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.

Valerie Pableo

I grew up in a small town known as Valdosta, GA, where I spent much of my time as a cheerleader, dancer, and theater kid. At the age of 19, I moved to Atlanta, GA in hopes of chasing bigger dreams and more opportunities. Read more>>

Ian Pendlington

My/my band’s story recently is most interesting, I think. In 2025, after merging my band of over 10 years with another friend band to form Run Katie Run, we had started getting some real success. Opening for bands we look up to, making more and more important connections, and being featured on national television. Read more>>

Shamari Manley

I started my career because I genuinely wanted to help people build generational wealth through real estate. I’m originally from Detroit, Michigan, and after graduating from Tuskegee University in 2018, I began building my career in Atlanta. Read more>>

RROLLING $TONE TIMA

Hello, my name is Rolling $tone Tima (RR$T). I am a photographer based in Snellville, Georgia. I have been photographing for over 11 years and counting. Starting out with just my iPhone 5c, I took pictures of whatever I saw, whether it would be raindrops on the car window, buildings, sunrises, sunsets, clothing, whatever I could take pictures of. Read more>>

Shachi Srivastava

My journey has really been about never giving up on what brings life to my soul. I grew up in India surrounded by culture, colors, traditions, and storytelling, and creativity was always a part of me. But I never had formal training in art — everything I learned came through passion, practice, failures, and starting again. Read more>>

Lera McNamara

My journey into massage therapy has been shaped by a combination of education, athletics, entrepreneurship, and life experiences. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and have a background in physical therapy, which gave me a strong understanding of the body, movement, recovery, and helping people feel their best. Read more>>

Chazlyn ‘Chaz’ Yu

I first was introduced to the film world when I was in high school, when I first started working as a stand in for Margaret Cho on Drop Dead Diva way back in 2011. I would do stand in work here and there and even did a few featured background roles in movies like Ride Along 2 and All Eyez on Me. Read more>>

Paige Tailyn

I’m the founder of Blossom Effect, a platform rooted in plant education, storytelling, and community. My journey really started at Clark Atlanta University, where I was studying Mass Media Arts and created Blossom Effect as part of my “Miss Sophomore” platform. What began as a small initiative centered around wellness, growth, and community eventually evolved into a full brand and career. Read more>>

Donnel Noel

I am a Brooklyn native that moved to Atlanta to create a lane for myself . I model, do photography, teach kids , professional chef and current trader. I love cooking and currency trader as it allows me to explore my creativity and also teach me something that can chance my life and the people around me. Read more>>

Tyler Clemons

I didn’t come up through a traditional or easy path—my story has really been shaped by learning how to survive, adapt, and keep moving forward no matter the situation. I was raised by my grandparents, and from early on I understood responsibility in a different way than most people my age. Read more>>

Kayla Sullers

I’ve always been drawn to visual storytelling for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I found inspiration in music, emotion, color, people, and the small details that made everyday life feel cinematic. What started as curiosity slowly evolved into a deep passion for filmmaking, music, and creative direction. Read more>>

Natalie Childers

Ever since I can remember I was either drawing on paper, the walls, or myself. I started taking drawing and painting classes from the community center in Marietta while I was in middle school, then got a studio art degree from Berry College in 2009. Read more>>

Evander Banks

It’s been 10 years since I moved to Atlanta from Middle Georgia. Originally when I came to Atlanta, I intended to wholeheartedly jump into audio engineering professionally, I wanted to attend SAE. The original plan was to get some type of certificate or degree in reference to music and then maybe entertain art. Read more>>

Shaielle Martin

Smoothée Bar was created in 2020 from a passion for wellness, creativity, and building something meaningful for my family and community. As a mom of four, I wanted to create healthier options that still felt exciting, flavorful, and enjoyable. I’ve always loved the idea of making wellness feel approachable rather than restrictive. Read more>>

Andrea Zoppo

My path into this work really began with the people who shaped me early on. My grandparents gave me a deep appreciation for community service, resourcefulness, and helping others. Both my grandfathers were activists and fought for social justice. My grandmother taught me to embrace childlike wonder, enjoy the little things, and to take special care of loved ones. Read more>>

Savannah Rose Johnson

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, creativity, and understanding people on a deeper level. Poetry was one of the first places I ever felt fully honest with myself, and over time that creative instinct expanded into podcasting, embodiment work, spiritual exploration, and building my business, Eclipse Evolution. Like many creatives, my path hasn’t been linear. Read more>>

Gloria Umanah

Gloria is a first-generation Nigerian-American born in Atlanta, Georgia. Having lived below the poverty line for majority of her childhood, Gloria lived in over 10 different motel rooms, along with her family of 4 sisters and immigrant mother, over the span of 6 years. Through such a challenging upbringing, Gloria overcame homelessness, fatherlessness, depression, and suicide. Read more>>

Carolina Castillo Farias

My story started at a very young age because I took on a role that probably wasn’t meant for me yet. I grew up in a home where my mother, as a single mom, carried all the responsibility, and somehow I understood early on that I needed to take care of her and also my sister, even though I was the younger one. Read more>>

Ashley Davis

What started as a creative passion and a love for meaningful, one-of-a-kind pieces slowly grew into something much better than I ever imagined. I have always been drawn to creativity and a trip out west where I got to experience a hat bar sparked a flame for opening a hat bar in Georgia. Read more>>

Dr. Alon ‘Doc’ Holliday

I created Magnanimous in 2018 with the mindset that it would be a platform for artists and creatives to develop their artistic skills as well as the company providing distribution, marketing, and business development to music creatives and entrepreneur’s. Read more>>

John Davenport

I’ve been a hairstylist since 2003 and have spent most of my career helping people feel confident and cared for through creativity and personal connection. Over the years, I owned a salon, built long-term relationships with clients, and learned what it takes to run a business centered around people and experience. A few years ago, I stepped into something unexpected — becoming Santa John. Read more>>

Taj-Malik Tavares

My name is Taj-Malik Tavares. I am a Sustainability Coordinator, photographer and filmmaker native to Atlanta, Georgia. My story begins almost ten years ago in 2017. During this time, I was recommended by my film teacher to join a film production summer program with a local non-profit named Re:Imagine. Read more>>

Rachael Alexandra

I started at the beginning of 2019. Modeling was not on my radar before then. It took a lot of encouragement from an past friend to do my first photoshoot. Thankfully, I went through with it, but I’ve had my trials. I started out on the wrong side of the industry. I thought the best way in would be with boudoir and nude work. Read more>>

Truth Teller Productions

Miriam A. Hyman aka Robyn Hood is an actress, lyricist, writer, producer and the CEO of music/production label Truth Teller Productions. She’s a Philadelphia native and began her career in theater. Upon graduating grad school from the David Geffen School of Drama affectionately known as Yale School of Drama with her MFA in Acting, she started doing off-Broadway theater in NYC. Read more>>

Kelly Sirois

I didn’t choose this industry — I was born into it. My mother was a full-time actress and model, and I was on my first commercial set at four years old. I grew up inside the world most people are trying to break into. Read more>>

Kacey King

I started my fitness journey in college after struggling with confidence and being heavier than the people around me. Fitness became more than just working out — it became a way for me to build discipline, confidence, and a healthier lifestyle. Read more>>

Kenneth Hines, Jr.

My artistic journey began around 1994, inspired by the work of Bob Ross. I immersed myself in painting and drawing, which remained my primary creative outlets until 2007. My passion for photography was sparked in June 2000 during a family RV trip from Atlanta, Georgia, to Toronto, Canada, and Fairbanks, Alaska. Read more>>

Denise Elisabeth

I didn’t wait for the “perfect moment” to become a fashion stylist, I created one. A few months before graduating college, while the world was shutting down during COVID-19, I decided I wasn’t going to sit still and hope opportunity would find me. Every single day, I sent emails. Cold emails, follow-ups, introductions, anything to get my name in rooms I hadn’t stepped into yet. Read more>>

Jess Cappa

Hiya! Thanks so much for having me. This is such a lovely experience, and I’m always down for a good conversation with new friends. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and creating experiences that make people react positively or simply feel something. Read more>>

Sebastian Bonner

Sebastian C. Bonner, A.T.A. Sebastian C. Bonner, A.T.A., is an Atlanta-born entertainment executive, talent strategist, producer, and cultural curator with more than two decades of experience spanning music, television, live events, touring, talent relations, and community leadership. Read more>>

Nafisa Islam

When I was in pharmacy school, I struggled with the worst depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and eating disorders. One of the things I used to cope was fitness. Read more>> 

