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.

Heaven Saunders

I started tattooing at the age of 14. At that age I was in school, to keep busy, me and my brother met a local tattoo artist by the name of Red, cool guy very urban and wild but down to earth. Read more>>

Sherry Pellegrino

What began as a passion for old houses and structures has turned into saving time and history one home/structure at a time. We found our passion from old homes back in 2016 when we purchased a property with structures on it from the late 1700’s and later. Some had been restored and some needed restoration. Read more>>

Savii Callender

My story is still unfolding, right now I’m focused, improving my discipline, and refining my mind, body, and spirit through hard work. Over the years I’ve been learning how to turn both good and bad experiences into something meaningful. It’s not up to me who gets inspired but that’s one of the many challenges that comes with ambition. Read more>>

Shadiyah Jai

Born in Washington DC, and raised in the Carolina’s, I come from an incredibly gifted family of artists. My Grandparents were quite musical, especially my grandmother, who was a pianist from quite a young age up until her passing. Aunts and Uncles had their special talents as well, from metal drummers, and authors to artists of the visual medium. Read more>>

Tasha Washington

Our Family’s Favorite Bakery was born from a recipe, but its roots run much deeper than flour, sugar, and butter. Growing up, my grandmother, Alma Louise, was known for her red velvet cake. It wasn’t just a dessert—it was a tradition, a staple at family gatherings, and quite honestly, everyone’s favorite. Read more>>

Rae Jones

When I was young I used to read aloud to my mom for practice. My favorite game was to start making up the story once I got a few chapters in to see how long it would take her to notice. I suppose this is where my writing journey began. Read more>>

Adriel Conde

I picked up my first mini DV video camera as a Christmas gift in high school. I started with home movies for my family, for our vacations and get-togethers. The magic created by playing back these memories was not lost on me. Read more>>

KeDarius Johnson

I started out doing photography at a studio in 2018 for multiple rappers in Nashville, Tennessee working with a manager named Lacman. He would tell people about me and would help me get bookings. Then one day i was asked by an artist that came to his studio if I knew how to shoot music videos and i said ‘yea, i think’. Read more>>

Chanel Chaibooskie

I began my journey in content creation back in 2011, when I posted my first YouTube videos just for fun. Although I always dreamed of being a video creator, it wasn’t until later that I fully pursued it. My friends started streaming, and that was the push I needed. Read more>>

Deborah Yonren

MY name is Yonren Deborah, am a Nurse by profession & fitness / wellness content creator , my journey of creating content began 2024 due to my overweight, and all these was derived form bench eating & depression. Read more>>

Amanda Swartz

My connection to healthcare started long before I ever worked in billing or operations. I grew up around healthcare workers, especially my mom, who spent more than four decades as a Director of Nursing in senior living communities. From a young age, I was volunteering in dementia care units and seeing firsthand how much responsibility, compassion, and structure it takes to care for people well. Read more>>

Star The Musician

# The Story of STAR THE MUSICIAN My journey in music started when I was five years old. I grew up in the church, where faith, family, and music were deeply rooted in my upbringing. My grandmother made sure we were always involved Bible study, choir rehearsal, Vacation Bible School, morning service, evening service you name it, we were there. Read more>>

Kariim Smith

I’ve loved fitness for as long as I can remember, but becoming a coach wasn’t part of my original plan. Before starting Body by Kariim Fitness, I was involved in real estate investing and experienced some early success. Then the 2006 recession hit, and like many people during that time, I lost everything. Read more>>

Camille Davis

As an actress, author, and entrepreneur, I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and connecting with people. Unexpectedly, one of the most meaningful stories I’ve found myself telling began with something as simple as garlic. I’ve always loved garlic. Long before black garlic became part of my life, I was the person roasting whole bulbs and enjoying the cloves with olive oil. Read more>>

Neil Tunstall

I am Neil Tunstall a son, brother, student, uncle, and follower of Jesus Christ. I am a life long resident of Georgia but more specifically I grew up in the Stockbridge and Hampton Areas of metro Atlanta. I am the youngest of 4 Children and the product of two amazing parents, Miriam and Nicholas Tunstall. Read more>>

