologist and author currently practicing in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed his cardiology fellowship at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, building upon a robust foundation in internal medicine earned at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas. Read more>>

Alicia Houston

I’ve always been drawn to creating experiences that bring people together, especially in ways that celebrate culture and community. Early in my career, I realized that most events were transactional—they provided a service or entertainment, but rarely left a lasting impact. I wanted to change that. Read more>>

Schneise Green

Well , what started out as a solo business Diamond Kut Catering back in 2000 was the beginning of me (Schneise ) doing what I loved to do which is feed people and watching them enjoy it as well. In 2013 I met my now husband Damian Green and he has been there every step of the way. Read more>>

Austin Usher

I grew up in Woodstock most of my life. When my mom remarried into a military family, I moved around a bit. I moved to Marietta, Acworth, Colorado Springs, and then finally back to Canton. I made some incredible connections everywhere I went that I keep very close to me. I have had pretty much every job under the sun. Read more>>

David Mason

I began exploring the entertainment and production industry after relocating to Atlanta from Florida in April 2015. Once I settled in Atlanta, I started singing at my local church, The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta. As I grew more acquainted with Atlanta’s gospel scene, I recognized a demand for support in production and for local artists. In November 2015, I established LC Management. Read more>>

Gabriel Allen

Born in Roswell , I started making music in middle school after watching my dad and older cousins doing it. Then by junior year of highschool I was doing shows selling tickets at school. I also played football up until that point but decided to really focus on the music once I seen what I could do. Read more>>

India Williams

My story in aviation began with my desire to build a career that blended service, strategy, and high-level client relationships. Read more>>

Lexie Greene

I started dancing when I was just two years old, and honestly, it’s been the core of my identity ever since. I grew up training in every style and I spent my summers in Los Angeles training at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. Read more>>

Eric Benford II

I specialize in cinematic storytelling. My music has an emotional, melodic edge, and the visuals I create are designed to feel like short films—bold, dramatic, and intentional. What I’m most proud of is that I’ve developed all of these skills on my own. Every video, every photo, every set, every edit, every song—my hands are on all of it. That independence taught me how to communicate emotion through both sound and imagery. Read more>>

Samaira (Aviance) Harley

Funny enough, my creative path didn’t flourish until post Covid. I’ve always been a creative at heart, but the year 2021 really changed the game for me. Growing up, I was always be surrounded by people who had typical lives (your standard 9-5 job, starting a family, and having the same routine every day). Read more>>

MacFour

We are MacFour, a music group of 4 brothers who originated in Baltimore,Maryland, now working on a new project stay tuned to what’s in store. Read more>>

Reup Tray

Hard work & dedication Read more>>

Cara Thurman

I founded Vinings Massage & Wellness (VMW) in 2012 with a vision to create a space where skilled, compassionate touch could make a lasting difference in people’s lives. My inspiration came not only from years as a massage therapist but also from my own lifelong experience as a congenital heart patient — having undergone multiple open-heart surgeries beginning in infancy. Read more>>

Ali Silva Chapellin

In 1996, I moved to the US from Venezuela. That year, I worked in a Mexican restaurant for the first time in my life. The experience was successful, and I ended up working there a year later as the general manager. Subsequently, I was involved in the opening of a restaurant from its inception and managed it for three years. Read more>>

Ashley Harris

I started my professional clinical journey to become a licensed therapist in 2009. I have always believed that the health of the mind is just as essential as physical well-being, and this belief has guided my work throughout my career. I found immense joy in watching clients reach their goals through intentional, targeted treatment plans designed to support their growth and healing. Read more>>

Indiah Johnson

I’ve always been a creative soul, finding joy in art, fashion, music, and entertainment since childhood. Growing up in a family of creatives, I was constantly inspired to pursue a career that would allow me to monetize my skills and talents. This led me to become a master cosmetologist, but not without a 15-year journey. Read more>>

Kemi Bennings

Somewhere between watching my mother in the kitchen, PBS television cooking shows and easy bake ovens, I unearthed my culinary artist. Years later in 2004, I launched Food For Thought, a unique culinary concept of Southern-Asian fusion offering gourmet vegan-vegetarian lunch, which led to my becoming personal chef to Tyler Perry, Ceicly Tyson, Kimberly Elise, and Jenifer Lewis to name a few. Read more>>

Devon Vander Voort

I started my company in 2023, we are now based between New York and Georgia. We have recently expanded to Atlanta! Read more>>

DeJunae Dominique

DeJunae Dominique, originally from the First State, founded the Laila Nicole Foundation in response to her own personal trauma. Her mission is to raise awareness about menstrual health among women and young ladies of color. By breaking down long-standing barriers, DeJunae hopes that her efforts will help ensure that no other woman has to endure the pain she once experienced Read more>>

Travial McCall

I got my start in real estate through property management as a leasing consultant back in 2015. Ever since I was a kid I would adore accompanying my grandmother to run her business errands while discussing numbers on the phone with her appraiser or lender. I would hear them discussing HUGE figures and assessing risks when it came to investment properties she was considering acquiring. Read more>>

Amanda Carroll

While in college I took the NASAM CPT course and began personal training at the Georgia Southern campus gym. As well as teaching crossfit classes at Fit Statesboro The Garage. After graduating I came back home and worked for some commercial gyms in the area and was a Technician at Benchmark Physical therapy. Read more>>

Kristin Cheatwood

As a kid, I always took my camera EVERYWHERE. I was the unofficial elementary school photographer. During my childhood my Father, who worked for Honda, took me along to every professional motocross race around the country. I had taken interest in photographing the racers and was the only female on the track! Read more>>

J Le’Anthony

So at first I started writing poetry. I didn’t really like poetry all the way. I felt as if it wouldn’t have/make any real impact globally. I took a major interest in black history when I was younger. Specifically I started learning more about MLK, Malcolm X, and Marcus Garvey. Read more>>

Tiffany Glover

My journey started long before I opened the doors to Infinite Peace Counseling. I’ve always been the person people came to for support, reassurance, and clarity, even before I realized it could become my life’s work. Over the years, I found myself deeply drawn to helping people navigate difficult transitions. Read more>>

Sharon Lezama

I began my journey by holding personal development classes, driven by a lifelong fascination with how the mind works. At the time, I was already leading a business consulting firm, which I continue to own today. While working with wonderful clients, I noticed a profound difference: some followed the blueprint they were given and achieved success, while others remained stagnant year after year. Read more>>

Wakkirea Levatte

I’ve always been passionate about art. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be an artist. Creating came naturally to me .As a kid, I was always drawing, painting, and finding ways to turn my imagination into something real. Art became my safe space — a way to express feelings I couldn’t always put into words. Read more>>

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>>