Marco Deon

I’ve been singing and playing instruments since I was 5 . I started in church at my Grandfather’s Richard Dennard church Gods House Of Prayer And Praise First time ever playing drums at family and friends choir concert. My first time singing was at Jackson Memorial Baptist Church Pastor Gregory Sutton. My Grandmother Mussete Britt helped with getting me that solo. Read more>>

Jasmine Jimenez

I’ve always been someone who feels life deeply. I grew up as an observer, someone who was paying attention to things most people move past. Like the energy of the room, the way certain spaces made me feel safe or uneasy, and the quiet call to nature. Read more>>

Wendy Burnham

Serenity Shore Coffee began as a season of prayer and eventually became a call to action for me and my husband, Richard. For well over a year, I had been praying for victims and survivors of human trafficking and asking God how I could possibly make a difference in such a massive and heartbreaking problem. Read more>>

Iesha (i-E-sha) Westmoreland

Iesha Westmoreland, PCOS Advocate, Freelance Journalist, Professional Writer, and Communications Specialist. Residing in Georgia originally from Rhode Island, born and raised. The dreamer with ambition, who always knew Rhode Island was not going to be her only residence. Even from a young age I knew I wanted to be successful. Read more>>

supjewelz

I’ve always been creative and drawn to creativity. I’ve always loved art, whether it’s a painting or architecture, even design. I can’t paint you a picture, but I can make the soundtrack to it. I’ve always been around music. I grew up with music, from playing drums in bands to playing in choir. Music and creativity were always encouraged when I was younger. Read more>>

Sean Genette

I lived in Florida for almost 20 years and grew up around the underground music scene. When I moved up to Georgia in early 2025, I noticed there was a bit of a gap in the market in terms of pages/people that were highlighting and promoting local/underground bands in Georgia. I started the Georgia Underground page in August, and the page quickly grew from there. Read more>> 

Cassidy Hiles

Back Porch Brew was born during a difficult season in my life when I was struggling with ongoing health challenges and searching for a more natural approach to healing. Last spring, I started a small garden on my back porch with herbs like lemon balm, lavender, and mint, and began creating my own blends as part of my wellness journey. Read more>>

Lindsey Cooper

When I was about 11, my mother gave me her old camera. I had always been fascinated by photos, and have very clear memories of going with my mother to get photos developed at Wolf Camera and at CVS. Read more>>

Joe and Courtney Boassy

Pool construction has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m a third-generation pool builder. My grandfather built pools, my dad built pools, and from a young age I was right there beside them learning the trade. Read more>>

Laryn James

I was born and raised in Atlanta, and music has always been a huge part of my life because the majority of my family are musicians. Even though I never sang or played an instrument myself, I always knew music would influence my path in some way. Read more>>

Piper ‘Posh’ B

I am the founder of Posh Hair District, a luxury healthy hair care brand built from passion, persistence, and a deep love for textured hair. My journey started long before I became a salon owner. I was the little girl obsessed with hair, beauty, and the confidence that comes from feeling good about yourself. Read more>>

CRYSTAL CARROLL

We had a ranch that was always in demand for private events. Eventually, we decided to turn it into a commercial venture and develop it into a full-service event venue in March 2024 Read more>>

Daniel Omuto

My name is Daniel Muto. I studied Computer Science at Kennesaw State University, then went on to study Data Analytics from Georgia Tech.** I’ve been building and managing websites for about eight years now. I started out making all types of websites, but over time I really got into Shopify development and creative digital experiences. Read more>>

Lyndon Majoni

I go by Rappid, and my journey really started from a deep love for expression. Growing up in Zimbabwe, music and art became more than hobbies for me. They became a way to process life, pressure, faith, ambition, and identity. I was always drawn to storytelling, whether through rap lyrics, visuals, or design. Read more>>

Turner Roberts

My musical journey started at a young age at the piano. Performing at piano competitions and learning music theory, I earned a solid foundation of skills that helped my musical career. When I got to high school, I started making beats for one of my closest friends who was starting his rap career. Read more>>

Jahad Ali

I first discovered photography at 14 while living in Africa. At the time, I didn’t even have a phone of my own, so whenever I had the chance, I’d quietly borrow my mom’s phone and bring it along on small adventures with my friends—afternoons at the beach, wandering through the city, or capturing the beauty in ordinary moments that might’ve otherwise gone unnoticed. Read more>>

Jamal Markell

So I think it is only best to start from the very beginning April 14, 1997 a Monday morning 2 AM to be exact. My mother went into labor with me at home unexpectedly at this particular time. My father was not home and we had no working phones in the house to call emergency services. Read more>>

Yomarie Llanos

I’ve always been someone who noticed the details. The color that sets a mood, the way a space feels when it’s styled just right, the words that make you stop and think, yes, that’s exactly it. That eye for beauty is what eventually led me to build Luxe Social Studio, but the path there wasn’t exactly a straight line. Read more>>

Destynee Nathasia

I started creating content simply by being myself and sharing the things I genuinely loved beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and the everyday moments that make life feel real and relatable. What began as posting for fun slowly turned into a passion once I realized people connected with my personality, creativity, and authenticity. Read more>>

Dillon Mann

Dillon Mann is a professionally trained actor with over a decade of experience in TV, film, and theatre. Known for his versatility and grounded performances, Dillon has worked both in front of and behind the camera, giving him a unique understanding of the full creative process. He is SAG‑Eligible and has collaborated with major studios including Disney, Nickelodeon, HBO, Blumhouse, and 20th Century Fox. Read more>>

Kyle Dutcher

I started going to the skating rink at a young age, but I didn’t really focus on it much back then. It was more of a casual outing. Everything changed in my late 20s when my oldest daughter had her birthday party at a skating rink. She fell in love with it, and when I got custody of her, we began skating together every weekend. Read more>>

Abby Vermilyea

I’d like to think I’m still “getting started,” though I’m so grateful for everything I’ve been able to do so far – and have had a whole lot of fun along the way! I was essentially posting as a “content creator” before that was really even a thing; I would post dancing videos on Twitter (of all places). Read more>>

Abby Willis

Full-time oil painter Abby Willis was raised in Tullahoma, TN and currently lives in Smyrna, GA. She attended University of Tennessee, earning a degree in Supply Chain Management, and later worked in corporate sustainability during her ten-year corporate career. Her work focused on helping companies make more thoughtful, responsible long-term decisions — a mindset that now carries into her art practice. Read more>>

Alberto Garcia-Uria

I have began my artistic journey in San Francisco, taking an abstract class from Leigh Hyams at UC Berkeley. I continued my education at the Florence Classical Arts Academy in Florence Italy. I continue to take workshops in Florence and residencies in Mexico. Read more>>

Ashley Frasca

I currently host Green and Growing, Atlanta’s biggest garden radio show, on 95.5 WSB. I’ve been host for 6 years now, and the story of how this wonderful show landed on my shoulders is really inspiring and humbling. Walter Reeves, affectionately known as the Georgia Gardener, hosted the Lawn & Garden show on our station for 26 years. Read more>>

Tonya Crowe

I’m a Metro Atlanta REALTOR®, staging specialist, and the owner of Tonya’s Treasures Real Estate & Design.( Method Real Estate Advisors Brokersge)I’m also a Smyrna native, a single mom, a dog lover, and someone who truly believes every home has a story worth telling. Read more>>

Dawson Duncan

I’ve always loved music, picked up a guitar at 14 and learned “Colder Weather” within the day. Since then I’ve been all around Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina. I’ve met some of my best friends on the journeys I’ve had far and wide. For a while I played whatever was offered to me, just happy to play in front of anyone really. Read more>>

Sapphiree

My musical journey and entertainment began early on at the age of 2 years old. I come from a musical family , my father traveled and performed. My mother was more of performing arts and poetic. She’s always worked with me in that area. When I was 16 my father moved us to Atlanta ,Georgia for me to pursue my music career. Read more>>

Dr, WIM Carolina Blanco

I learned to play chess at the age of five, introduced to the game by my parents. After approximately six months of training with private coaches, I began competing in state, national, and international tournaments at the age of seven, marking the start of my lifelong journey in competitive chess. Read more>>

Candace Davis

Polished Professional Branding was built at the intersection of strategy, identity, and excellence… and it was born from a pattern I kept seeing throughout my career. My background is in clinical marketing and sales, where I’ve spent years operating at the executive level: crafting high-stakes communications, advising organizations on positioning, and understanding how credibility is built and perceived in competitive environments. Read more>>

Jamilah C muhammad

I got started in this industry because I always had a deep passion for performing and creative expression, but my journey to where I am today was not without challenges. Growing up as a dark-skinned young girl, there were times I struggled deeply with confidence and feeling like I didn’t fit the beauty standards I saw around me. Read more>>

Shawanté Dennis

I’m a proud mother of one beautiful daughter and two handsome boys, and both motherhood and faith have played a major role in shaping who I am today. My journey in the beauty industry began in high school when I first started braiding hair. That passion eventually led me to attend Paul Mitchell Schools-Atlanta, where I graduated on February 8, 2017. Read more>>

Chef Kay Dot

I started my business with a real passion for food, people, and creating experiences that bring everyone together. What began as cooking for family, friends, and small events quickly grew through word of mouth because people connected with the quality, flavor, and care I put into every dish. Read more>>

Juan Echeverri (People know me as ‘JUAN ID’

I started my journey in music. For more than 14 years, I was part of a musical group called ID Music, where I studied vocal technique, performed in different countries and more than 70 cities, and learned what it meant to stand on stages, in studios, and in front of audiences. But my relationship with communication actually started from insecurity. Read more>>

Zeta Epsilon Pi Military Wives Sorority, Inc.

