Portraits of Atlanta

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Atlanta.

Fion Jemison

My journey has been anything but conventional. I spent time in foster care as a child, lost both of my parents at a young ages, became a young mom and lost my sister to suicide. Each of those challenges has shaped the person that I am today. Read more>>

Versaille Jones

When I was younger my mom decided to see if I , at the age of 3 years old, would grow a liking towards ballet. And I did ! This extracurricular activity would then be added to soccer,swimming,girl scouts, chess club, BIPOC counsel , cheerleading etc. Around middle school my mom gave me the choice of which activity I was most passionate about. Read more>>

Johnatha Camp

My journey into the beauty industry began in May 2010 when I met celebrity makeup artist Joy Randall, the key makeup artist for R&B singer Fantasia’s reality television show on VH1. Read more>> 

Marie Brenda Barthélémy

I don’t think my story makes sense on paper… and honestly, I kind of love that. My story is funny because becoming a makeup artist was never actually the plan. I’ve always been an artist before anything else. I always say that I’m not a makeup artist—I’m an artist, and makeup just happens to be one of my mediums. I’ve always been fascinated by colors. Read more>>

( Merlo ) Henry Witherspoon

I started out with a real passion for connecting people in the entertainment industry. After working as a host and promoter at local clubs, I realized there was a gap: a space where models and talent could get more support and real opportunities. So, I launched my casting club. Read more>>

Sarah Ikaiddi

I recently graduated high school in Lithonia, Georgia, and my journey has been shaped by a mix of leadership, discipline, creativity, and personal growth. During high school, I was deeply involved in my school’s marching band program, where I played trumpet and eventually became Drum Major. That role was one of the most defining parts of my experience. Read more>>

Olasumbo Ogunsola

I grew up in South Africa, where I witnessed firsthand what happens when brilliant young people have nowhere to put their talent. When I moved to America, I was given an opportunity that I did not earn alone, and for years I carried that weight with me. Read more>>

Kimberly Lovette Belcher

For more than a decade, Kim Lovette has graced the stage and screen with her undeniable talents. Read more>>

Richard Hopper

Richard Hopper burst onto London, Ontario’s open-stage scene on July 6, 2025, and has since become one of the city’s most magnetic drag kings. Since that first performance, he has become my theatrical drag king persona—a gentleman with a bit of edge, known for expressive, heart-on-his-sleeve performances. Read more>>

Samantha Alvarez

My name is Samantha Alvarez. I’m a 31, New Jersey Sagittarius and I am a lover of all things fantasy, mythical, and literary. I am the founder of Myths and Muses Events, an event company created to bring together and foster a community for readers, writers, and creatives. I have been a reader for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Keoshma Crane

Barkcuterie Chix was born from one of those late-night moments when inspiration hits out of nowhere. I launched my business in June 2025, originally creating luxury charcuterie boards for people. But the more I built, the more I realized I wanted to create something that didn’t already exist. I wanted to build an experience—not just another charcuterie business. Read more>>

Jai Wav

Born in Brooklyn Ny, I developed the love for music, coming from a Caribbean background, it has nurtured my style in music production, My sound is diverse, classic, futuristic, and percussive. Graduating from Fuil Sail University, I interned at Circle House Studios in Miami where I gained experience in the industry working under the music industries biggest giants. Read more>>

Johnathan Fusco

Every great story begins somewhere. Ours begins in 1909, in the sun-drenched streets of Matanzas, Cuba — known then as “La Atenas de Cuba,” the Athens of Cuba — where a man named Hijino Muñoz picked up a camera and started something that would outlive him by more than a century. Hijino founded Foto Studio Muñoz, capturing the faces and celebrations of Cuban life. Read more>>

Allie Lovegood

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved working and herding breeds. There has always been something incredibly special about big, fluffy dogs—their loyalty, intelligence, and gentle nature have always drawn me in. In 2020, when the world shut down during the pandemic, I found myself wanting to make a difference. Read more>>

Sian Zeng

I started my career shortly after graduating from Central Saint Martins in textile design in 2009. For my degree show, I created a magnetic wallpaper that allowed people to move little magnetic characters around a printed landscape and create their own stories on the wall. Read more>>

