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.

Alvaro & Claudia Carta

I’m Cuban, and I lived in Miami, where I grew up surrounded by the authentic flavors of Cuban cuisine that always felt like home. Later, I met my wife in Atlanta, and we started our life here. Over time, I realized how much I missed that taste of Miami and the culture behind it. Read more>>

Ashley Skandalakis

I started making orchids for a new restaurant several weeks before Covid hit. Wow sequestered during Covid. I decided what I really wanted to do was start a container business for outdoor seasonal planters. So I researched a name and Atlanta Planters was not taken. Applied for business license and started working every social media branch I possibly could describing what my services would be. Read more>>

Jamele Wright Sr.

I came to art through making, long before I imagined it as a profession. I was raised in Ohio, and later moved to Atlanta, where I was involved in organizing jazz, poetry, and visual art events and eventually founded Neo Renaissance Art House, a small gallery created to support emerging artists who were not finding space elsewhere. Read more>>

Ronnie S. Rose

My story begins in the housing projects of New York City, where life taught me resilience before I even had language for it. I grew up surrounded by love in some ways, but also by survival, instability, and adversity. As a young girl, I often felt disconnected—disconnected from myself, from God, from a deeper sense of purpose. Read more>>

Dyonne Dallas

Dyonne spent 22 years in the tech industry as a senior management executive. A native of San Francisco, California, she holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Clark Atlanta University and an MBA from the University of California, Davis. Throughout her corporate career, Dyonne managed high-performing teams across various disciplines like software product development, operations, HR M&A and other disciplines. Read more>>

Dennisse Durand

I had a 25-year career in marketing, and my last job was overseeing the Marketing department for a multinational resort chain. Read more>>

Janiro Hawkins II

My journey began in Flint, Michigan, where early life experiences helped shape my drive and creative outlook. I later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he attended Tennessee State University, immersing myself in both academics and the city’s rich musical culture. Read more>>

Dexter Flowers

I’ve always been a creator—just in different forms depending on when you met me. Some people know me from hosting college events, others from content creation, fitness, clothing, or my community engagement work. But when you step back and look at it, it’s all been connected. Read more>>

Shellyann Vassel

My journey hasn’t been a straight line-it’s been one of growth, healing, and rediscovering who I am. I started Faceted Skynn from a place of passion and necessity. I’ve always been drawn to skincare and helping others feel confident, but there was a time in my life where I didn’t feel that confidence within myself. Read more>>

Tyrell Brown

Born in Baltimore Maryland watched my family struggle i ended up going to Morgan state university dropping out of college and had my daughter in 2015 started my very first business in the deregulation of public utilities i was so broke i couldn’t afford to pay attention. Read more>>

Elizabeth Hope Brown

I’ve been a serial entrepreneur and nonprofit developer for over two decades, building and supporting initiatives that create both economic opportunity and community impact. Throughout my journey, I’ve consistently looked for ways to turn ideas into sustainable, purpose-driven ventures. My most meaningful and long-standing work has been as the co-founder of Est. Fourteen Forty-One LLC. Read more>>

Tanuj Samaddar

My story starts in 2004 in the quaint township of Rangia in Assam (India). My childhood has been marked with colours and canvases as I took interest in fine arts at a delicate age of 2 years. What started with simple sketches, soon found its way to international galleries. Read more>>

Rebecca Zaizay

So I have always loved fashion. I’ve always been drawn to the arts. I think well I know it’s definitely because of my dad that it was nurtured. In our family my dad is the biggest fashionista , besides me of course , but he walked so I could run. Read more>>

Bizzie Made

I started producing at age 11 because I wanted to be a rapper but didn’t have any beats. I taught myself FL Studio, Reasons, and Logic. At age 16 I dove into audio engineering in hopes of being able to get me and my friends’ music on CD and out to the world. Read more>>