In 2018, a group of women from different areas of the country got together to discuss their vision of an organization that would promote sisterhood, volunteerism, and financial independence for women. They incorporated the lessons learned through their individual journey of motherhood, marriage and military life. Read more>>

Kenyia (Ken) Hughes

I started out just being an anime nerd. Growing up, anime has always been a huge part of my life, along with drawing and anything creative. When I was younger, my mom would literally put paper on the walls and let me go crazy drawing on them. Art was always something natural for me — it was how I expressed myself and had fun. Read more>>

Femaria Jackson

I’m an Atlanta girl through and through, born and raised here, and I believe this city really shaped who I am despite the bad rep we get sometimes. Atlanta has such a strong culture of ambition, creativity, community, and Black excellence, so growing up here taught me early on that there is space to dream big while still staying grounded in who you are. Read more>>

Leah Laiani

I started trying to rap at the age of 2 because I’ve always loved music, entertaining, and expressing myself. Music became a fun way for me to show my personality, confidence, and creativity. I started making clean, high-energy songs for kids and families so people my age could have music they can relate to and enjoy too. Read more>>

Michael ‘Gio’ Giordano

I am a professional drummer and producer who began my full-time music career in 2017 after retiring as a Chief Deputy from a 20-year law enforcement career. I started drumming in the 4th grade while taking lesson during my lunch period. I continued to play and learn all the way through my senior year of high school. Read more>>

Solomon E. Stretch

My professional journey is fundamentally a story of returning to Self and finding authenticity. I was raised in a household that strongly valued education and military service, a path that felt important for me as a young Black male. However, that drive quickly became intertwined with a personal pressure to prove my worth and earn the approval of others. Read more>>

Aylin Marsella

My name is Aylin Marsella, and I am a multi-faceted artist currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was born in Mexico and raised in a small town in Colorado. Read more>>

Tony Kim

I started modeling and grew in love with acting because of the challenge to play different roles. I networked and found many opportunities in the industry. My amazing talent agent Tonya Hensley has helped mold my career and give me great opportunities! Read more>>

Tamara Kelley

I’m an Army and Air Force brat, so I grew up moving all over the world. Moving, adapting, and starting over became normal for me really early. I just didn’t expect to be doing it again in my 40s. I became a mom at 20 while working a corporate job, finishing school, and selling cosmetics part-time at night and on weekends. Read more>>

Erika JaNaé

I was born into a creative, energetic, talented family. So many of us dance, or sing, or write, or rap, or produce, or play, so it was inevitable that a piece of it rubbed off on me. Read more>>

Spiry

I am an animator, illustrator and filmmaker-sharing my perspective on life through the eyes of an alien experiencing things for the first time! But it took me some time to feel confident in who I am as an artist now. I always knew I was an illustrative artist, making comics nonstop as a child and being the biggest Cartoon Network fan out of my friends. Read more>>

Romy Aura Maloon

My name is Romy Aura Maloon. I am an artist, an advocate, and a cultural curator. Growing up a first-generation American with South African parents, I had a perspective that often felt a little out of sync with the suburban environment in which I was raised, outside Atlanta, in Marietta. Read more>>

Shelly Saunier

This business moved through me by saying yes to the clues along the way. What started as a deep curiosity about myself, healing, identity, and connecting to my soul slowly evolved into the work I do today. Read more>>

Tris Marie Sutherland

I started over from the ground up during one of the hardest seasons of my life in my 30’s. I found myself as a single mom who suddenly had to rebuild everything from scratch. Read more>>

DeAnna Fulton

My name is DeAnna, and I am the owner of Handpicked Nanny. I have over ten years of professional experience in the childcare industry, but my journey and love for children truly developed as a child myself, growing up helping my mom care for infants of relatives and close friends. Read more>>

Cindy Wilson

Growing up, I’ve always been passionate about leadership, community, and creating opportunities for others. Early in my career, I built my foundation in corporate sales and business development, where I learned the importance of relationship-building, strategy, and delivering results. Over time, I realized that while professional success was important to me, I was equally passionate about making a meaningful impact outside of the workplace. Read more>>

Jeremy Sanders

I started acting at 19. Life got in the way having a family and kids. I am slowly getting back into acting again with a gospel based show coming soon. Can’t reveal a lot on it but stay tuned. I’m currently a chauffeur, do temporary admin assignments from time to time, and also do sports videography. Jack of all trades as people would call me. Read more>>

Alexzundra Tillman

Like most directors before me, I have always wanted to be a storyteller. When I tell a story it often feels like I’m telling a secret, especially with ‘Gold in the Grave’. It’s myth making, which is what history is when you think about it. Read more>>

Chelsea Crawford

Genesis Joy House Homeless Shelter, Inc. was founded more than 15 years ago with a mission rooted in compassion, restoration, and advocacy for women veterans experiencing homelessness and housing instability. What began as one woman’s vision to create a safe haven for female veterans and their children has grown into a transformative organization serving women across Georgia and beyond. Read more>>

Nick Celeste

I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, in a family that owned and operated multiple dance studios. Growing up in that environment gave me firsthand exposure to what it takes to run a successful local business—from marketing and customer experience to day-to-day operations. Read more>>

Alex McKelvey

I started out like any number of hopeless creatives my age: a band in high school, a Journalism degree I’m not using, a decade in New York, stints in the improv and open mic scenes, and several failed campaigns to legitimize myself on video-sharing platforms. It’s important to note that other things happened in this time — love, loss, service gigs, seasonal ego deaths, etc. Read more>>

Melanie Shaw

I have spent the past two decades teaching and serving in faculty and administrative roles in online higher education. I am a professor and Academic Program Director at National University. I have written several books and received awards, including the Wagner Award for Outstanding Instructional Support and the Online Learning Consortium Effective Practice Award. Read more>>

Samuel Lunguana

I started my journey at 17, in high school, at a moment when life forced a redirection. After becoming ineligible to play basketball, I found myself spending time in the drum rooms — first out of curiosity, then out of necessity. Those rooms became my sanctuary. I practiced before school, during lunch, after class — any moment I could. Read more>>

Gloria Peebles

I began composing poetry during my childhood. One might say it is a divine gift, as it is something that was inherently within me. My favorite childhood book was ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ by Dr. Seuss. I cherished this book for its rhythmic quality. As a teenager, I wrote as a pastime, and in adulthood, I began writing for weddings, funerals, and various events. Read more>>

Courteney Sykes

Ever since I was younger, I’ve always been drawn to creativity, storytelling, and the way communication can bring people together. That passion eventually led me to study Public Relations at Clark Atlanta University, where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media Arts, and now continue my journey as a graduate student at Florida State University pursuing my Master of Science in Strategic Communication. Read more>>

Samantha Binkerd Horne

I got my start in acting as a child, because my mother runs the community theatre in my home town, Thomasville Alabama. I grew up going to rehearsals, and helping mom sew costumes, paint sets, hang lights, and when I was old enough be in the plays/musicals! Read more>>

Alana Carvalho

As a child, I always knew I was meant to be a therapist. Always curious about the world and human interactions, it felt like a need for my soul to be a helper to people in distress. Read more>>

Federico Conforto

I am an Intensive Care Physician and Anesthesiologist. In 2013, I founded The Italian Book Club in Italy and London, a cultural project dedicated to interviewing both internationally renowned and emerging authors around the world. This initiative led me to travel extensively across New Zealand, Australia, England, and Germany, where I conducted interviews with prominent writers and literary figures. Read more>>