Zazyloge Chensritong

Growing up, I always knew I loved the arts and the different ways to express myself. In high school, I was a stage manager for 4 years, and coming into college, I wanted to focus on film production, but I ended up doing a 180 and stepping fully into STEM and psychology research. Read more>>

James Mincey

I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with my family back in 2011. And I was 9 years old at the time, so I didn’t really know much about Atlanta. I just knew that Atlanta was a beautiful, big city full of opportunities. Growing up, I participated in chorus all my school life from elementary to high school. Read more>>

Christy Batantou

# Your Story I’m Christy Batantou, a 23-year-old Atlanta native, and I’ve always loved sharing the city I call home. While my content has evolved over the years, one thing has stayed constant: Atlanta has always been at the heart of it. Read more>>

Ni’Kay Ranae

My name is Ni’Kay Ranae, and I am the founder and designer behind Nikki J Collection LLC. My journey began with a passion for fashion, creativity, and helping women feel confident from the inside out. What started as a love for styling and creating unique pieces gradually evolved into a fashion brand focused on empowerment, confidence, and self-expression. Read more>>

Madison Morris-Ross

My story began when I woke up one day and decided to apply to work as a volunteer for Atlanta Fashion Week. Before I was just a girl going to work and in school, but I realized school just wasn’t for me and I wanted to pursue my dream which was dance. Read more>>

She Keene

I grew up in Macon, Georgia, at a time when the expectations for Girls and Women were much narrower than they are today. When I graduated from high school, most young Women were expected to either get married and raise a family or go to college to become a teacher or nurse. Read more>>

Kaelin Lee

I got into floristry while trying to find a hobby to create a better work life balance for myself. I have always made arrangements for my home but started to truly focus on learning from several florists in the area and attending workshops. I started off by posting my arrangements and after a while I began to receive order inquires. That’s the super short version. Read more>>

Oleta Bailey

People often ask how I got started, but for me, Fancy Shots has always been about more than a photo booth. My passion has always been making people feel good about themselves and putting a smile on their faces. In many ways, my business is a ministry that just happens to be a business. Read more>>

Marleen Salters

I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and from a young age, I knew I wanted to make a positive impact in the lives of others. After high school, I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where I attended Clark Atlanta University and earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Read more>>

Jason Seagle

I (Jason) am an Atlanta native and moved to Bozeman, Montana, for college in the early-1990s, where I soon discovered the original Secondwind consignment shop that opened in 1988. Secondwind quickly became my favorite Montana shop, and I always thought that it seemed like a great business model, especially for a gear junkie, like myself. Read more>>

LaTashia Fowler

Some years back, I was in a low place in my life and had no real way to express myself. I didn’t let people in much, couldn’t afford a therapist, and the passion that I used to have for writing and music faded out after I lost my dad. Read more>>

Verdine Devon Andrews

Verdine Devon Andrews but best known as The Humble Lord Veezus, is the son of a Bass Player & UCT lecturer, Alistair Andrews. His father plays the bass guitar, hence music has always been a part of Veezus’s lifestyle. Read more>>

Polina Williams

My journey into event production actually started long before SPS Productions. In 2010, I founded a nonprofit organization focused on bullying awareness and creating support groups for those who had experienced bullying. We organized free monthly outings that brought together people of all ages, creating a sense of community and connection. Read more>>

Egypt & Jasmyn Dudley

I’ve been a dancer and performer my whole life. (Egypt) So in 2007 when I found out I was pregnant with my daughter, (Jasmyn) my dreams of having a ‘perfect ballerina’ were already etched in my mind. Read more>>

Isi Laureano

1983: I was born and raised in Trias Street, Hulong Duhat, Malabon, surrounded by generations of women and elders who cooked not as a profession, but as a way of life. I grew up in a household where food was always freshly made, never stored, because the palengke was just there—part of our daily rhythm. Read more>>

Shawn Brown

I was born and raised in Inglewood, California, and moved to Georgia in 2011 with a dream of building something meaningful for my family and my community. My journey has been anything but traditional. In 1994, I survived a devastating car accident that took the life of my 10-week-old son and left me pronounced dead twice. Read more>>