Atlas Ursen

Dysthymia has taken many forms throughout its long development. Only recently did I finally decide to shape it into an RPG. Before that, it was going to be an experimental album reflecting a wide range of mental illnesses- especially those I’m more familiar with, or those I felt were ostracised in some way. I’ve always wanted Dysthymia to tell my story in some way. Read more>>

Jennifer Hembafan Alih

My journey really began with a moment that changed the way I saw the world. Growing up, I was very close to a young girl in my community who became pregnant at a young age. In fear and desperation, she attempted an abortion and sadly lost her life. Read more>>

Benton Thompson III

Actually, my journey began when I was an infant. There was a devastating event that occurred which forever changed the landscape of my family and impacted my life’s trajectory. At the time of my birth, I had seven older siblings: four sisters and three brothers. Read more>>

DJ Ms. Eclectic

Music has always been a part of who I am. Growing up in Texas with a mother who was a classically trained vocalist and Minister of music, I was surrounded by Gospel, R&B, Jazz an early age. Waking up and cleaning to Luther Vandross and Anita Baker to the Clark Sisters. Read more>>

Erica Barber

My journey in the tax industry started with building a solid foundation. I spent my first three years working under an established tax company, learning the ins and outs of tax preparation, client service, and compliance. Read more>>

Tree @Lyiness

I once gave everything to a career that quietly chose cheaper over devoted. That moment didn’t break me—it redirected me. I made a vow: that kind of energy would never again be spent building someone else’s dream. Eight years ago, with equal parts stubbornness and pure determination , I poured myself fully into my art and into being seen. Read more>>

Adeola Ganny

I hold a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a postgraduate degree in Information Technology from Nigeria. After spending some time in London, I relocated and became a stay-at-home mom. At the time, I wasn’t working professionally, but I had always loved cooking. Read more>>

Diane Martinez

Becoming a certified holistic life coach wasn’t something I set out to do—it unfolded naturally along my life path. At my core, I’m an educator, and my journey from 4th grade teacher to health coach to holistic life coach has been both deeply fulfilling and continually evolving. Each step has built upon the last, preparing me to support others in more meaningful ways. Read more>>

Lindsey Frazier

⸻ I’m a mostly self-taught jewelry artist who discovered my passion in a small bead shop in Fayetteville. What started as curiosity quickly turned into something much bigger—I fell in love with the creative process and never looked back. I began selling my pieces at local craft shows, and eventually opened my own artist shop in Senoia. Read more>>

Nikerria Barber

My journey into the life insurance industry didn’t start from a place of comfort, it started from a place of necessity, growth, and faith. Like many people, I was navigating personal challenges and major life transitions, trying to create stability for myself while also figuring out my purpose. Read more>>

Damita Parks

First, thank you for giving me the space to tell my story—because it’s not an easy one, but it’s mine. I grew up in a very crowded, multi-generational home with my parents, paternsl grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all under one roof. From a very young age, I felt different. Read more>>

Ilham (Illy) Askia

Early in my career, I knew I wanted to work at the intersection of access and opportunity. I started in education in Washington, D.C., teaching in communities full of talent but lacking in opportunity–education reform was needed. Read more>>

Sasha Robinson

I’m a Georgia native. I graduated high school with the desire to pursue a career in Environmental Science. After taking an environmental law class, I realized I wanted a career in environmental law. Following my undergraduate studies, I took a year off and worked for the City Council of the City of Atlanta before beginning law school in 2017. Read more>>

Assata Thomas

My journey into this work really started with a simple desire: I’ve always wanted to give back and serve my community. As a young girl, I didn’t quite know what that would look like, but I knew it was there. As I got older, I started to notice a pattern—friends and family naturally came to me for advice, for support, for a listening ear. Read more>>

Adrielle Turner

I began my journey in the art world as an educator, and that foundation continues to shape everything I do today. My work has always been rooted in learning, understanding, and asking questions. When you approach art through an educational lens, you naturally develop a habit of analysis and critique—two skills that are essential to curatorial practice. Read more>>