Barbara Broadnax

I’d known I liked women since I was very young. Like many queer people, I grew up in the church hearing people speak badly of LGBT people. I learned to keep that part of myself locked away. Never venturing out to find community, I didn’t even know a community existed. At that time my world was very small and my views reflected as much. Read more>>

James Thompson

My journey to building Launch Wave Media began long before the company itself existed. As a teenager, I started booking local shows for my cousin and me, which eventually evolved into a successful run as an independent artist. That experience gave me an early understanding of branding, audience engagement, promotion, and the business side of entertainment. Read more>>

Dean Dulaney

Born March 1966 in Mt. ZION, central Illinois, granduated high school 1984 went to Millikin University for 1 year.I worked in a grocery store from jr year high school till 1987, at same time working part time for patrents consyruction company. Then started working for Schur-Tel Communications in Decatur , Ill. as a wire grunt clearing 118.00 for 44 hr week. Read more>>

Tawana Tarbeart

After more than 20 years in executive leadership in the corporate sector, I made what I call a purposeful pivot—combining my experience in leadership, operations, and service excellence with a deeply personal mission to improve the quality of care for others. Read more>>

Tamia Símone

I’m originally from Atlanta, Georgia, born and raised. I’ve lived all around the outskirts, but nothing compares to the city I know and love. Atlanta has shaped so much of who I am creatively and personally, and even if I ever decided to move away, I know I’d eventually find my way back. Growing up, I was always interested in a lot of different things. Read more>>

Miazia Simone

I began playing in make-up as a child and grew up realizing college was not for me. I was nervous to tell my single mother that I did not wish to pursue higher education from an academic standpoint. As high school was ending I struggled with making a decision that I thought would be acceptable. Read more>>

Murk Mazi

Raised on 14th and Norman in Wilmington nc right in the middle of where it all happens it’s hard not to slip into the street life. I started early but music pulled me aside it was something the one thing I couldn’t let go of. Now I’m full force giving my fans every bit of me I can no holding back. Read more>>

Ivie Ajayi

My name is Ivie Ajayi, born in Nigeria, raised in America. Radiant Light Event Rentals was born from both passion and purpose. As a mental health clinician, I have dedicated my career to helping others navigate life’s challenges and supporting individuals and families through some of their most difficult moments. Read more>>

Heather Pendlington

I started my tattoo apprenticeship in 2017 after realizing that college was not the path for me. I knew I wanted to do something involving the arts and I was lucky enough to land an apprenticeship in Woodstock after showing heaps of paintings to my then mentor. Read more>>

Novianti Winoto

For the past 10 years, I’ve had the privilege of owning and operating Talay Thai Cuisine after taking over from the previous owner. What started as an opportunity quickly became something much more personal — a second home, a passion, and a way to connect with the community through food and hospitality. Over the years, the restaurant has grown alongside me. Read more>>

Katyna Knapton

Wandering Child Co. started in the most unexpected way. Back in 2017, after we bought our first home, the previous owners left behind a sewing machine. I had no idea how to sew and honestly felt intimidated by it at first. My mom even suggested I sell it, but something in me wanted to try. So, I turned to YouTube and slowly taught myself. Read more>>

evey chavez

My journey into wellness started from a very personal place. A few years ago, I was a divorced mom of two teenagers, struggling deeply with depression, exhaustion, and feeling disconnected from myself. At my heaviest, I was nearly 300 pounds, and I realized that if I wanted my life to change, I had to make a decision to finally choose myself. Read more>>

Quamay DonGeorge

I am originally from Florida but I’ve been in and out of Califronia for about 6 years, traveling wherever the creativity calls especially including Georgia, Florida, and NYC. I started off as an Artist, songwriter and photographer. Basically a creative director to sum it up. Eventually during COVID I had a vision to design blankets and different textiles that I’ve never seen as pants. Read more>>

Opeyemi Bamiduro

I got into the creative space after my O’level examination and preparing for Uni, so while waiting for the admission letter and other necessary examination, I had to learn about computer operations and Microsoft in a small cafe shop- It used to be a big deal then. Read more>>

Lea Morales

Hello, my name is Lea Morales, and I’m a 23-year-old marketing creative, entrepreneur, and founder of L’Mor Marketing Co., a faith based digital marketing agency based in Atlanta. Those closest to me often joke that “marketing” is basically my middle name because it’s genuinely the way my brain thinks. I naturally see branding, storytelling, strategy, and creative direction in everything around me. Read more>>

Emilia Gledhill

I’m a 29-year-old Managing Partner of a boutique media relations agency, and I got here entirely by accident. My background is actually in fashion. I grew up obsessed with clothes, earned a degree in Apparel and Textiles Technology from Kennesaw State University, and had every intention of building a career as a stylist. Read more>>

Marzena Trawinski

There was a time when all I had was ambition, faith, and the belief that I was capable of building something bigger for myself and for others. Real estate wasn’t handed to me. I stepped into an industry that was competitive, demanding, and at times intimidating, but I refused to let fear or obstacles define my future. Read more>>

Kearia Alexander

Honestly, my journey into beauty wasn’t some perfectly planned-out thing. For years, I worked in the corporate world in the HR leadership space, and while I was successful on paper, I knew deep down it wasn’t where my passion lived. Read more>>

Shamiah Pittman

I started my creative journey through media production while working with UWG Athletics and UWP Productions, where I gained experience producing content, directing shows, and helping bring creative ideas to life behind the scenes. At the time, I wasn’t focused on photography specifically, but I quickly realized how much I enjoyed storytelling and creating visuals that connected with people. Read more>>

Naomi.

I started out making music at a young age; I was in choir and musical theatre all throughout my middle school and high school years. Once I graduated high school, I decided to leave South Florida and move to Atlanta to pursue music. Read more>>

Maya Corneille

During the pandemic, I was serving as a professor and Associate Director of Experiential Education at Morehouse College. Like so many families, I suddenly found myself balancing multiple roles at once—teaching college students online while also becoming the online teacher for my first-grade daughter. Read more>>

Ryan Heath

I never knew this would be my industry but one thing I knew from a young age, was that I was going to do something that allowed me to work freely and independently. Read more>>

Lani De Mello

I began taking ballet, tap, and tumbling classes before I was five years old, and I continued through my graduation from high school. I realized very early on that I loved all of the dance classes, and my dream was to perform as Clara in The Nutcracker. Read more>>

Tenisha Downey

I got started in the body contouring industry after seeing how many people were struggling with weight loss, stubborn areas, and confidence even after trying different diets and workouts. I wanted to offer non-invasive solutions that help people see real results without surgery or long recovery times. Read more>>

Jon Devlin

I’ve always had an interest in the performing arts. I could never settle for simply consuming art, I had to create and perform. As a shy child, I mostly kept to myself and lived in my head, spending my time writing stories and poems. Read more>>

Ryan Bresse

Ryan Bresse serves as Senior Vice President of ScoreNavigator, where he plays a key role in advancing the company’s mission to empower consumers through credit education and strategic financial tools. Read more>>

Colbert Minga

I started my career with a strong passion for automotive technology and performance. Over the years, I worked my way up through hands-on experience, diagnostics, and advanced repair work, eventually becoming a Master ASE Porsche Technician. My journey has been built on discipline, precision, and constantly learning new technology in the automotive industry. Read more>>

Jessica Hood

I was classically trained from a young age in piano, voice, and theatre, so the arts were always a part of who I was. But the turning point came when I was 13 and found a classical guitar sitting at the bottom of the stairs—it had been donated for a garage sale. Read more>>

Terrangia (Angie) Hale

My step father was a desert storm veteran as well as myself. Just watching him go through his challenges with trying to get Va benefits was a struggle. So, as I helped him through the process I found a passion for helping other veterans. Read more>>

Raliek Santiago

I started making music when I was 20, but in many ways, music has always been part of me. My dad made music, so I believe it was always in my blood. I’ve loved music my entire life, and through some of my darkest seasons, it was one of the things that helped carry me through. Read more>>

Bengy Cid

started as a dancer myself at 23 years old. As a single mother, I worked in nightclubs while also holding a full-time job and attending night school to earn my business degree. In July 2004, after a fallout with the agency that had been booking my dance gigs, I decided to take a chance on myself and start booking independently. Read more>>

Sharnel Young

My story starts right here in Conyers, Georgia, born and raised. I’m a proud Bethune-Cookman University alumna, and my HBCU roots shaped everything about how I see business, community, and purpose. I went on to earn my Master’s in Business Analytics from Mercer University, because I knew that being creative wasn’t enough. I needed to back it up with data. Read more>>

