Portraits of Atlanta

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.

Jeniece Stewart Dortch

Special Needs Siblings didn’t start as a business idea. It started in my living room. I’m a mom of eight in a blended family, and my oldest son is autistic and has epilepsy. For years, my focus was on therapies, doctor appointments, seizures, IEP meetings survival mode. Read more>>

Kristy Beam

Currently, I am the lead founder and CEO of the Academy for Innovation in Medicine (AIM). AIM is a tuition-free, public charter school in the City of Atlanta designed to prepare students for future healthcare careers. We are working with Grady Health System to ensure we understand industry needs, so that students will be prepared for high demand jobs that are waiting for them. Read more>>

Isaiah Harvey

The Quantum Visionary Foundation was created from my personal journey and my deep commitment to empowering children and families impacted by hearing loss through innovation, education, and community support. I was born with bilateral hearing loss. Read more>>

Joe Salome

After graduating from Kennesaw State University with a degree in business management and a minor in marketing I began a career in marketing. I was a field marketing manager for more than 180 Moe’s Southwest Grill locations. A promotions and social media manager for Sports Talk 790 The Zone. Read more>>

Shanna Miles

I was born in Columbia, South Carolina and attended the University of South Carolina where I obtained a degree from the College of Journalism. I was too scared of grammatical errors to go into newspapers and too afraid of working for corn dog money as a beat reporter to go into broadcast journalism so I went the third option and got into corporate pharmaceutical marketing. Read more>>

River Underwood

Hi, my name is River! Owner and eye behind River Underwood Photography! I began my photography journey in the spring of 2021 after Covid-19’s main impact had passed. Read more>>

Margaret Conley

I am a Licensed Clinical Social worker in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee providing crisis services and trauma-focused clinical therapy. Ttrained as a trauma therapist in EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Adlerian Play Therapy, and Brainspotting. I also work as a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator and LEGO® Serious Play® Facilitator. Read more>>

Finee Taylor

EWELH, Empowering Women by Extending and Lending a Helping Hand, was born from both lived experience and a deep calling to serve women who simply need opportunity, structure, and support to rebuild and thrive. My journey did not begin as an organizational plan. It began with a life-changing situation that forced me to pause and reevaluate everything. Read more>>

Natalia Guarin Gaviria

I was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, and originally built my career in financial management. After graduating in 2015, I worked as a Portfolio Analyst and Administrative Assistant, but deep down I always knew I wanted to experience more of the world and challenge myself in new ways. Read more>>

Maia Rowland

My parents always instilled a love of the arts in me and my sisters growing up. We were engrossed in different styles of music, theatre, books, and other forms regularly and they placed an emphasis on how important the arts were. I started doing theatre in high school and absolutely fell in love with it. Read more>>

Hunter Dorton

We got started as a company in March of 2020, right before the pandemic, and we immediately started trying to sell our products at farmers markets and in retail stores. after attending several classes and workshops that involved farming and Mushrooms we felt like we had a solid foundation for starting our own business. Read more>>

Ben Hardman

My story has never been a straight line. It’s been a long, slow formation process shaped by leadership, faith, failure, and the persistent belief that people are capable of more than they imagine. I started my vocational life in the nonprofit and church world, leading and developing organizations during seasons of rapid growth and significant change. Read more>>

Moses Carroll

I didn’t start out wanting to be a business owner. If I’m being completely honest, I wanted less responsibility and more money. But life has a way of stretching you into purpose. Early on, I saw too many people join gyms and never reach their goals. I watched companies treat people like transactions instead of human beings. Read more>>

Tammary Scott

1. The ‘Friend & Family’ Pricing Trap As a ‘natural giver,’ it feels transactional to charge people you care about. But as you poignantly noted, your generosity shouldn’t come at the expense of your stability. * The Realization: Charging a fair price isn’t just about profit; it’s about business longevity. Read more>>

Carrie “Skyy” McGee

I started Skyy Enterprises in 2017 to create spaces where culture, conversation, and growth could coexist. We produce intentional events and experiences that help people reflect, connect, and move forward in rooms that feel welcoming, elevated, and purposeful. Over the years, I’ve learned what works by testing different formats, atmospheres, and ways to bring people together. Read more>>

Darius Scott

I started modeling a few years ago, building my craft from the ground up while balancing life between Midtown Atlanta and Petersburg, Virginia. It’s been a journey of persistence, growth, and chasing opportunities wherever they come. Read more>>