Kev Lawrence

After my active duty status in the military, in 2000 I went to New York City, N.Y. to work in the music entertainment business. I landed a job working for Hector Aviles as a assistant to the the assistant A&R administration executive and in the A&R department with Leeza Brunson at Def Jam music group. Read more>>

Aayush Raj

I started my journey in chess around two years ago out of simple curiosity, which gradually turned into a serious passion. Coming from a small town like Sahibganj, Jharkhand, I initially had limited exposure to over-the-board ( OTB ) tournaments, so I focused on improving through online platforms and consistent self-training. Read more>>

Christy Linton

I came to painting in a way that felt less like a decision and more like something I needed. What started as a personal outlet quickly became a form of art therapy and quite literally saved me. Painting helped me process my grief and reconnect with myself. I didn’t set out with a clear roadmap to become a painter. Read more>>

Keith Dorton

The story of Trades Education Center begins with two business owners frustrated with the lack of quality candidates applying for roles in their companies. Chris Griffin, owner of MasterCraft Plumbing, and Tim Davis, owner of Gainesville Winnelson, came to the conclusion that they would fix the problem themselves instead of continuing to complain about it. Read more>>

Octavia Monsanto

I started Mobile Me 360 with just $1,500 and a vision to create something of my own. At the time, it wasn’t just about starting a business it was about creating an opportunity. I originally invested in the booth as a way to support marketing for events, but I quickly realized the experience itself was something people genuinely loved. Read more>>

Pretty Rico Bandz

I’ve always been a singer. My whole family does music so I was born into it. Though I was known in Florida as a lead in a boyband called “3AM” I would say my major start was when I joined the cast of the “Disney Channel Rocks” Show. Read more>>

Shameka Dudley-Lowe

After having breast cancer during the height of Covid, I started planning events that I lovingly call “The Pink Party” to raise awareness. They’ve included a fitness event, a family cook off, a sip and paint and my most recent one, I honored two outstanding women, one who was battling breast cancer and the other who lost her mother and grandmother to the disease. Read more>>

Dr Kristy Jarrett

Dr. Kristy J is redefining what crown care looks like. Inspired by watching her mother do hair and care for clients with intention, she developed an early understanding that hair is more than beauty—it’s confidence, identity, and restoration. That foundation would later shape her approach to the industry. Read more>>

paradoXXX pink

My journey truly started in 2019 , the spring after I turned 21. I came to that realization that my life is in my hands and I didn’t resonate with how I’ve been convinced to live. I wanted to be free, creative, fun, and LOUD. Spoiler alert, WE DID IT!! Read more>>

George Smiley

I spent most of my career navigating the structured world of corporate America—building a foundation in Information Technology, with a deep focus on data and analytics. But beneath the surface, there was always that entrepreneurial spirit pulling at me. Over the years, I explored real estate and other ventures, but it wasn’t until about six years ago that everything began to take shape. Read more>>

Kalecia Wright

I didn’t begin with a clear plan—I began with a decision to survive. There was a season in my life where I was functioning, achieving, and showing up for others, but internally I was depleted. Like many women, I had mastered resilience, but had not yet learned how to be whole. The turning point came when I chose—moment by moment—not to abandon myself. Read more>>

David Mayan

I’m David Mayan, known professionally as emcdouble, a recording artist, songwriter, and producer originally from Newark, New Jersey, raised between Linden and Elizabeth, and currently based in Queens, New York. My relationship with music started early. During high school in Linden, I was involved in freestyle battles and informal recording sessions with friends, which eventually led me into early collaborative projects. Read more>>

Dr. Matisa Wilbon

I am the daughter of Mr. Jesse Olinger, Sr. and the late Mrs. Pamela Jean Cooper. As I’ve grown older, it has become increasingly important for me to begin my story this way—with honor, with origin, and with truth. Though my parents divorced when I was young, they each gave me something essential that shaped the course of my life. Read more>>