Colby Robison

I’ve been a local at Cumming, GA for pretty much my entire life! When I was in 3rd grade, I joined into a talent agency in Atlanta & began taking some acting lessons. I mostly remember about two short films and one feature I was in! Read more>>

Alejandro Pagán

I initially grew up in Salisbury, MD with the desire to be an actor at very young age back in second grade. Loved playing make believe and had even played a game called the ‘Imagination Game’ with some of the kids in my care while I was a teenager working at the YMCA. Read more>>

Tinsley Curry

I started my pediatric occupational therapy practice in January 2024. Since I was a child, I always knew I wanted to work with children in a helping profession. When I discovered occupational therapy, I immediately fell in love with the idea of a career that would allow me to combine compassion, intuition, playfulness, and connection — all while supporting kids and their families. Read more>>

Ahmad Smith

Independent recording artist Ahmad Smith is no longer Atlanta’s best-kept secret — he’s becoming one of the most undeniable names rising in music today. With his breakout single DAZE climbing to #9 on the Urban Influencers Chart and an ever-growing presence across music, film, and live entertainment, Ahmad is creating the kind of momentum the industry can no longer ignore. Read more>>

Sonia Nilsen

My name is Sonia Nilsen and Igrew in Mpls Minnesota and my mother introduced me to natural foods like homemade yogurt and kumbucha mushrooms 50 years ago .I learned at a very young age that when I would find birds that were not able to fly and I would put them in my teepee my mother had bought and gave water and would find worms . Read more>>

Keron Bennett

Keron ‘Ron’ Bennett is a year old Belizean Healing Justice Organizer with How Our Lives Link Altogether! (H.O.L.L.A) Keron is a Former next steps participant and a Brooklyn Community Foundation 2017-18 fellow And also a poet . He brings his immigration histories and experiences to the struggle for Human Justice. Read more>>

Adam Glendye

I grew up fascinated by people — why some thrive under pressure while others quietly fall apart carrying the weight of success, trauma, or expectations. Early on, I realized that a lot of high-performing people know how to achieve… but very few know how to be successful without having negative outcomes in other parts of their lives. Read more>>

Jack Mullikin

It all started when I first saw photography on my Instagram feed, actually. I thought it was really cool, and I wanted to try it out myself. So I started going around and just taking photos of things with my phone that I thought looked cool or had a cool perspective. Read more>>

Sheena “Chef Gemini” Simpson

As a kid I loved watching the late Julia Childs and Justin Wilson on GPTV every Saturday. I’d study their technique like the proper student. As I grew up I’d lock in on the Chefs of the time. The Iron Chef’s to the master’s chef and now the Gordon Ramsay’s Next Level’s chef. I’ve always understood food but people not so much! Read more>>

Oppo Sanchezz

I actually started rapping as a young kid, me and my brother used to record on a fisher price radio and I recorded my 1st official song for a daycare when I was 11 and it’s been a passion of mine ever since Read more>>

Katherine Hasenauer

My name is Katherine Hasenauer, and I’m the founder of Heyy Honey, Co., I’m a mom, entrepreneur, and creative with a love for fashion, travel, music, and finding joy in the little details that make life feel special. Heyy Honey, Co. began as a small creative idea that quickly turned into something much bigger. Read more>>

Tiffani Neal

Barlow’s started in my home in Atlanta’s historic West End neighborhood. Since I can remember I’ve always loved to cook and had a strong appreciation for food and it’s ability to bring people together. During the start of Barlow’s I was in a great space professionally with a successful career in medical sales. Read more>>

Gavin Johnson

I got into film in high school. I shot bad little films in my backyard with my friends, and they were a great time, However what was really interesting was what happened the more we made. The more films we made, the better and better they got. From the camera and visuals, to the editing to the ideas, and that is what really hooked me. Read more>>

Natali Corona

I’m originally from the Dominican Republic, and I’ve been baking since I was a little girl. Since I’m the older sister, I was usually the one in the kitchen experimenting with recipes and having my sister help me out. When I moved to the U.S. in 2012, I spent 12 years working at a company in New York. Read more>>

Andres “Dreco” Jones

My creativity started young, my first love is drawing and painting so my artistic side is something I was born with. Now I didn’t become so confident and loud about my gifts until I started modeling in college at Savannah State when I started pushing the artistic boundaries and stepping more into my authentic gifts. Read more>>

Vedika Mehra

I began my journey in a small town in Punjab, India, where I was first inspired by my mother, an artist who was unable to fully pursue her own creative aspirations. This early influence played a significant role in shaping my interest in visual expression. Read more>>

Jordan Wise

I started my journey in education over 17 years ago, but early on I realized I wasn’t just passionate about teaching—I was driven to build solutions. Working in high-need schools across Metro Atlanta, I saw firsthand that many of the challenges students faced weren’t just academic—they were rooted in school culture, systems, and access to support beyond the classroom. That’s what pushed me into entrepreneurship. Read more>>

Tommie Young

My story honestly started with just trying to become a better version of myself while balancing life, work, fatherhood, and responsibility. Before fitness became my purpose, I worked in different industries including home improvement and commercial driving. I’ve always been a hard worker, but deep down I knew I wanted to make a bigger impact on people’s lives. Read more>>

MES

Before stepping into my career in music, I originally got my start in the visual media world – video production, directing, photography, and touring while creating content for artists and labels including Monstercat. My dad was a professional photographer, and he gave me my first camera when I was around 12 years old. Read more>>

Mohogany

I started rapping in 2023 during one of the lowest points in my life. Music became more than just something I enjoyed — it became an outlet for everything I was dealing with emotionally and mentally at the time. I’ve always been musically inclined growing up, but I never fully saw myself stepping into artistry the way I eventually did. Read more>>

Ana-Alicia Wagner

I’ve been going to shows since I was 15. As I grew up I never figured I would work in music, just enjoyed the shows I would attend and the communities that I gained out of it. After switching my major 5 times, I finally found out what I wanted to do and knew I wanted it to revolve around music somehow. Read more>>

Luis Moreno

I started my career in Boston, MA where I attended the empire beauty school downtown. I was exposed to an extremely diverse clientele in school and grew a passion for cutting all textures of hair. Read more>> 

Nicole Burgess

I’m an actress, author, and multimedia entrepreneur. I’ve been performing on the stage and creating since I was 5 years old: dancing, acting in musicals and plays, and writing through college. The same year I graduated college, I wrote and self-published my first two books, Ingrid Darling and Vérité. Read more>>

Davison Wheeler

I got to where I am today because of trial and error. I started photography after coming on board as a hire at Best Buy in the Digital Imaging department, selling cameras right out of high school. Eventually buying a camera my self just to take good photos of a modified car I had since high school. Read more>>

Lenique Vincent

I began my journey as a performer when my parents placed me in a faith based pageant when I was three years old. The second time I competed at five years old, I won! A judge told my mom that I did so well on stage, she thought I’d be great on TV. Read more>>

Diamond Bratton

I didn’t enter life gently—I entered it in survival. From the beginning, my life was defined by pressure. Childhood wasn’t stable or predictable. It was shaped by loss, instability, and environments where I had to learn quickly how to adapt just to get through the day. Read more>>

Alex (Veyebs) Malone

My story really started in New York. Long before I understood I was building brands or creative platforms, I was creating spaces for people to connect. What began with intimate open mics eventually evolved into poetry slams, art gallery openings, photoshoot link-ups, creative meetups, and neighborhood BBQs — all rooted in expression, culture, and bringing creatives together in real life. Read more>>

India Hightower

Ever since I was young, I’ve always had a deep love and compassion for animals. I naturally connected with them and cared about making them feel safe, understood, and comfortable. As I got older, that passion turned into a career, and I realized I wanted to create a grooming experience that felt different from the traditional fast-paced environment many dogs are used to. Read more>>

Rian Wyld

I became Rian Wyld in 2014 after losing my brother, Ryan, to gun violence. At this time, I was a music major, studying classical piano. I was rapping and writing original songs as a hobby for about two years, but I had no strong artist identity. I was just Iman Joyce, the girl who was raised on every genre of music and always loved music. Read more>>

Jemiah Battle

I was born in Greenville, South Carolina in the 1980s, raised in other places — during a time and environment where instability wasn’t rare… it was normal. My father wasn’t around. My mother worked hard to hold things together. And like many families of that era, we lived close to the consequences of the drug epidemic that impacted entire communities across the South. Read more>>

