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.
Shevann Steuben
I’m a proud native of San Francisco, a city that shaped my worldview long before I had language for leadership, equity, or systems change. Growing up there meant living at the intersection of innovation and inequality, where opportunity and exclusion often coexist. From an early age, I became aware of who had access, who didn’t, and how deeply systems influence life outcomes. Read more>>
Khushi Patel
My journey began with XVI, which grew out of a personal desire to simplify self-care and reconnect with intention. I found myself overwhelmed by excess, too many products, too much noise, and wanted a more thoughtful, sustainable approach to beauty. That vision led to the creation of AURORA, a multi-use nourishing oil designed for hair, face, and body. Read more>>
Ruma Kashoro
My story really starts with my family being from Tanzania. Growing up, I was surrounded by multiple cultures, the food, the fashion, the etiquette, the music, the art. That exposure sparked a deep curiosity in me about how culture shapes the way we live and connect, and food became my entry point into understanding all of that. Read more>>
Marilyn Gregory
Breaking the Cycle: How Defining Love Healed Me—and Became My Calling By Marilyn Gregory My story began in Coosa, Georgia, when I was a little girl watching something no child should ever have to witness. Day after day, year after year, I watched my father physically, verbally, and emotionally abuse my mother—until she finally found the strength to leave. Read more>>
Lemuel ‘Life’ LaRoche
Poetry was my first refuge. Before titles, before programs, before systems, poetry was how I survived the world. It gave me language when life felt overwhelming and offered healing when silence felt safer than speaking. Words became a place where I could breathe. Years later, as a therapist, I found myself sitting across from families who were exhausted. Read more>>
Andrea Madison
I began my first small business, ‘You Cracked Me Up ‘ in 2014, selling fresh eggs from my own chickens. As my passion for homemade foods grew. I launched a second venture in 2019: Mrs. M’s HomeMade Baked Goods. I started as a vendor at various farmers markets, sharing my Baked goods with local customers and building a reputation for quality and authenticity. Read more>>
Niquitta Wolfe
Everything I do as far as modeling, acting, music etc. started in my hometown of Jackson, MS. I was always participating in plays or showcases even as a child. When I moved to GA, I lost my job and auditioned to be a background actress for Step Up Highwater and I’ve been acting ever since. Read more>>
Jamie James
Becoming a mama is hands-down the most magical thing I’ve ever done… and also the most terrifying. When I was pregnant with my oldest, Jessica, there were classes for everything—CPR, birth classes, how to keep a tiny human alive classes. It was even where my husband changed his very first diaper. Read more>>
Maedeh Samimi
When I was in my early twenties, I developed grade three cystic acne. As a makeup artist, I did what I knew best—I covered it up. Day after day, I masked my skin with foundation and concealer, convincing myself that if no one could see my breakouts, they didn’t really exist. But they did. Read more>>
Simone Butler
I think being an entrepreneur was always written in my DNA; I’ve always had this creative spark and a desire to build something of my own. My journey actually started out of a season of unpredictability—I was tired of the instability of traditional jobs and knew I needed to win back my time. Read more>>
Areigna Preston
I struggled early on. Growing up poor I didn’t have money for college, so I took every job I could get my hands on to learn and understand what type of job would work best for me. I was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder after my youngest son was also diagnosed. Read more>>
Christina Kanu-Allen
Christina Kanu Consulting was founded in 2016 from a passion for storytelling, creativity, and helping people understand the power of their own brands. While completing graduate school and navigating life as a new mother, Christina Kanu launched the agency with a clear purpose to help individuals and small businesses define their voices, tell their stories with clarity, and build brands rooted in authenticity and intention. Read more>>
Danessa Claye
My love for travel and exploring the wonders of the world gave birth to a business that I hold very near and dear to my heart. As a child, I was fortunate enough to be raised in a household where travel was normalized. Read more>>
LaKesa McGraw
My journey started with a leap of faith and a deep desire to help people grow. I began my career in Human Resources, where over the past 11+ years, I’ve had the opportunity to support employees and leaders across talent development, employee relations, training, and systems implementation. Along the way, I discovered that my true passion sat at the intersection of people, purpose, and leadership. Read more>>
Kimberley Gross