Booker Snow III

I’ve always been a dreamer. Perhaps even a foolish one guided by whimsy and shaped by art in its many forms. It was Detroit that first ignited my creative spirit, a city whose rhythm and soul made expression feel not only possible, but necessary. As a child, I sketched endlessly, though I never reached for color. Read more>>

La Regia

My journey started with a passion for entertainment, media, and creating experiences that bring people together. From an early stage, I knew I wanted to build something bigger than myself—something that combined creativity, culture, and business. What began as a love for live events and media eventually evolved into building my own brand and company, La Regia Promotions. Read more>>

Tasha Diorr

I started my journey at 21 as a rap artist, performing under the name Rediamond. That chapter taught me confidence, resilience, and how to show up boldly, even when no one was watching. Over time, I realized my purpose was bigger than music alone, so I transitioned into acting and began building my name in the film industry. Read more>>

Caitlin Davis

I started my career in hair during COVID, which was such an uncertain time, but in a way, it pushed me to fully commit and build something of my own from the beginning. I focused on refining my craft early on, investing in advanced education, extensions, and color techniques so I could create really elevated, customized results for my clients. Read more>>

De’Antwan Smith

Hello, my name is De’Antwan Smith. I’m 34 years old, born in San Bernardino, California, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I grew up between the South Side 79th Street and Gary, Indiana. I’m a proud alumnus of South Shore High School and William A. Wirt High School. Read more>>

Nat Srisatjang

My professional journey actually began in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of the hotel business. Working in hospitality is like attending a masterclass in human connection and logistics; you learn very quickly that luxury isn’t just about how a lobby looks, but how a guest feels. However, despite being immersed in that world, I always had this persistent, quiet urge to build something of my own. Read more>>

Odian Levy

I started writing in high school. My English teacher encouraged me. I kept submitting short stories regularly. In college, I wrote fan fiction but drifted away from writing. Years later, my future wife asked what would make me happy. I said writing full-time. That pushed me back in. I took writing courses and coaching. Just before COVID, I was close to a book deal. Read more>>

Aksanti Bienfait Ba

I am a self-taught Congolese visual artist whose practice has grown organically over the past five years into a powerful and evolving body of work. My journey began not in formal institutions, but in lived experience shaped by movement, displacement, and the search for meaning in unfamiliar spaces. Read more>>

Bao Su

I started with a passion for helping athletes feel confident and stage-ready through the power of the right details. What began as creating custom body bling jewelry for competitors quickly grew through word-of-mouth as more athletes saw how the right pieces could elevate their entire look. Read more>>

Rashad Mims

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. I relocated to Atlanta Ga, last year to pursue my dreams breaking out into the acting & modeling industry. I’ve been wanting to act since I was 8 years old. But because of my environment and surroundings I didn’t really pursue it or see it ever coming to fruition. Read more>>

Jon Johnson

My company is Touch the Buffalo LLC, and I created the LLC to submit invoices to venues to get paid for performances by my band, Touch the Buffalo. The band is a side hustle I’m hoping takes off some day, but I pay my bills as a software developer. In late 2023, I was completely burnt out. Read more>>

Stephie Reni

I started We Golf 2 because I saw a gap in the female golf world that felt too big to ignore. Golf has always been a sport rooted in tradition, but that tradition often left entire communities out of the experience. Read more>>

Dr. Roneisha Randall

My journey has been rooted in purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to helping others become their best selves. At just 16, I experienced one of the most defining moments of my life, losing my father in my arms. That moment didn’t break me. It built me. It shaped how I move through the world and ignited a passion to live and lead with intention. Read more>>

Elanese Gaines

My story isn’t one of a straight path…it’s one of resilience, rebuilding, and refusing to stay where I started. I became a mom at 16 in Chicago, and from that moment on, everything I did was about creating a better life for my children. By 20, I had relocated to Milwaukee, pregnant with my fourth child and staying in a shelter. Read more>>