Max Wavee

I got my official start in music when I went away for college and attended Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, New York and got accepted to its prestigious music program. I took advantage of the fact that music majors had access to professional studios on campus and recorded most of my early stuff with my peers at the time. Read more>>

Juntang Xu

I’m an illustrator based in New York, and my work focuses on visual storytelling through simple, clear imagery. I studied fine art in China and later earned my MFA in Illustration at SCAD. During that time, I explored a wide range of styles and approaches, which helped me build a strong visual foundation. Read more>>

Dr. Aurellia Whitmore

My journey has never fit into just one box, and honestly, that’s what shaped my career. I’m a scientist by training, a business strategist by experience, and a storyteller and advocate at heart. Read more>>

Meechie J. Graham

The striving fashion influencer? Growing up as the only boy sibling in my family, my mom always made sure we all looked good, but especially me. She never wanted me standing out in a bad way. She was still picking out and putting together my clothes all the way into middle school, and honestly I couldn’t stand it at first. Read more>>

Ryaine Cook

I am the youngest of three sisters. Very big shoes to fill. Growing up in a black household where school was my only job, I found my self not fitting into that reality. Even still, I am still set to graduate with my bachelors degree later this year. Somehow I always find myself drawn to the camera. Read more>>

I K Sega

I began as a poet shortly after the passing of my grandfather at 11 years of age in pursuit of honoring his final wishes, that being “take care of and protect the family” and to gain a closer relationship to the divine, as I’d learned early in my life that music is one of the closest things/ways we have for having a way to communicate with the creator of all. Poetry helped me cope with loss in my earlier years Read more>>

Zermina Shah

I am a multidisciplinary artist, and I believe every medium carries its own essence. Charcoal, watercolor, acrylics, and oils each bring a different feeling and energy into the work. I love experimenting and moving between materials, and I don’t think I will ever stop exploring new ways to create. I have always been an artist. Read more>>

Shaunique Jones

Ever since I was young, creativity and self-expression have always come naturally to me. I remember being about six years old, sitting in my room with my dolls: not really focused on making up stories or doing their hair, but changing their outfits over and over to see what looked best together. Read more>>

Onis Hunt

There is so much to share, so much has happened in my life both good and bad that served not only as preparation but also as a catalyst for where I am today. Truthfully, I don’t see myself as some great person standing in any affluent position of success. I am a simple man with a mandate from God to feed His sheep. Read more>>

Tracy Busse

I came to Atlanta to study at the Psychological Studies Institute (currently Richmont Graduate University), where I earned a Master’s in Counseling with a focus in Spiritual Formation. Read more>>

Shanaé Frazier

People always ask me where the name Deeply Rooted came from, and honestly, it came from me trying to figure out who I was before the world started telling me who I needed to be. I started Deeply Rooted during a season of my life when I felt pulled in so many different directions. Read more>>

Brandon Zimmerly

Project Optical was born from my vision to reimagine what the optical experience could be. Read more>>

Hannah Hill

I began painting before I could walk; my father is a painter, and I was always given free range with art supplies in the garage, my father’s studio. Though I was deeply engaged with art, I never considered it a serious pursuit; my first love was acting, and I spent much of my time on stage. Read more>>

Jay Wise

Started off in running around in the. streets in newport news, virginia & became known as someone who knew how to rap around 10 years old. Read more>>

Dana Tyler

If I’m being honest, my story doesn’t start with a five-year plan — it starts with faith. I grew up knowing there was something on the inside of me that was bigger than what I could see on the outside. Read more>>

Ciyana Ramos

I have been dancing for about 14 years now and have been working towards my career of going pro one day. Most of my life hasn’t been sunny and rainbows, I grew up in an abusive with a father who was note very kind. This made me want to work even harder to show I can be more than that. Read more>>

Britt Thompson

Food and cooking have always been a huge part of my life. My dad worked in the restaurant business, and my mom is Italian, so growing up, meals were never just something we ate — they were an experience. If there was a dish we loved, we made it from scratch. Read more>>

Marquavius Lampkin

I’m a lifelong Atlantan, veteran, and hospitality professional, and food has shaped much of my journey. I served in the United States Marine Corps as a 3381 Food Service Specialist, which gave me the opportunity to cook for people from all walks of life and travel around the world. Read more>>

Chanelle Lavise

I started my journey in the beauty industry in 2017 with lashes, driven by a passion for helping people feel confident, seen, and beautiful. What began as a small dream quickly became a deeper journey through entrepreneurship, personal growth, and purpose. Read more>>

Brandon Woodford-Whalen

Growing up in a small town, Louisa Virginia, I was provided a creative imagination and encouraged by my family. I asked a lot of questions, and still do. Curiosity creates experiences. I’ve always leaned into my skillset for learning, becoming a thriving academic as well as connectivity to the Arts. Read more>>

Samantha Gove

I started freelance book editing directly out of university. I began by offering free proofreading to short-story authors and later began charging for novels and longer books. Over time, I expanded my skills to include beta reading and more in-depth forms of book editing. A few years ago, I decided to get serious and registered Raven’s Wing Editing Services as a business. Read more>>

Tracy Savage

I’m an Atlanta-based author, entrepreneur, and creative behind both The Body Speaks and Just Plain Savage Teez. My journey really started from a place of expression and resilience. For years, I’ve always been the person who used creativity to connect with people — whether through custom apparel, community events, or now through writing and speaking. Read more>>

Carina Thomas

I’m a wife and a mother of six children. I have my bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration. I’ve always been drawn to the accounting field there’s something about working with financials, understanding it, talking about it, that just excites me. I started my career in corporate accounting and then at an accounting firm. Read more>>

Ben and Caroline Cartoon

Ben: Starting IMERSE (pronounced the same as “immerse”) was one of the most meaningful decisions Caroline and I have ever made, and honestly, we couldn’t be more grateful for the journey. We had a shared vision of building something where we could truly serve people, not just deliver a service. Read more>>

Roderick Erby

Growing up in a small Mississippi town as a Black queer man taught me how to be aware of everything. My surroundings, how people move, what feels safe and what doesn’t. I learned how to adjust, how to protect myself, and how to exist in ways that made things easier to navigate. Living in Memphis, Chicago, and now Atlanta added new layers to that understanding. Read more>>

Charlotte Riley Webb

The uniqueness of my story is not just about me. It includes an amazing man and artist in the person of my late husband and fellow visual artist, Lucious Webb. I am a painter and he was a sculptor. Read more>>

Jasmyn Davis

I started doing hair at the age of 9 years old. I always got a bratz doll head for Christmas so it either got braided or cut! Being the eldest sister I either did homecoming prep, school dances prep, and prom prep on my younger siblings. High school was about the same. Read more>>

Thomas Gordon

I’ve always had a love for acting and comedy. I used to be signed with an agency in Orlando, but after moving to Georgia, I kind of drifted away from it. Then one random reel assignment at work unlocked something in me again. I forgot how much I genuinely enjoyed performing and making people laugh. Read more>>

Kendall Rae Johnson

Kendall Rae Johnson’s story began with something small: a collard green stem and the wisdom of her great-grandmother, Laura “Kate” Williams. At just three years old, Kendall stood in her family kitchen watching her great-grandmother save leftover collard green stems instead of throwing them away. Kate told her, “Put them back in the dirt.” That simple lesson changed everything. Read more>>

BaLinda MiChaels

BaLinda MiChaels has never been easy to categorize—and that, perhaps, is the secret to her power. She moves fluidly between worlds: filmmaker and casting director, host and recording artist, cultural commentator and faith-rooted creative visionary. Across every lane, one thing remains constant—her commitment to telling stories that are emotionally honest, culturally resonant, and spiritually grounded. Today, as her newest project Mt. Read more>>

Dallas Kage

I started my wrestling training back in April of 2024. Read more>>

Dr. Jasmyn Wright

I was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Pennsauken, NJ, where I watched my single mother push through hardship to provide for our family. She taught my brothers and me that strength, vulnerability, authenticity, and faith can coexist. Growing up in the church, my spiritual upbringing instilled in me the belief that every person is born with purpose. Read more>>

Justin Schoendorf

Monks Meadery was born from a mix of financial necessity and a passion for craft alcohol by high school friends Martin Key and Justin Schoendorf. The story began shortly after the duo graduated college and moved to Atlanta. Read more>>

Aliyah Ferrell

My journey into the fashion and entertainment industry actually started with modeling. At first, I only saw myself in front of the camera, building my portfolio and growing my confidence within the industry. But everything began to shift when a friend connected me with my very first model coaching opportunity. Read more>>