I’ve always been a storyteller, even before I knew what to call it. Writing has been a constant in my life—first as a personal outlet, then as a way to process my experiences, my culture, and the world around me. Read more>>
April Batterman
My name is April Batterman and I was born in Lubbock, TX but grew up mostly in the surrounding suburbs of Atlanta. Most my family is from Buffalo, NY. I have my own esthetics business April Marie Aesthetics in downtown Decatur, GA and have worked in the spa industry for 25 years. I enjoy powerlifting and have been lifting since 2021. Read more>>
Catherine Schultz
Studio YAY! is an award-winning Atlanta-based design house known for its bold, elevated approach to architecture, interiors, and bespoke objects. Founded by Catherine Schultz, Studio YAY! creates architecture, interiors, and objects that feel deeply personal and a little unexpected. They mix vintage influence, natural materials, and joyful accents — from built environments to custom shell purses. Read more>>
Angel Williams
I’ve always had a passion for helping others, and I found that physical therapy was the perfect intersection of my interests in science, health, and human connection. My journey began with a strong desire to understand how the body works, which led me to pursue a degree in biology, with a minor in chemistry. Read more>>
Charleston Parker
No Fear Society started as more than just a clothing brand. It began as a mindset. I created it during a time when fear, doubt, and outside noise could’ve easily stopped me from chasing my goals. Instead of letting that happen, I decided to turn everything I was feeling into something people could wear and stand behind. Read more>>
Roberto Small
My career in hospitality began in 2009 at the Chart House, where I started as a host at just 17 years old. I began in the front of the house, but I was constantly learning from and spending time with the servers. As soon as I turned 18, I was promoted to server, a role I held through my high school graduation. Read more>>
Annie Obasih
My daughter, Navada, learned that I had made my own homemade syrup one day. I had shared that I had run out and made my own, after making my pancakes one Sunday. I definitely didn’t want to eat them dry! Navada asked me had I always know how to do that and I said yes. Read more>>
Stoney Pebbles
Big Black Biscuit is a cultural streetwear brand and full-service skateboard shop rooted in resilience, creativity, and authenticity. Founded by a lifelong skateboarder born in Milwaukee in 1973, the brand carries a unique legacy — from ten years as a punk rock roadie across California and Arizona to finding permanent roots in Atlanta at the dawn of Y2K. Read more>>
JERRIMIAH JAMES
Jerrimiah James is a private luxury image advisory serving executives, founders, and public figures who understand that personal style is not aesthetic — it is authority infrastructure. Read more>>
Paul Fenin Jr
I got started with a whole lot in different eras of my life honestly. Read more>>
Daija Binion
2025 was a year of walking into my purpose. I decided to walk away from continuing my career as an Orthopedic Technician to finally going after my dream career. A full time Fitness Coach and Track coach. I gained both my personal training and GHSA coach certifications in early 25. Read more>>
Jacoby Ponder
I’m Chef Jacoby J. Ponder—founder of Chefpreneur Academy—and my story is really about turning pressure into purpose, and experience into a pathway for other people. I started out in kitchens the way a lot of us do: hungry, determined, and willing to do the work that nobody wants to do. Read more>>
KNP Mar-Q
I started when I was young as 10 years old me and my older sister started making our own music. It was a long journey to where I am today a lot of open mics and free shows to get my name out there. Read more>>https://voyageatl.com/interview/life-work-with-knp-mar-q-of-louisville-kentucky
Linda Medd
As long as I can remember, I’ve been a maker, collector, and lover of the unique and unusual. Although creativity was always part of who I was, choosing art as a career never seemed like a realistic option. Instead, I earned a degree in business and spent many years working in corporate marketing and advertising. Read more>>
Bri Toria
I began singing in church chorus and throughout high school, where my voice and love for music first took shape. Finding my way back to myself — through dedication, self-belief, and growth — is what brought me to where I am today. Every step of my journey is rooted in faith in my voice and commitment to my truth. Read more>>
Lauren Overton-Kirk
I always say I started in events when I was 18, but, truthfully, I worked my first event at 5. My mother always hosted these huge family Christmas parties (we’re at 70 family members and still going strong), and that was the first of many years I became her trusted assistant. Read more>>
Pree Guise
Everything started with me wanting to understand what my purpose is. I kept asking myself, What’s really for me? What can I do that actually feels fun and aligned? That curiosity led me to explore different creative paths like hosting, videography, motivational speaking, and mindset coaching. Each one taught me something valuable, and I grew through them, but I still felt like something was missing. Read more>>