Tolulope Jeremiah

My name is Tolulope Jeremiah, but most people know me as Jaybee. I’m a creative professional focused on brand design, no-code website development, and social media and website management. My journey started as a teenager, driven by a deep love for detail and visually appealing structure. Read more>>

Lorenzo Scott

I launched my mental health podcast, Medicine Ball LS3, during the 2019–2020 pandemic. With a background in music production, studio work, and event promotion in Atlanta, I already had a foundation in audio engineering and content creation. The podcast started as a space for transparency—sharing my journey with a bipolar I diagnosis and how I’ve worked to navigate life’s challenges in a healthy, intentional way. Read more>>

Jahstess Reid

I’ve always been a creative at heart, but music became a real outlet for me during times when I needed to process life and express things I couldn’t always say out loud. What started as something personal slowly grew into something I wanted to share. Read more>>

Jingxuan ‘Jaja’ Qi

I’m a filmmaker currently based in Atlanta, finishing my senior year at SCAD. Originally from an island city of Zhejiang, China, but I have moved to a lot of cities and countries, including Germany. I’ve been building my path independently for quite a while, both creatively and personally. Read more>>

Princess Misstress

I started from a Rap Duo Group called The MISStresses. After 2 mixtapes together I left the group & became MISStress then dropped 7 more projects from mixtapes , an , & the rest albums. Read more>>

Resistance Cinema

In 2024, two educators in Atlanta decided to launch a new radical education project outside of the academy, using cinema as the primary tool. After attending an art show at the Little Five Points Community Center, these educators proposed partnering with WRFG, the community radio station housed in the building, and the organization loved the idea. Read more>>

William Donley

My origins of music came from the church, singing in the choir, playing the drums, etc. I also went to a performance arts middle school in high school, which led me to getting a full scholarship to sing in a collegiate choir at a HBCU and at that HBCU is where I started to produce learn how to make beats and learn how to record. Read more>>

Nadia Mohabir

I started my own pet care business by appreciating animals from a young age. I grew up rescuing dogs, feeding strays and taking care of animals in Guyana! And that experience really shaped my passion for creating a safe, loving space for animals especially when they’re away from their families. Read more>>

Trinity Robinson

One day I was talking to my friend about how I wanted to model but it was hard to pursue cause I worked at a daycare. I was getting bookings here and there but I never could make them cause I would be at work 9-6pm Mon – Fri. My friend said to just pray about it and tell God what I wanted to do. Read more>>

Coach T

I played football all through out my youth. I played football at Millikan H.S in Long Beach, Ca. I coached pop warner football in Long Beach CA as well as at Morningside High School in Inglewood as well as at Dorsey high school in Los Angeles. I train athletes as well as organized football camps. I am now involved in flag football. Read more>>

Brianna Tucker

My journey started from a genuine passion for beauty. Back in 2019, while I was in school for nursing and working part-time, I began exploring that passion more seriously. On June 5, 2019, I took my first step into entrepreneurship by starting a wig-making business. Read more>>

Maria Camila Cardozo

My talent and love for dance has always felt very natural to me. Since I was around two years old, my teachers would always note that I had a strong musical ear and that I was constantly moving. From a very young age, I was exposed to multiple styles and trained in different disciplines like Arabic dance, flamenco, burlesque, and urban dance. Read more>>

Bruna Pacifico

I’m originally from Manaus, a city in the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. Growing up surrounded by such a rich natural and cultural environment really shaped the way I see creativity, especially in terms of colors, textures, and storytelling. Read more>>

Christen Gowder

I grew up in an entrepreneurial, patriotic, hardworking family. My mother was (and still is) a very successful Registered Nurse. My dad followed dreams of working for himself and built the first full service laundromat the year before I was born. Read more>>

Elaine Taylor-Klaus

My first ten years as a parent, I was miserable. Let me be clear: I love my kids. More than anything. But there was always a “but.” But it was hard. But it was frustrating. But it was lonely and isolating and terrifying. Read more>>