Ronnie Belizaire

I’ve spent the last 20 years building my career as an interior designer, but at its core, my journey has always been about people, relationships, and creating environments that help organizations thrive. I started in design because I was drawn to the intersection of creativity and problem-solving. Read more>>

Ryan King Scales

As children, we are all asked that one question that decides our fate for the rest of our lives… ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ As I child, I gave my most honest answer… ‘I want to be a super hero!’ Growing up wasn’t the easiest thing for me, as I wasn’t heavy into sports like my other cousins. Read more>>

Jenna Phavorachit

Hospitality has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents owned Asian grocery stores and Thai restaurants, so I grew up helping in family businesses from an early age. While I’m actually Lao, not Thai, the two cultures share many culinary traditions, and I was surrounded by both growing up. Read more>>

Aaliyah Arrington

Wow! As far as Everythangdope goes…My partner Nikki Harris had the amazing idea of selling vintage clothing in the middle of one of the most craziest times in history…the Pandemic! We were both kind of over our current work situations and wanted to pivot. Read more>>

The Full ‘Monti’ Morris

Well I started off with Ayo Smith at Ayo’s V.I.Ps. I left there and went to work for modern Madam C.J Walker, The Queen of Natural Hair Taliah Waajid. Read more>>

Robert Mason

My story is one of perseverance, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. I grew up in challenging circumstances, facing many of the obstacles that too often derail the dreams of young people. Like many others, I experienced setbacks, made mistakes, and had moments when the path forward seemed uncertain. Read more>>

Tamara Verriett

One day sitting on the computer at work this vision flashed before my very eyes. I shook it off because my thoughts were that could not come true. As I went about my daily routine months later words to write in my first book came to me. It was connected to the vision I had months ago. Read more>>

Marrita Crockett-Moulton

My name is Marrita Crockett-Moulton. I am the co-founder of Rita Crockett Beach Sports Academy 501c(3) (RCBSA) and the co-founder of D.R.E.A.M Kids Expo. My entire life has been rooted in athletics, education, and collegiate coaching. I look at everything through a strategy and teamwork lens, but most importantly, as a protector. Read more>>

Lucas Ellison

I grew up in Santa Monica, where I got my start editing videos. That eventually led me to directing music videos, and from there I made the move to Georgia to begin my first year at SCAD, where I’m pursuing my film degree. Read more>>

Whitney Bentley

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I studied Business Management with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship at Georgia Southern University before attending law school and building a career in contracts management. While I enjoyed my professional career, I always knew I wanted to build something of my own. My interest in the salon suite industry began more than a decade ago. Read more>>

Sims

My name is Daniel “D.Sims” Simmons, and I’m a music producer, recording engineer, and songwriter originally from Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up in a military family, I moved around quite a bit, which exposed me to different cultures and musical influences at an early age. Read more>>

Crystal Law

I grew up in the most loving family and I’m forever grateful for them; I unfortunately learned of being adopted very early, which meant I spent a significant part of my early life asking the questions so many young women ask: Who am I? Do I belong here? Is there a place for me? I didn’t find the answers overnight. Read more>>

Adalid Aparicio Cespedes

I started my career working as a laborer for a landscaping company. While many people were there just for a paycheck, I was always trying to learn how the business worked—from installation techniques to customer relationships and project management. One week, my foreman asked me to help translate for a customer. Read more>>

LaTasha Scott

My entrepreneurial journey began more than 20 years ago with a passion for bringing people together through food, hospitality, and memorable experiences. As the owner of Promised Land Foods & Catering, I started with a vision of creating exceptional culinary experiences while serving my community with excellence and hospitality. Read more>>

Carolina Romero

Valley’s Bakery was born from the union of science, a passion for baking, and the desire to give people with gluten-related dietary restrictions the opportunity to enjoy exceptional baked goods without having to compromise on flavor, texture, or quality. I am a chemist by training, and for many years I worked as a university professor and researcher. Read more>>