Beverley Maxwell
I began to recognize my gift in 2019 as I moved from my family and began to buy flowers for my home. I have always had the gift of hospitality. Growing up in a large family we always had events and I began to learn the art of food and table settings at the age of 13. Read more>>
Tony Fason jr
I was born to perform and inspire. I Love God, I Love people and I Love to make a difference by inspiring people. Especially the people who come from poverty stricken communities with little to no resources. My first love was football I am still currently a member of the Memphis Flag football league for the 10th consecutive year. Read more>>
John Hanrahan
PrivateTraining was built from a lifelong commitment to performance, resilience, and helping people become stronger at every stage of life. My background began in competitive athletics as a Penn State wrestler, where I learned early that discipline, consistency, and proper training create long-term results. After college, my career took an unexpected turn into international modeling and travel, but fitness remained my anchor. Read more>>
Arshbro
What began as late nights making music with friends in a house slowly turned into something much bigger. As a teenager, his love for music was constant, a passion that followed him through every phase of life. A few years ago, he made the decision to stop treating music as just a hobby and start taking it seriously. Read more>>
Marwyn Allen
About Marwyn Allen Marwyn Allen is an Information Security professional, entrepreneur, and founder of multiple companies, including 15X Business Solutions, 15X Financial Solutions, Allen’s InfoSec Agency, 15X Prints, and BizTech EDU. He specializes in automations, cybersecurity, CRM development, operations, and strategic scaling. He currently resides in Atlanta, GA. Read more>>
Lakendra Ford
I’m an author, entertainer, and entrepreneur, but first, I’m a wife and a mother. I was raised between Brooklyn, New York and Connecticut, a child with a vivid imagination who found refuge and power in reading and writing. Words were my first language. Read more>>
Monique Gill
I started Moknowsbest from a personal need for creative expression and emotional understanding after my parents’ divorce. Storytelling became the space where I learned to process emotions and find my voice. Years later, while teaching middle school broadcasting, I saw that many students were carrying similar emotional experiences without the tools or language to express them. Read more>>
Niecey Josey
Vinrelo began her career behind the scenes in the fashion industry, navigating the fast-paced world of commercial styling with an eye for detail and a drive for innovation. From coordinating on-set productions to building relationships with professionals, she quickly developed a reputation for precision, hardwork, and strategic thinking. The Covid-19 pandemic became a turning point. Read more>>
Danial Niazi
English was the only class in school I excelled at with little effort, but I was always told that I should be a doctor from a young age. Before college entertainment was always something I imagined myself doing, but I felt embarrassed telling my father I dont want to be a doctor. I want to be a comedian and write for TV and Film. Read more>>
Caryn Nash
I’ve always been an artist, but I’ve had to go down several roads to find the right creative lane. I’m grateful for the detours and wrong exits along the way. I’ve grown because of them. I’m a trained pastry chef with a background in textile design. I moved here from New York City with my husband, an Atlanta native, in 2004. Read more>>
Carter Ledford
My journey really started as a music producer when I was around 13 years old. This is when the stage name ‘Sxream’ was created. I grew up in Atlanta and always loved music, but I also had a strong passion for video. Over time, I naturally transitioned from music production into more video-based work. Read more>>
Sally Macaulay
My professional background is in Advertising and Marketing. I joined the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art Board of Directors and, in 2008, was encouraged by the Board to apply for the position of Executive Director. Once appointed, my primary focus was to increase attendance and visibility for the Museum. Read more>>
Cedric Washington
Originally from Tampa Florida I’ve always had a love for media and entertainment. Moving to Atlanta in 2018 I was able to sharpen my skills and grow from being shy and in the background to developing my own podcast Ced talk. Later when my business parnter Casey diggs relocated to Atlanta we both came up with the concept of Pop out magazine. Read more>>
Anna Baxter
Growing up my parents empowered me to be and do anything I wanted to do. They supported my curious, creative mind and encouraged me to be my authentic self. When I grew up and realized how rigid gender norms and monogamy can be, I realized how much of a blessing they had given me. Read more>>
