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.
Lulu DePIna
I opened my first Pilates studio in Los Angeles in 2021 with the intention of creating a welcoming, community-rooted space where people could feel strong and supported. What began as one small studio grew into multiple locations across Los Angeles and Long Beach. Read more>>
Brittany Sublett
I am a nurse practitioner, Realtor, and small business owner serving Northwest Georgia. My journey began with humble beginnings as a teen parent, but I was determined that my circumstances would not define my future. Through perseverance, faith, and hard work, I became a college graduate and built a career centered around service and compassion. Read more>>
Shanae Poehner
My journey into cake decorating started with a love for the baking shows I saw on TV. Inspired, I enrolled in culinary school in 2013. After graduating, I got my first job at Highland Bakery in Atlanta, from 2014 to 2017. I then joined Confection Perfection, where I spent nearly seven years refining my skills, and learning everything I could about the wedding industry.. Read more>>
Kenya Cottrell
I didn’t start IamSexyFit Dance and Fitness as a business idea—I started it from a personal need. Like many women, I spent years pouring into my career, my family, and everyone around me, while quietly putting myself last. I was successful on paper, but disconnected from my body and the confident, feminine woman I knew I was meant to be. Movement became my reset. Read more>>
Commissioner Neat Robinson
Commissioner Neat Robinson’s journey into public service is rooted in faith, purpose, and a lifelong commitment to community uplift. Raised with a deep respect for education, service, and leadership, she learned early that true impact comes from stepping forward when others hesitate. Read more>>
Kenneth Raley
My name is Kenneth Paul Raley III. I go by Kenneth because, being the third, all of the good nicknames were already taken by my father and grandfather. I was born and raised in the metropolitan Atlanta area and have lived in Georgia for the vast majority of my life. I attended High School at Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Read more>>
Michael Foley
Michael Foley was born in Atlanta and grew up in Buford Georgia. He started his career as a US Navy Hospital Corpsman serving the United States Marine Corps as a frontline medic in numerous units and affiliations within the US Navy & Marine Corps from 2013 to 2023. Read more>>
Dr. Victor Eboh
I am currently the Director of the Polio Eradication Surge Capacity Program at The Task Force for Global Health, but my journey into global public health began in Nigeria, where I spent most of my life before moving to the United States in 2017. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the values of education and integrity, shaping the person I am today. Read more>>
Tammy Cha
I’m a psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and the founder of Tammy Cha Psychotherapy Services. My path has been shaped more by lived experience than by formal training. As a Korean American who grew up in Orlando in an immigrant household, I became the first in my family to graduate from college. Read more>>
Steppin’ Out Performing Arts
Steppin’ Out Performing Arts was originally founded by Cassie Jackson in Arizona in 2007. She then relocated to GA in 2017 and started a sister studio here in Newnan. Classes originally met at the recreation center in Newnan and took off from there. The classes moved to her own one room studio and after three years of growing, Lindsey Archer joined the studio as co-owner. Read more>>
Wynn Pennington
I am an Atlanta native, born in Grady hospital, and have lived in Castleberry Hill since 1988. When I moved here there were very few people here, mostly artists. None of us knew each other, as there was no where to meet your neighbors. Most of the buildings on Peters Street were boarded up allowing us to drive golf balls down the street. Read more>>
Katie English
This is my third career—likely my last, but we’ll see. While I was working as a high school Spanish teacher, my parents decided to open “Old Mill Market,” a bakery and retail store in our hometown. While I loved my five years of teaching, I was ready for something new and exciting. Read more>>
Cheryl Williams
I began my professional journey with a simple but powerful belief: education changes lives. I understood early on that access, opportunity, and the right support systems can make the difference between potential unrealized and purpose fulfilled. That belief has guided every step of my career. Read more>>
Ally Amore