Autumn Corin

Hey, everyone! My name is Autumn Corin. I’m a 24-year-old R&B singer, songwriter, digital creator, entrepreneur, and recent graduate of Berklee College of Music. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—I’ve been singing since I was in diapers and have been pursuing it professionally for the past six years. Read more>>

Perry Clarke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Perry Clarke Hi Perry , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? It all start with me starting a clothing brand called Dangerous Paradise. I started doing custom hoodies , cause I want something no one else could have. Customize headbands , shirts , and even pants. Read more>>

elsy Aguirre

I am Venezuelan, 45 years old, and my story—the very reason I am in this country and alive today—has Almighty God as its sole protagonist. My story is not my own; it is a testimony of God’s love. Read more>>

OBICHI MARSHALL

I’m Obichi Marshall, a filmmaker, actress, entrepreneur, and storyteller driven by purpose. My journey began with a passion for creating stories that inspire, challenge perspectives, and leave a lasting impact. Over the years, I’ve explored different creative paths, from beauty and media to film production, each one teaching me resilience, discipline, and the importance of staying true to my vision. Read more>>

kascha wilburn

My journey has been shaped by faith, perseverance, and a love for storytelling. I was born and raised in Texas and later made my way to Atlanta, where I began pursuing opportunities in the entertainment industry while continuing my work in education and youth development. Acting started as a passion, but over time it grew into something much bigger. Read more>>

Amber Legare

Ever since I was a little girl, growing up in Charleston, SC, I’ve always enjoyed being in front of the camera , and knew one day I was going to be a model. It came natural to me. Dressing up and taking pictures was always my favorite thing to do ! Read more>>

Lacy Rookes

The journey to my floral business, Moxie Blossoms, began unintentionally when I volunteered to donate flower arrangements at my son’s elementary school. While they were coping with a loss in the school community, our neighborhood wanted to shower them with love and support through various gift cards and treats. Read more>>

Ulanda kaye Smith

When I was little, my mom entered me in local pageants. It was so much fun. Years later, I told my sister I wanted to model. She smiled and said ‘Let’s get you modeling!’ I signed up with a modeling school. I won a competition with them. The prize was an advertisement on the NASDAQ bill board in Times Square. The advertisement ran 26 times. Read more>>

Amanda Rose

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene and worked as a dental hygienist for several years before taking a chance on a part-time social media role with a startup. What began as managing social media quickly grew into overseeing operations, events, and community outreach, eventually leading me into a corporate career managing memberships, conferences, and communications. Read more>>

Emmanuella Takem

My journey began with a genuine love for fashion during my college years. What started as a personal interest gradually became something much bigger. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself navigating one of the more challenging periods of my life, and instead of allowing those circumstances to define me, I chose to pour my energy into building something meaningful. Read more>>

Nico Julia

My journey to Sakura Sake Bar started far from sake. I began my hospitality career as a busboy in a small café in Miami Shores after dropping out of high school. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about helping lead a bar or building beverage programs. I was simply trying to find direction. Read more>>

Dr. Stephanie Okeke

My journey is defined by a unique, unapologetic collision of two distinct worlds: elite clinical medicine and high-level creative expression. Since I was a little girl, I have always expressed a deep desire to be a healer and a doctor. Read more>>

Dr. Will Gravely

I founded The Stained Glass Project in 2016 as a response to the social and cultural tension I witnessed in society. The Stained Glass Project was birthed as the focus of my doctoral research at Emory (Candler School of Theology). I took a leap when beginning my doctoral studies by quitting my job just after beginning the program. Read More>>

Lexi Lineberger

I was raised by music. My mother often jokes about how most households will stress to stay quiet so they can avoid waking a baby from her nap, but with me it was different. Our living room was full of musicians that were jamming while I slept peacefully in the room next to them. Read More>>

Fever Fawn

I was a big dancer during my childhood, I was always expressing myself artistically. I had tried to do vocal lessons when I realized I enjoyed singing but was too young. Then I got to high school and began the vocal lessons along with guitar lessons. Read More>>