Tiana Pink
When I was a little girl I had HUGE DREAMS ! To be a movie star and a Disney Star! I wanted that more than anything on earth and for years I wished, prayed, searched, for castings or a miracle opportunity that never came. My first cousin and I are so close in age that we became sister from the beginning. Read more>>
Ameriah (Sydney) Moon
I began my journey as a stay-at-home mother with two children under the age of two. Like many women, I poured everything I had into caring for others—often at the expense of myself. One day, I found myself lying in bed, unable to get up despite the long list of responsibilities waiting for me. I remember thinking, “I can’t afford to be sick and tired. Read more>>
Jordan Cohen
I usually joke that my path here wasn’t exactly planned. I started out in the Army, which gave me a strong sense of discipline and how important good systems are when things actually matter. After that, I moved into the business world and eventually became an entrepreneur, building and running a B2B apparel company that sold to retail chains and events. Read more>>
Nkiru Anyagaligbo
PrimePath Consulting was born out of a gap I kept seeing firsthand. After nearly a decade working across pharma, biotech, and digital strategy—spanning consulting, agency, and in-house roles—I noticed that many organizations had access to data, but not clarity. Insights were siloed, strategy was reactive, and leaders often struggled to translate information into confident decisions. Read more>>
Betsey Darley
Alpharetta, Milton, Cumming Connect Moms started 7 years ago when my family and I moved from the Fairfax, Virginia / DC area to Alpharetta and didn’t know anyone. I enjoy people, families, and meaningful relationships, so starting over in a new city with our littles felt especially isolating. So I decided to create a Facebook Group and page. Read more>>
Robiann Robinson
We started Robbie’s Nailbar with a clear intention: to deliver high-quality nail care without cutting corners. What began as a small, hands-on operation grew through consistency, discipline, and a strong focus on nail health and client experience. Over time, our commitment to doing things the right way set us apart. Read more>>
King Spydamann
Born in Plainfield, NJ, and raised in Decatur, Georgia, I began my professional music journey after living in Clair-mel City, Florida. My friends and I used to rap in Decatur, but it wasn’t until I moved to Florida that I started taking it seriously. Read more>>
Darell Pickett
Long story short I ran into a child hood friend that had over 100k and averaged over 5 Million views and he got me into the whole content creator field Read more>>
Sharice Henry Lamb
I actually got my start in theater at Commerce High School. My cheerleading instructor, Mrs. Myrna Bass, was also my theater arts teacher, and one day she encouraged me to audition for the UIL One Act Play. I decided to give it a try — and ended up landing the lead female role. Read more>>
Lia Hur
I’m originally from Seoul, South Korea, and I moved to the U.S. to study interior design at SCAD, where I earned my BFA in Interior Design and later completed my MA in Sustainable Design. Before finishing my undergraduate degree, I gained early professional experience working as an intern and assistant designer in Hong Kong and Korea. Read more>>
Charles Allen
I had one of those childhoods like many did in the ’70s with a broken family and an absent father. From a very young age, I wanted to be a father. I was interested in the process of the transfer of knowledge: how do you bring someone into the world? How do you orient them to that world? Read more>>
Christie Garton
My journey started well before founding my nonprofit in 2016, called 1,000 Dreams Fund. I got my start in the nonprofit world when I was attending the University of Kansas at age 19. Here, I created an organization called Music Mentors, which paired professional musicians with students who lacked access to formal music education. Read more>>
Cashé Arrielle
I started my journey in communications and storytelling out of a genuine love for the ‘underdog’. I always wanted to help visionaries with their brand clarity, visibility, positioning and influence. Early on, I realized I had a natural ability to connect the dots between a person’s purpose and how it shows up publicly, whether through messaging, media, events, or content. Read more>>
Journee Johnson
I’ve always been drawn to growth, creativity, and self-expression, especially through movement and storytelling. While I built a career in healthcare and became a registered nurse an experience that taught me discipline and resilience. Dance was always something I kept close and personal. Read more>>
Mo Wisdom
My name is Mo Wisdom and I am a Jamaican-American artist, researcher, and cultural worker based in Atlanta, GA. My visual mediums of choice are typically digital art programs, magazine collage, and acrylic paint on canvas. I have 8+ years of experience doing art and graphic design, and 3 years as a social media strategist and manager. Read more>>