Anthony Owen

Raised in Atlanta and originally from Decatur, Anthony Owen attended DeKalb School of the Arts, where he studied ballet along with scenic and lighting design. His early career was rooted in performance and visual storytelling, dancing professionally for more than 15 years with companies including Royal Caribbean Productions and acclaimed Atlanta theaters such as the Alliance Theatre, Aurora Theatre, and Actor’s Express. Read more>>

Kevin O’Neal

Originally purchased the vehicle to be a family car for myself and my daughter. The intent was to hand it to her when she became of age to drive. I inadvertently became too comfortable with the car and decided to keep it for myself. Read more>>

Michelle Roberts

My journey has been built on faith, resilience, leadership, and a deep love for bringing people together through food. Although I’ve been cooking for over 30 years, I officially launched Dr. Shells Soul Food Kitchen in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Read more>>

laitesha hinton

my start in the beauty industry was unexpected but the best thing to ever happen to me. i began doing my own hair in high school as a means to save money from there my peers began to asked which eventually created “hairbylai” that has now become slayed by lai. Read more>>

Tanisha Hereast

I was born in Brooklyn, raised in the Bronx and moved to Staten Island during my young adulthood. I first became interested in acting around the age of 10 years old. I was highly inspired by watching the show sister sister with Tia and Tamara. I remember always watching, reruns and knowing all of the lines. Read more>>

Deepak Thawani

When I completed my bachelor’s degree, I joined my family business which involves dealing in food and beverages mainly Indian sweets and snacks. For a span of 12 years, I managed and learned every bit of details of food industry. It was in 2024, after feeling exhausted and observing no development further, I realized that I am at the wrong place. Read more>>

Yixin Iggie Zhang

My story starts in Taiyuan, China, where I grew up playing classical piano at the age of six. For a long time, music meant discipline, practice rooms, exams, and playing everything “correctly.” But as I got older, I realized I was more interested in creating my own world of music rather than simply performing in someone else’s. Read more>>

Desirae Garner

I’d be glad to! Since my childhood, I’ve always been connected to creativity in some form, and throughout my childhood, that showed up in bodily movement. From enjoying dance and memorizing dance routines from the top artists of the early 2000s, such as Ciara, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, to Mindless Behavior and the OMG Girlz. Read more>>

LunaverSol

I started everything in Kentucky — my way of life, my appreciation for it, my musical foundation, and so on. Being from south east Kentucky, I was raised playing bluegrass instruments and going to pickin’s every weekend — gatherings where people bring food and instruments to someone’s house, eat, and play music all night. Read more>>

Raphiel Noel

Vital Touch & Healing was built on the belief that healing should be both accessible and intentional. After nearly two decades as a licensed massage therapist, our founder, Raphiel Noel, saw firsthand how many people were living with stress, pain, and burnout—but weren’t prioritizing care because it felt inconvenient or out of reach. Read more>>

EMMANUEL MERIT ADEYEYE

I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to draw comics. Just sitting down, filling pages with characters and worlds I made up. Nobody taught me; I just loved it. And when I got older, that love pushed me to actually learn. Read more>>

Andrew Martinez

It all started in 2012 when I came across an online course about affiliate marketing, which talked about how to make money selling other people’s products and services. The whole premise of the course was to create an email marketing funnel, create a blog, and then strategically insert your affiliate links within all your blog content and email content. Read more>>

BaLinda MiChaels

BaLinda MiChaels has never been easy to categorize—and that, perhaps, is the secret to her power. She moves fluidly between worlds: filmmaker and casting director, host and recording artist, cultural commentator and faith-rooted creative visionary. Across every lane, one thing remains constant—her commitment to telling stories that are emotionally honest, culturally resonant, and spiritually grounded. Today, as her newest project Mt. Read more>>

Kyra & Ruel Hanlan

I, Kyra, have over six years of experience in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. I began my career as a Registered Behavior Technician after earning my bachelor’s degree in Psychology. As I continued my education and pursued my master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology, I transitioned into leadership roles within the ABA field, serving in both Coordinator and Director of Operations positions. Read more>>

Dr. Charlie Watts

My path into pelvic health has been deeply personal as much as professional. Before becoming a pelvic floor occupational therapist, I trained and worked as a labor doula, where I witnessed firsthand how transformative and vulnerable pregnancy, birth, and postpartum can be. Read more>>

Perception Avivah

My name is Perception Avivah, I am a 22-year-old multidisciplinary artist from East Atlanta, Georgia. I have been involved in the arts for as long as I can remember. I have always found beauty, art and music very enticing. Dancing, acting and writing came hand in hand as my comfort. While singing ironically became something I was terrified to do in public. Read more>>

Jennifer Boyd

I’ve always been the kind of person who couldn’t sit still when something good was going unnoticed. At sixteen, that meant I was the kid plastering flyers all over Augusta for local bands and tiny club shows—stapling posters at 2 a.m. outside venues that barely had a stage. I never asked for a dime. Read more>>

Ricky Shoebio

I am a New York-based Creative Director, lifestyle photographer, and the founder of the content collective and agency [Know Your Dope (KYD). I’m recognized for my visual storytelling across the fashion, music, and commercial industries, particularly for my expertise in urban culture and style. I started my career in journalism, eventually rising to become an Executive Editor at a couture publication. Read more>>

Jennifer Norman

My photography career started unexpectedly. I wasn’t someone who ‘grew up with a camera in their hands’ and I certainly didn’t think I would be in this business now for 17 years. I started out in college with the intentions of getting a degree in Childhood Education, but decided on a business degree. Read more>>

Emmanuel Salmeron

Photography has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. There was always something special about picking up a camera and being able to capture moments that truly meant something to the people around me. Read more>>

Fatima Wasim

I, Fatima Wasim Phd. LPC CPCS HSP identify self as a Pakistani Muslim South Asian American Psychologist. Born in Pakistan, my journey to the United States during my mid-adolescent years was driven by the pursuit of enhanced opportunities. This transition presented a significant period of adjustment, yet my parents’ foresight provided more than just basic needs. Read more>>

Linkcon Prezzy Demetrius

Linkcon “Prezzy” Demetrius ​Linkcon “Prezzy” Demetrius is a versatile entrepreneur, music producer, and the CEO/Founder of Driven Paper Next Level Entertainment. Based out of Montreal, he is recognized for his ‘artist-first’ philosophy and his resilience within the music industry. ​Career & Business Ventures • ​Driven Paper Next Level: His current entertainment company focuses on artist relations, development, event production, and digital distribution. Read more>>

Taylor Maddox

I’ve been a creative and a visionary for as long as I can remember. Whether I was drafting script concepts, designing garments, sketching interiors, or performing in school productions, there was never a question of if my life would revolve around creativity; only how. Read more>>

Sincere Jenkins

When I first graduated high school, I got pregnant almost instantly and made the decision that college was not the best move for me at that time. My priority became my child, so I started working immediately and saving as much money as possible to create stability for us. Read more>>

Zaria Owens

My name is Zaria Owens and I am the CEO/Founder of Charlie’s Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to serve individuals and families in need. I started this nonprofit, at the age of 16 in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, I saw so many people in need. Read more>>

Diva District

I started Diva District with a simple vision to create a space where confidence, style, and community come together. Early on, it was about identifying a gap and realizing that women wanted more than just products or services, they wanted to feel seen, empowered, and connected. Building Diva District took persistence, learning as I went, and staying committed even when growth was slow. Read more>>

Shahlayo Ranson

I’ve always been a multi-hyphenate. Growing up, creativity was just part of how I moved — I learned photography from my mom, taught myself graphic design, and whenever I came to her with a new interest, she found a way to make it happen. I remember her taking me to Pearl Paint in New York to buy inking tools because I wanted to draw comics. Read more>>

Shakeenan Griffin

I grew up as a military kid, moving around the country until 2019, when I settled in Atlanta. I was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 2000. Throughout my life, I’ve explored various art forms in each place I lived, including acting, filmmaking, modeling, and photography. When I arrived in Atlanta to attend SCAD, I pursued a BFA in Film/Television with a minor in acting. Read more>>

Ricky Desai

Limelight Link was born from a very personal experience. In 2019, my father-in-law, Andy, was paralyzed after a traumatic accident. Almost immediately, our family was thrown into a world we weren’t prepared for, and one of the most frustrating challenges was simply getting him where he needed to go. Transportation was unreliable, inefficient, and at times unsafe. Read more>>

Brian Kovener

My story honestly makes a little more sense looking backward than it did while I was living it. I never had some master plan to end up in publishing, but I’ve always been someone who likes building things, connecting people, and figuring things out as I go. Read more>>