Allen Pullen II

So I began writing music very young but was raised by my grandparents. The old school methods and teachings they instilled In me taught me to just do, don’t wait, you make it happen. Growing up on the west side of Atlanta GA My grandfather cooked almost twice everyday. Yes we went out to eat, but it was mainly cooking. Read more>>

Jupiter Bryant

I started my business in 2022 during my freshman year of college at Georgia Tech. I remember I was fed up with school and I was sitting in my dorm with my roommate Bella. Read more>>

Kwaunterius Parker

I grew up figuring things out with my hands — fixing things, building things, creating things. That curiosity turned into skills across multiple trades, from painting and murals to HVAC and home repair. Every step taught me discipline, patience, and how to serve people with excellence. Read more>>

Princess Kimber

Music has always been a part of who I am. I was born into it. My mom and dad actually met in the recording studio because they were both artists, so music has surrounded me for as long as I can remember. Read more>>

Lafayette Keitt

Writing this, I wondered how can I sum up such a tough life? From my mother abandoning me somewhere to, to drug infested environments, to abuses of my body, mind and the souls of others around me. 11 years ago however, I started pursuing Zen Buddhism, not as a religion, but as a lifestyle. Read more>>

Chris Pierce

Well, as all singers say, I’ve always been singing. I started out singing back up for my dad with my two brothers at church, sometimes we’d perform as a three piece doing little mini church tours. I sung in the school choir all the way from elementary to high school. I auditioned for American Idol, Xfactor, America’s Got Talent, Disney, Nickelodeon but, nothing ever stuck. Read more>>

Juan Gonzalez

Con Culture started as a passion project built around something I genuinely love, which is the culture of comic cons and the people who show up to them. Cosplayers, gamers, fans, content creators, these are my people, and I wanted to build something that celebrated them. The channel really took off because of a moment we didn’t plan. Read more>>

Solomon Maye

My name is Solomon Maye “Coach Solo” I from New Haven all my life. Boxing has been like a parent to me. I was put out of my household at the age of 13. As you can imagine growing up was hard for me. Read more>>

Mark Knight

I started as someone who always believed there was more for me, even when the path was not clear. My background has been a mix of service, business, creativity, and resilience. I’ve worked in human services and education, supporting people with disabilities and students with autism and developmental needs. That taught me patience, leadership, and the importance of showing up for people. Read more>>

Emma O’Connell

I am Emma, Owner, and Creator of December Bakes. I began my baking journey up North at the age of ten and never stopped experimenting and trying new recipes. In an effort to raise money for college I began a small scale bake sale. Upon attending and studying entrepreneurship, I seriously considered opening my own bakery. Read more>>

Dej Graay

When I started my rap career, I didn’t have my own beats so I was using instrumentals which had me at a major block I had a video and photo shoot planned when I dropped a freestyle to the where ya at song by drake and future but the song got blocked due to copyright issues so I had to start all over with the song and moving forward with my music. Read more>>

Gio Imani

I’ve always struggled with my skin. I’ve dealt with eczema and extremely sensitive skin for as long as I can remember, and growing up, it felt like there was never any real or consistent help. By the time I was 13, I had already started researching ingredients, creating my own remedies, and searching for products that my skin could actually tolerate. Read more>>

Deedee Tsegaye

I’ve honestly always been the person who was selling something. In high school I was selling products while studying STEM, and when I studied abroad in India in 10th grade I coded for the first time and it just made sense. I knew from then that I was going to be in tech and I was going to be building things. Read more>>

Patrice Willliams

ll start by saying I’m a Boston girl through and through (and yes, there are Black people in Boston). I was born and raised in Boston—South End and Dorchester, to be exact. I went to Boston Public Schools and graduated college in Boston. Read more>>

Lauryn S. Ivery

I’ve always been a girl with a vision; I just had to find my own path to it. My entrepreneurial spirit showed up early. At nine years old, I launched my first business, a jewelry brand called beYOUtiful. By middle school, I had a clothing line named Flawless Movement. Read more>>

Diamon Dyer

I’m originally from Philadelphia, where I developed a strong appreciation for education, style, and ambition. After earning my MBA from Temple University, I began my career in the tech industry, which took me across the country to Seattle, Washington, where I lived and worked for three years. From there, I relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where I continue to build my career in tech. Read more>>