Joshua VanDyke

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit since I was young so I’ve tried many different things. Cars always put a twinkle in my eye so I played around with that off and on. I worked at a dealership and it was the best professional experience thus far. Read More>>

Michelle Lenis Liberto

My journey into production design began summer 2025 when I started creating photoshoot sets out of layered fabric. I had been wanting to try set design of some time when a good friend of mine asked me to create the set for one of her photoshoots. Read More>>

Kennedy Lucas Patterson,MBA

My name is **Kennedy Lucas Patterson, MBA**, and my journey has always been rooted in one simple belief: creativity has the power to change lives, build communities, and create opportunities where none previously existed. Growing up, I was fascinated by storytelling in all of its forms. Read More>>

Jazmine Jackson

Jazmine Jackson is a beauty entrepreneur, product formulator, content creator, and community builder based in Atlanta, Georgia. With more than a decade of experience in the beauty industry, she began her career as a hairstylist before expanding into product development and building her own successful beauty brand. Read More>>

Larrissa Randolph

I’m originally from Stone Mountain, Georgia, where I was born and raised. Growing up, I was heavily involved in all-star cheerleading, which taught me discipline, resilience, and how to perform under pressure. At the same time, I was always creative. Read More>>

Lauren Wilson

I got into modeling in 2025 as a creative outlet outside of my normal 9-to-5. What started as a few photoshoots quickly became a passion, and I loved being in front of the camera. Since then, I’ve built my portfolio, graduated modeling school, connected with some amazing photographers and creatives, and found my place in automotive and lifestyle modeling. Read More>>

Jamal Stewart

I’m Jamal Alphonso Stewart—a community builder, entrepreneur, creative director, operations leader, and cultural curator based in Charlotte, North Carolina. My story is rooted in my Jamaican and Liberian heritage and shaped by a faith-centered upbringing. Raised in the church, I learned the values of service, leadership, hospitality, and community—principles that continue to guide both my personal life and professional journey. Read More>>

Natoya ‘Krassh’ Nicholas

Thank you for the opportunity my story started over 5 years ago when I created my 1st Podcast Production called Lite Talk Podcast Inc. It was a good ride, we had different topics for each day of the week, including sports, finance, current events, Motivation & MORE. Read More>>

Shakira Wright

I was born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, where resilience, faith, and determination were not optional. They were a way of life. Entrepreneurship has been part of my journey for more than a decade, but the foundation was laid long before I ever started a business. I have always believed in creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. Read More>>

Nina Ferentinos

My Personality Portrait journey started with school photography. For years, I photographed hundreds of children and noticed something interesting. The photos where kids were being themselves—laughing, making silly faces, showing big personalities—were often my favorites. But when the galleries went out, parents would usually order the traditional smiling portraits instead. That observation stayed with me. Read More>>

Kiara ‘Kiki’ Tomkins

I’m a 27-year-old legal professional based in Atlanta, Georgia, and my journey has always been rooted in service, discipline, and storytelling through presence. I started out with a strong interest in public service and communication, which led me to study political science and later step into the legal field as a paralegal. Read More>>

Neha Patel

I got married and joined my husband’s company, Myriann, to help him grow the agency. That’s really where my professional journey in design began. Even before that, I always had a passion for web design. In high school, I competed in web design competitions across the state of Louisiana as part of the FBLA club. Read More>>

Evyn Barron

Rhude House started back in college at KSU when Owen Westphal and I (Evyn Barron) met in our school’s film club “For Film’s Sake.” At the time, the school did not provide any useful film equipment so we did the next best thing: we started buying our own film equipment using misappropriated scholarship funds! Read More>>

Aaryn Gagum

Hi, I’m Aaryn! I’m originally from North Carolina, but my husband and I moved to Atlanta, from Seattle, for our careers in tech. What was supposed to be a career move turned into home, largely because of the incredible community I’ve found here. Read More>>

Cheeko Fue

Born in Gary, Indiana. Myrna Roaque walked in the snow to deliver her son on January 13th, with a 6ft tumor in Gary Indiana, survived and beat that cancer. Moved to Miami at 2 years old our transportation was a 10 speed bike with baby seat behind the seat. Read More>>