Marcus & Jade Jerido

Jade and I are Alabama-born, Atlanta-built. We came up here looking for a bigger room to grow into, and Atlanta gave it to us. The story didn’t start with weddings. It started inside a boutique called Tres Jolies, where we were shooting and styling our own content because hiring a new photographer for new arrivals became EXPENSIVE – and we had a great photographer! Read more>>

Romusa Media

Romusa Media was born out of a love and passion for publishing books as well as a recognition of the independent path in lieu of traditional publishing. Read more>>

Melissa Cowles

I was a public school teacher., raising my own 2 children with a husband in the military and often deployed. In 2013 my daughter graduated highschool and began college. Soon after, she was invited to Bali, to work with doctors and nurses regarding western medicine and updated practices. While there we began to plan the ultimate mother daughter trip. Read more>>

Shontella Turner

My journey started with a passion for creativity, storytelling, and helping others bring their vision to life. I launched my brand in 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia under Humble Promotionzz LLC, focusing on events, promotion, and graphic design. As I grew, I expanded to Jacksonville, Florida in 2020 and rebranded into Ahshay Studios, stepping deeper into photography, branding, and creative direction. Read more>>

Chanel Brown

Hi, I’m Chanel, a 25-year-old lifestyle, beauty, travel, and wellness creator based in Atlanta, and I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Health Education and Wellness Management. My journey hasn’t been a straight line, and honestly, that’s what makes it so meaningful to me. For a long time, I thought I had my life completely planned out. Read more>>

Dj SoVain

I’m originally From Philadelphia but moved down to the suburbs of north Atlanta when I was about 13. I always had a passion and an ear for music growing up. From jazz to soft rock I listen to it . My thing was if it caught my ear I’m loving it. Read more>>

Chatera “Tera” Unique

So Jada and I met at a networking event here in Atlanta called showcase club. It’s where 7 teams of 1 photographer and 1 model compete for best photo. The catch is everyone only gets 2 shots. We met when I was competing and she was spectating. Then, we were randomly in the same fashion show back in September by FACEs of Fulton county. Read more>>

Latoya Johnson

She was never supposed to follow a straight path—and she didn’t. A high school dropout from the class of 1999, she rewrote her story on her own terms, earning her GED in 2002 while navigating a fast-paced, party-driven lifestyle that often placed her on the edge of trouble. Read more>>

Nila N3ptune

I began working right away at age 15 1/2 (I had the job lined up), as I thought that money automatically equaled freedom. The plan was to work, to make money, then to be free ~ in that order. It took 20 years of me working in the corporate world to realize…’step one and two are recycling…this ain’t it’. Read more>>

Mason Mishael

Well my dad instilled a love of music in me from before I could even talk. He’d play Billy Joel, Tom Petty, and Fleetwood Mac in the car ALL the time. So by the time I was 16, I started learning covers of classic rocks songs on the piano. And for some reason I started recording them and putting them on YouTube. Read more>> 

Bonnie Darco

I started a two-year artist development journey that has utilize many skills that I have acquired and developed over my years of experience and tech business team and project management as well as fashion style and art directing. Read more>>

JaCarla Walker

Care & Give Back to Veterans At Care & Give Back to Veterans, we believe service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Our mission is to educate and support Veterans and their families by helping them better understand healthcare and benefit coordination topics related to service-connected resources. Founded by JaCarla Walker, our organization bridges the gap between Veterans and complex benefit systems. Read more>>

Steve Prather

Steve Prather is the current Post 2 Alderman in the City of Acworth, in his first term after being elected in 2023. Prior to serving as an Alderman, Steve had a long history of serving in and around the Acworth Community. Read more>>

Taylor Woolley

I began illustrating in 2017 while working as a graphic designer at a digital marketing agency. My day job was mostly programming web banner ads, so drawing on lunch breaks and after work became my way to stretch a different creative muscle, usually by sketching dachshunds inspired by my own dogs. Read more>>

Jacorey Moon

Since childhood, I’ve always had an affinity for fashion. My great-grandmother was a neighborhood seamstress in East Point. She often sewed clothes for our family, her friends, and others in the community. In her sewing room were stacks of Vogue magazines and sewing pattern books, and I would sit and read while she was fulfilling an order or bringing an idea to life. Read more>>

Alexis Farley

I started photography back in high school after taking a film class that really sparked my interest in cameras and storytelling. After I graduated, my dad gifted me my first camera, and I immediately started practicing—taking photos of friends, random moments, and anything I could to build my skills. I was also learning a lot on my own through YouTube and hands-on experience. Read more>>

Kadeem Alphanso Fyffe

I was born in Queens, New York, to Jamaican immigrant parents and raised in Durham, North Carolina. I’ve always been drawn to the arts and interested in fashion, but I really began to hone my skills and build toward my goals as a student at Durham School of the Arts. Read more>>

Teddy McAlli

Let’s take it back to middle school. By the end of the summer of 2008, I developed a nickname for myself: ‘Teddy.’ It suited me because I was the short, big guy always filled with love and joy. As I was transitioning to moving to Columbia, South Carolina while finishing middle school and preparing for high school, I decided to take that name with me. Read more>>

Shel Levy

Starting at 16 years old, I was introduced to camera in editing while in my junior year of high school. The love and passion came when I was placed into an editing class due to having too many credits before graduating, from there our first assignment was to shoot and edit a music video and I instantly fell in love with the process. Read more>>

Christopher Paul

So my story, as I like to call it, started when I took a well needed vacation to New York. it was there when I discovered how much I could do simply just using my iPhone and a brain full of ideas. so much environmental inspiration and experimentation thrown to me from every corner, there was no way not to create. Read more>>

Angel Parrilla

Photography has honestly always been in the picture for me. I’ve still got this old album of polaroids from way back in 2013, and even on the walls at home, I have canvases of my daughter I shot when she was just one. The eye was always there, I just wasn’t calling it a career yet. Read more>>

Jonathan Solorio

I grew up in San Diego in a Hispanic household where family celebrations were everything. Quinceañeras, birthdays, milestones. There was always a photographer there, but I never thought about being one myself until I picked up a camera as a teenager and realized I actually had an eye for it. I started shooting whatever I could: events, portraits, anything to build a portfolio. Read more>>

Cyion Riggins

My name is Cyion but you can call me Cy, and I am a native of Atlanta, Georgia, born and raised. My journey into photography began unexpectedly in 2016 when I purchased my first professional camera as a birthday gift to myself. Shortly afterward, I captured photos of a friend’s child being born, and before long, people began reaching out to book photo shoots. Read more>>

Rylen Huber

I got into photography pretty early on because my sister was a photographer, so I was always around cameras growing up. She would pass her old equipment down to me, and that’s really where I started learning just by experimenting and taking photos whenever I could. Read more>>

Cleopatra Bonny

I started Royale Graphics in December 2020 after having passion for the arts during my childhood. I always enjoyed art in many forms especially digital and that what led me to turn this passion into profit. I started the business by offering personal branding such as YouTube Intros, Outros, and Banners. Read more>>

Marq Jimmy

I started out balancing a career in public service while creating content around cars, something I’ve always been passionate about. What began as simple videos sharing my experiences with my Mustang and car culture quickly grew as people connected with the authenticity, humor, and real-life ownership perspective I bring. Read more>>

Allison Smith

I started with my church. Decorating for church events, as time went by other people saw my work and liked it so I started decorating for other people. I started working from my garage and home, Later the word got around town and here I am decorating for bigger clients and I love it. It’s definitely my passion. Read more>>

Talisha McCoy

I started as an independent solo artist (singer/songwriter) . In West Georgia. a small country town where the minority do not have a welcoming platform/stage for artist to promote their music. When the stage doesn’t feel welcoming or they just wont allow you on a stage, you have to create your own. Read more>>

Andy Tran

So funny enough, I did not come from the beauty industry, or the Nails industry. I came from the banking industry.! I used to manage at Bank of America where I focus on management incustomer service and dealt up with a lot of small business owners! Read more>>

Blaine Hensley

I began any considerable part of my life as an athlete. I was on my way to becoming a state runner for Cross-Country and Track around 2o16 and that was also a time where I was really trying to find myself. I wasn’t really happy being an athlete. I also found myself unable to make any true, lasting friends. Read more>>

Matt Barfield

I’ve had a passion for whiskey for many years. It’s more than just an alcoholic beverage. The brand history, small nuances that influence the whiskey, and the day to day distillery operations have always intrigued me. In 2020, I created The Whiskey Fly as a way to further my love for the hobby and connect with like minded individuals. Read more>>