Tammy Rowe

My journey is really a story of faith, resilience, and determination. I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, where I learned early on the value of hard work, independence, and taking care of the people around me. Those values stayed with me as I grew into adulthood and eventually into motherhood and entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Tiffany Gibson

Tammy and Tiffany, the founders of I Believe I Am College Bound, LLC, are a dynamic mother-daughter duo. Their story is just as impactful. Tammy Montgomery has been an Educator for over 28 years. Her calling is to help students get into College and be successful while there. She started taking her children to college fairs when they were toddlers. Read more>>

Jermaine Harp

I was born and raised in Macon Ga by a single parent in an environment of gang violence and drug activity. Sometimes our living conditions were subpar and below standard. We struggle financially. I had a solid foundation of spiritual women around me. Read more>>

Meric Mizrakli

My passion to heal body naturally and bring balance and maintaining health started 14 years ago. I actively practiced yoga and meditation then I decided to teach it to kids at 2019 and it followed with adults. Another journey began to host wellness retreats, and started to give trainings to feature yoga teacher teachers. Read more>>

Ryan McGown

I was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Growing up, I always had that creative inclination to make art, encouraged further by my parents and especially my dad, who is an artist himself along with his father who was an architect. Read more>>

Marni Bekerman

My grandmother taught me how to play Mahjong when I was 8. I knew it was a game she loved to play and played at least once a week with her friends so I really wanted to learn. I didn’t play consistently after that, but I learned again right before the pandemic and then again right after. Read more>>

Grace Ogbomo

Sometimes purpose does not arrive all at once. Sometimes it unfolds quietly over time. For much of my professional life, my world was centered in business and leadership. I built my career in the corporate space, leading complex initiatives and helping organizations translate vision into execution. I have always believed in excellence and discipline, and my academic path reflected that commitment. Read more>>

Chrissy Rice

About Chrissy Rice Wellness Chrissy Rice Wellness was born from a deep calling to help others return to balance, body, mind, and spirit. What began as Reiki sessions has evolved into a more intuitive and integrative approach to healing. Today, I offer private Energy Alignment Therapy sessions that blend energy work, sound healing, intuitive guidance, herbal wisdom, and grounded nervous system support. Read more>>

Taryn Patton

I took up a pottery class that my Grandmother traded services for the summer after I graduated highschool. I got to learn in a private environment with one-on-one instruction- something I will always be grateful for. Eventually, I started slowly building my own small home studio out of a 10×6 area in my little one car garage, once my instructor moved out of state. Read more>>

Charles Brewer

I’ve always had a passion for helping people. With extensive knowledge and interest in properties, my dream of becoming a real estate professional became a reality. As a licensed real estate pro, I aim to help people and families purchase their dream property. My wife’s cleaning business, Clean Space Clean Mind LLC, has been thriving for 4 years, and we offer move-in/move-out cleans too. Read more>>

Monesha “Moe” Haynes

What sets me apart is my top-tier customer service and the comfortability I create for every client. I make it a priority that everyone I work with not only looks their best but feels their best. I’m most complimented on my posing — knowing how to guide people naturally so nothing feels forced or awkward. My sessions aren’t just about taking pictures; they’re about creating an experience where confidence shows up in every frame. Read more>>

Yuk Hei Ho

That same instinct carries into how I find inspiration. My approach to ideation rarely starts within the category I’m designing for. If I’m building a brand identity for a pet company, I’m more likely to be drawing from the visual language of fashion houses than from anything in that space. I find that the most interesting work comes from pulling references that have no obvious reason to be there, and finding a way to make them feel like they always belonged. Read more>>

Shareef Jones

Clark Atlanta University” where we highlight the heart of HBCU athletics by taking viewers inside the culture, the grind, and the untold stories of student-athletes—showcasing what it really takes to balance school, sports, and life while representing their university and community with pride. Read more>>

Ricky Patel Rima Bhula

Our journey into Prime IV Hydration & Wellness began long before we signed a franchise agreement. Professionally, our backgrounds are rooted in healthcare, hospitality, and business strategy—years spent analyzing health systems and helping businesses scale. Read more>>

Jamal Liverpool

I honestly, I didn’t start this thinking, “I’m about to build a culinary brand.” It started with passion. I’ve always loved cooking — bringing people together, seeing their reaction when they take that first bite. That feeling right there? That’s what hooked me. In the beginning, I was just cooking for family, friends, small gatherings. Word started spreading. One plate turned into paid plates. Read more>>