Shelby Harris

Today, I’m the owner and operator of State + Jones Coffee, a Johns Creek hub for great coffee, breakfast, and community. But my path here wasn’t a straight line. Just two years ago, I made a major pivot from teaching violin to diving full-time into my entrepreneurial journey. Read More>>

Kentisha Shine

I always grew up either singing in a church or singing with my family and so I always had music in my life even small. I started out in Band playing the clarinet and choir in 6th grade after I did those music tests they had us do in elementary school! Read More>>

Jabrilla Carr

I am originally from Sacramento, California, but moved to the Atlanta area in February 2022. Prior to that, I worked as a Child Welfare Social Worker in Sacramento. While the work was meaningful and impactful, it was also emotionally demanding, and after five years, I found myself burned out. Read More>>

George Paul Knapp

My journey began in Houston during the 2018 era, before the pandemic changed the world as we knew it. Back then, life felt different. People moved differently. Businesses operated differently. The world had not yet been forced to stop, adjust, and rebuild. Like everyone else, I changed during that time. Read More>>

Danielle Hodge

My journey has never followed a straight line, but looking back, every chapter prepared me for the work I do today. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and throughout my life I’ve been drawn to opportunities that allowed me to serve others. Read More>>

Mia Isabel Carrasco

My journey into the film and music industry didn’t happen overnight. Growing up, I wanted to be a dancer. Up until I was ten, I wanted to be a singer. And then when I was thirteen, I wanted to draw. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that, though my interests have changed, each one was all an excuse to tell a visual story. Read More>>

Cali Moshea

Hi, my name is Calvionne Brown. Many people know me as Cali Moshea now. I am a model and a creator. Modeling has been my passion for as long as I knew what a camera was. When I was as young as 13 my parents began investing in my dreams of being a model, actress and a musician. Read More>>

Kyra Allen

My name is Kyra Allen, and my journey has been a combination of creativity, entrepreneurship, and a passion for helping people. I graduated from Indiana Tech, majoring in Fashion Marketing and Management, which gave me a strong foundation in branding, consumer behavior, and business strategy. Read More>>

Karris Reeves-Robinson

I have always had a love for all things beauty! I didn’t believe (or understand) that I could have a career that supported my passion. I went to college like I was encouraged to do and received a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Read More>>

Krystal Meyer

Every year for my birthday I enjoy going to a quaint mountain town, renting a cabin, relaxing in nature and exploring the area. In 2019 I was inspired by one we were renting in Blue Ridge and started day dreaming about owning one of my own. Read More>>

The Bakery Atlanta

The Bakery began in 2017 as a grassroots artist collective creating opportunities for artists to collaborate, experiment, and share work with their community. After several years of operating as a volunteer-led initiative, we became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2023 to build a more sustainable foundation for the work we had already been doing. Since then, our growth has been remarkable. Read More>>

Edson Brandao

My path to becoming a globally recognized influencer in anti-aging and biohacking began during the early days of the pandemic. With the world at a standstill and so many people struggling physically and mentally, I saw an opportunity to make a difference.I launched a website dedicated to health and longevity, and soon after, published my debut book, Young After 40. Read More>>

Aaron Perkins Jr (APJ)

The Story Behind APJ Films & Purple Box Videos After graduating from college, I found myself in a position that a lot of young creatives can relate to. I was applying for jobs, but despite having the skills, the opportunities just weren’t there. The corporate world wasn’t hiring, and instead of waiting for someone to give me a chance, I decided to create my own. Read More>>

Chris Leon

Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the body in motion. I loved playing and watching sports, focusing in on the biomechanics of how athletes move. I chose to study Kinesiology and Wellness in college to further my curiosity and love of biomechanics, while also coaching junior Olympic gymnasts at a local gym. Read More>>

Aaron Seskin

After spending a couple of years wandering through university trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, a friend who worked in a salon suggested I give hairdressing a try. I never thought of it as a serious career, more something fun to do while I sorted things out. I had no idea I’d click with it right away. Read More>>