My story is rooted in my faith in Jesus – everything I do flows from that, especially how I show up for the people I photograph. Before stepping fully behind the camera, I was a model. That experience taught me how to pose, how to find the light, and how to help people feel comfortable in front of a lens. Read more>>
Khalil Blount
DJ B3 began rocking house parties in June 2009. My mission was to share some amazing music that was not being played on the radio. These house parties grew to a point where we had 300 people showing up to a double wide trailer in the country. That’s when I knew it was time to become serious about hosting events. Read more>>
Laurie Bell
I started Golf For Change because I saw how golf can do more than improve a swing. Golf builds confidence, teaches discipline, strengthens community, and gives people a sense of purpose. I wanted to create a space where golf was accessible, affordable, and a positive force in people’s lives. Golf For Change began as part of my broader work with Be The Change Charity Foundation. Read more>>
Constance Marie
The Issasistahood Collective started from a personal realization that many women were navigating life changes without intentional, well-rounded support. I saw spaces for social connection, but not enough focused on the whole woman, her personal growth, professional development, wellness, and real-life transitions. That gap pushed me to create what I felt was missing. Read more>>
Rebecca Enslein
I often get asked how I became a photographer. It wasn’t something I sought out; it found me. I began the business when I was in law school. Desperate for a creative outlet from my stifling studies, I turned to photography. I started by doing portraits for professors and friends, and photographed a couple of weddings as well. Read more>>
Meiyanna Cheek
As a community-centered mom who has always been fueled by pouring into youth and passionate about education as a whole, Mission M-Pact began long before I ever officially answered the call during the pandemic and the virtual learning mandate. My journey started at home, where I became my son’s first teacher. Read more>>
Josh Hill
Our Story In Monroe County, families faced a difficult reality: local daycare facilities carried 1–2 year waitlists. For many parents, the lack of safe and reliable childcare meant delaying or sacrificing employment—impacting not only individual households, but our entire local economy. As a small rural county, we were often overlooked by larger “premiere” learning academies. Read more>>
Abigail Heather
I first discovered photography in high school when my parents gave me my first camera and encouraged me to take photos at my little brother’s baseball games. What started as a fun way to capture memories quickly grew into photographing entire teams, and that’s when I realized how much I loved documenting people and real moments. Read more>>
Dr. RJ Verwayne
My career didn’t start in boardrooms. Early on, I specialized in psychological testing and trauma work. I was trained to look beneath the surface — to understand how early experiences shape adult behavior, how the brain adapts to stress, how trauma imprints itself in the nervous system. I worked deeply in neuroscience-informed assessment. I studied patterns. Read more>>
Daniella Petrone
Mend Culture was born from a vision and a prayer—and from witnessing too many unhoused individuals fall through the cracks in Metro Atlanta’s service system. Co-founders Lynique McFaddin (CEO) and Daniella Petrone (CPO) saw the gaps firsthand. They watched people cycle through services without finding lasting stability. They saw the barriers, the broken systems, and the missed opportunities. Read more>>
Melissa Manigault
I’ve been around cameras for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite uncles was a photographer on the side, and some of my fondest memories are sitting beside him for hours in his darkroom, watching images slowly appear in trays of developer. It felt like magic — witnessing someone’s most meaningful moments come to life right before my eyes. Read more>>
Michael Roberson
I come from the construction industry as a project manager for civil site development. I got burned out and I changed jobs and went to academia. My job was made obsolete in academia. I had gone down to Jekyll Island and attended a Shrimp and Grits Festival where I purchased a sauce distributorship and was successful in getting the products in Whole Foods Market. Read more>>
Gloria Jean
My name is Gloria Jean Smith, When I started baking it was Gloria Jean Brownlee. I’m from Griffin Ga, Spaulding County. I live with my grandaddy and grew up in small close-knit community. There was my granddaddy, two uncles and aunts. My mother’s oldest sister… who we called “Muh” was the cake baker in our family. Read more>>
Danielle Anusiem