Shalana & Rashona Miller

Anyone in the entertainment industry knows that the time you spend trying to book the next gig is stressful meanwhile bills are due. Infact, we worked as telemarketers in Hollywood off of Sunset & Vine trading to convince people to switch their home phone service to AT&T. It wasn’t as sexy of a job like the travel industry but it was an honest one. Read More>>

Kira Igbowu

I was born and raised in New York, but Atlanta has been an important part of my life for nearly three decades. Many of my closest friends live there, I still own a home there, and what began as regular visits to see friends and family eventually became a second community, both personally and professionally. Read More>>

Debbie Onyibe

Hey there, former Disney kid reporting for duty, haha! I have always been weird in many good ways. I spent a lot of time in my own head growing up. As an only child with young parents who worked hard, I learned independence early. Boarding school reinforced it. By seventeen, I was already in university and figuring out life largely on my own. Read More>>

Zipporah Roberts

My journey as a creator and entrepreneur started with a simple passion for sharing my life and experiences online. I began creating content because I enjoyed connecting with people, telling my story, and expressing my creativity. Over time, I realized that social media could be more than just a hobby; it could be a platform to build a personal brand, create opportunities, and inspire others. Read More>>

Diavione Johnson

Photography has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Long before I ever considered it a career, I was the person documenting every family gathering. While everyone else was busy enjoying the moment, I was preserving it. Capturing candid smiles, laughter, and the small details that often go unnoticed. Read More>>

Mark Williams

I’m just a kid from the Bronx who fell in love with hip-hop at a young age. My dad rapped to me in the womb, I wrapped on the loudspeaker in high school, I Got offered a record deal by Missy Elliott as a young 22-year-old man. Read More>>

Amanda Ethridge

Get Stacked Beads was born during one of the hardest seasons of my life. In a time when I felt lost, I leaned into my faith and began making jewelry as a creative outlet. What started as a way to heal, quickly became something so much bigger. Through creating, I found peace. Read More>>

Malika Rucker

My journey with baking started from a very personal place. After being diagnosed with PCOS, I began learning more about nutrition and finding foods that worked better for my body. As I explored healthier options, I started experimenting in my kitchen, creating gluten-free desserts and treats that allowed me to enjoy sweets without feeling like I was missing out. Read More>>

Richard Simpson

I had learning disabilities as a child. I had dyslexia and dysgraphia as well as ADHD. So learning was a challenge and I was told I’d never be able to attend college or play a musical instrument. I really wanted to learn to play guitar, so I taught myself. I eventually became a professional guitar instructor and went on to obtain a masters degree. Read More>>

Cynamien Hudson

I was six years old, with two parents in their 20s, living in Baltimore, Maryland—a place that isn’t always smooth as gravy. My story starts when my parents got divorced. My heart was torn in two. On weekends, I stayed with my aunt Shauna, who was a seamstress. Everybody in the neighborhood knew Shauna. She was short, but a beast behind a sewing machine. Read More>>

Tierika Moore

I’ve always loved the 90s. I would make 90s videos and post them on Facebook. One day one of my friends told me to post on tiktok and I was like negative that’s for young people. I posted the video and my tribe starting growing that same night. Read More>>

Anna Tellme

My name is Anna Tellme. I am 35 years old and the CEO and founder of Crazy Science. I help educators achieve real learning outcomes while making kids fall in love with science. I started this company when I was 27 years old with just $100 and almost no English. Read More>>

Millania Latham

Im 19 years old and ive been through and insanely crazy ride throughout this life so far. My life moves very fast I grew up in a pretty broken family and moved out at 18. Read More>>

Zach Zunt

In 2020, one of my closest friends passed away, and his parents gave me one of his cameras. What began as a meaningful gift quickly became a passion. I instantly fell in love with photography and was fortunate to have friends in the industry who helped guide me as I learned the craft. Read More>>

Raiyah Hauser

My journey into floral design didn’t start in a traditional way—it grew out of a love for creating beauty and meaningful experiences. I’ve always been drawn to aesthetics, details, and the feeling that something thoughtfully designed can evoke. What began as a creative outlet slowly evolved into something much bigger as I realized how impactful florals can be in bringing moments to life. Read More>>