Danielle Anusiem, otherwise known as Danielle Divine, is a fashion stylist, entrepreneur and former celebrity makeup artist who has worked with award-winning artists Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Marvin Sapp and Israel Houghton. Her work has been featured in Essence Magazine for the Kingsmen Tour and actress LisaRaye McCoy relied on her expert hand during the filming of her 2012 movie, The Promise. Read more>>
Beth Bristow
I’ve been fortunate to work with students and families for over 25 years. In 2005, I founded Beth Bristow Tutorial Services with the goal of offering a highly personalized, intentional approach to tutoring, test preparation, and college planning. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of guiding thousands of students. What I truly love is supporting students during the college planning journey. Read more>>
Chinoel Kendrich
I started at the age of 19 working for Griffith Laboratories and stayed steadfast until 49 years old then went back to school for HVAC and graduated after tow years. Read more>>
Lenore Evans-Jackson
My passion has always been helping others who needed a helping hand here or there. After serving over 30 years in the government sector, I pivoted and finally gained the confidence and courage to enter the home care industry, which has always been a dream of mine. Read more>>
Kishma Walker-Mullix
Founder’s Story & Vision For several years, colleagues consistently encouraged me to pursue teaching and training. They often told me that I possessed the patience, leadership, and clarity needed for such a challenging responsibility. One of my closest friends even offered to invest in my CPR Instructor certification, believing strongly in my ability to build something meaningful. Read more>>
Arthur Johnson
I am that rare bird, a native Atlantan—born at Piedmont Hospital in the mid-sixties and grew up in Garden Hills at a time when I could ride my bike to Lenox Square with my dog running alongside and leave them both outside a side door while I went inside for a short spell (probably to hit the video arcade). Read more>>
Lexi Whipple
Delightfull Donuts was created from a place of passion, creativity, and a love for bringing joy to others through sweets. What started as me simply experimenting in my home kitchen quickly turned into something much bigger. I’ve always enjoyed baking, but donuts became my specialty — not just making them taste good, but making them look and feel like an experience. Read more>>
LAKWESHIA EWING
I was born and raised in Memphis in a family of preachers, teachers, and entrepreneurs, so I grew up at the intersection of faith, community, and hustle. From an early age I could see systems … how people, resources, and opportunities connected … and that perspective shaped the way I approached leadership and business. Read more>>
Elizabeth Carroll
I started Jude&Jojos Photography in June of 2025, just under five months postpartum with my third baby boy at a time when life already felt full in every possible way. Read more>>
Samuel Smith Jr
This business started in 2005 once I graduated from culinary school. I began selling cake slices across the Metro Atlanta area for six and a half years. This allowed me to save up for my first location in East Point Ga in 2011. We have been growing steadily ever year since then. Read more>>
Meghan Cole-Jones
Over time, the farm has grown from nearly 100 acres to 160 acres, alongside our family and hospitality offerings. Today Kaluna includes five overnight accommodations, a commercial Farm Kitchen, and an event space where we host retreats, gatherings, and seasonal farm-to-table meals. We continue to grow produce, eggs, and value-added products for our local and visiting community, while welcoming guests who want to experience a slower, more intentional way of living. Read more>>
Christina Barnett
After college, I married a fellow photography grad and settled in Monroe, Georgia. I grew A Focused Life Photography with a focus on faith, family and photography. My goal has always been to create calm, fun, and stress-free experiences while capturing real moments. I still show up with the same excitement I had when I first picked up a camera, helping people preserve memories they’ll want forever. Read more>>
Nathanael Rush
I’ve been in the fitness industry for over 10 years, and my journey really started with my own passion for health and performance. Read more>>
David L David
David L David | Entrepreneur • DJ • Producer • Creative Visionary • Booking Agent David L David is a multifaceted entrepreneur and creative force whose work spans fashion, music, media, and entertainment. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, New York, his journey reflects reinvention, cultural influence, and bold creative direction. Read more>>