Zakyia Armstrong

Ladies N Unity is where it all started for me. It was a neighborhood step and dance team founded by my mom in our front yard, and it made a huge impact by creating a positive outlet for young people and helping reduce crime in our neighborhood. But even before that, I’ve always known dance was a part of who I am. Read More>>

Megan Patiry

The sudden realization that I was free to enter any world I wanted was the moment I knew I had to be involved, somehow, in the world of books. Thousands upon thousands of books—of worlds—and I could choose to dive into any one of them? It felt like a childhood dream. Read More>>

Jayla Allen

I grew up between Atlanta and Cleveland, and I’ve always been drawn to fashion as a form of expression and storytelling. Even before I understood it as a career path, I was really interested in how clothing could shift identity and how people use style to communicate who they are. Read More>>

Lisa Royes

My journey into events began long before I officially launched Asil’s Occasions. I’ve always had a passion for bringing people together and creating meaningful experiences. While my professional background is in education, I found myself constantly planning celebrations for family, friends, and my community. What started as helping others quickly evolved into a business rooted in creativity, organization, and hospitality. Read More>>

Bill Mason

Bend The Trend is our home accessories store and interior design studio located in Greensboro, GA. Owned by Susan and Bill Mason, we have been proudly serving our community since 2018. Our talented team—Amanda Higgins, Addy Outlaw, and Keely Mullins—manages the store and provides a full range of design services. Read More>>

Jasmine Watkins

My name is Jasmine Watkins, and my story is one of faith, grief, healing, and transformation. I grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia, and now live in the Atlanta area as a wife, mother of three, fashion entrepreneur, creative coach, and ministry leader. For much of my life, I battled rejection, insecurity, and the desire to feel seen and accepted. Read More>>

Dylan Becker

I’d always wanted to make a difference. I grew up in North Dakota – a quiet state where everything tends to stay the same. By the time I was a teenager, I’d realized my ceiling was very limited where I was at. I was often unloading my creativity into random mediums more than structured art forms. Read More>>

Robert Sutton

I am Chicago-born but Georgia-raised. Moved here when I was around seven. started off in College Park and then spent the rest of my childhood in Kennesaw. Getting a lot of inspiration for the career I wanted from characters like Raven Baxter and Tru Jackson and a fair bit of my confidence from Maxine Shaw. Read More>>

Elena Christina

My journey started back in 2022 when I realized people genuinely enjoyed following along with my life and personality. I was always sharing funny moments, random adventures, and cool places I discovered, and over time I built some amazing connections with my followers. Once I found the confidence to put myself out there, I dove into content creation-and it quickly became something incredibly rewarding. Read More>>

PARFUMES OBIM

My aromatic journey began at a very early age. My father was a wine connoisseur whose business centered on importing and distributing Italian and French wines throughout Seattle. As a sommelier, he trained my nose from a very young age. At the time, the experience felt entirely natural, never imposed and certainly not something I recognized as unusual. Read More>>

Vi Hodges

First, thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story. For much of my life, I felt like I was living on autopilot. I was focused on accomplishing the next thing and checking off the next goal, but I lacked a real sense of purpose and fulfillment. Read More>>

Char’Quavious Nesbitt

My name is Char’Quavious Nesbitt, and I am the founder and CEO of Staxkz Media Group LLC and Staxkz Studioz PhotoBooth. What started as a passion for creativity and storytelling has evolved into a growing multimedia and entertainment brand focused on helping people and businesses bring their visions to life. Read More>>

Christopher Hooker

At 39 years old, Christopher Hooker has built a career defined by creativity, resilience, and dedication. Born and raised in Newark, Chris developed a passion for fashion and design at an early age, using art and personal style as a form of expression growing up in one of New Jersey’s most culturally rich cities.  Read more>>

Rob Monford

Although he did not land the role due to not yet being a SAG member, the experience sparked a deep appreciation and love for acting and filmmaking. Since then, Rob has continued to embrace the entertainment world as one of his true passions, inspired by determination, growth, and the pursuit of opportunity. Read more>>