Steve R Allen

I literally began my art career in one day. I was a copier technician in the morning, October 15, 1992, quit my job, went to the unemployment office, began painting that afternoon. Read more>>

Danyell Matthews

Chi & Chiang® was born during one of the most unexpected seasons of my life. Like so many people, I lost my job during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but looking back, I truly believe God was redirecting my path. During that season, I discovered gifts and talents I never knew I had. Read more>>

Kirsten Simmons

You know the scene in The Lion King where Simba says he’s had some sense knocked into him, and he’s got the bump to prove it? I feel like that’s how I ended up farming, in a roundabout way. Read more>>

Julian Grell

My story is far from a straight line. Growing up, life wasn’t always easy. I faced challenges early on that shaped my perspective, resilience, and determination. Looking back, I don’t see those experiences only as obstacles, I also see them as part of the foundation that made me who I am today. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. Read more>>

Jayla Brewster

I started creating content simply because I wanted to document my life. At the time, I was a full-time college student, and I enjoyed sharing my day-in-the-life vlogs, study routines, and what it looked like to balance school while also figuring out adulthood. I never expected anyone beyond my friends and family to watch, as it was just something I genuinely enjoyed. Read more>>

McKenzie Nugent

COVID acted as the catalyst that allowed me to turn photography into my full-time career. From the beginning, I knew building a sustainable business would take time. So instead of chasing quick growth, I focused on creating a thoughtful experience for every individual who trusted me with capturing their big moments. Read more>>

EYAHNA J

I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember. Around the age of six, I realized singing was more than just something I enjoyed – it was something I wanted to pursue. Read more>>

Asantai Thornton

Well, I was born & raised in Cobb County, GA. I grew up singing in church with my siblings, eventually transitioning to attending a performing arts school called Young Voices United, from Elementary onto High school. From there I used the tools from performing & my own personal dreams to pursue a music career. Read more>>

Henry Ukazu

In 2008, I arrived in New York to further my education and get a better life. I attended New York Law School where I struggled to graduate with a master’s in taxation law (LLM) because I wasn’t wired to study tax law. Getting a job was hard because I didn’t have background and experience in finance. Read more>>

Von The DJ

I am originally from Dayton, OH. I got my start in college, after basketball I didn’t know what was next. An injury presented itself and then an opportunity presented itself. I got to where I am today just by staying consistent and not taking no for an answer. I never believed in accepting no’s, always just pivoting my direction and finding another way in. Read more>>

Julia McLain

Julia’s passion for performing began at a very young age, and she’s been chasing her dreams ever since. One of her first major milestones came when she was just 9 years old, winning her very first singing competition, where she competed alongside contestants ranging from elementary school through high school. Read more>>

Amelia Jackson

My story started long before Amelia Design had a name. I grew up surrounded by beauty, style, and storytelling. My father had a Nikon camera, and I remember being fascinated by the way one image could hold a whole feeling. I also come from a family of women who could sew, create, and turn fabric into confidence, so creativity was always around me. Read more>>

Maiesha McQueen

I was born in New Jersey but raised in Atlanta, and I’ve always been a curious, creative kid. Even as a child, I was drawn to the arts—not just performing, but creating. I started in choral music and visual arts, and I was fortunate to have a mother who encouraged every interest I had. Whatever sparked my curiosity, she found a way to nurture it. Read more>>

Jasmine Tharpe

For more than 20 years, my career has been rooted in healthcare, with the last 15 years focused in Healthcare Information Technology. Throughout this journey, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside physicians, hospitals, and healthcare organizations, gaining a deep understanding of the ever‑evolving healthcare landscape. What I didn’t realize early on was that I had naturally become a mentor. Read more>>

Dr. Lynda Barnes

I was born in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, the daughter of a family upholstery business. I grew up watching people build things with their hands. That instinct never left me. What also stayed with me: childhood sexual abuse, teen motherhood, domestic violence, divorce, and a mental health crisis that brought me to the edge of my own survival. I have a Ph.D. Read more>>

Shelby Finley

As someone who has been overweight my entire life, simply existing in society is exhausting. A society that doesn’t appreciate or accommodate people in larger bodies. One that believes that “fat” is the worst thing a person could be. After shrinking myself for years and trying not to take up space because the world thought I shouldn’t have any, I grew tired and resentful. Read more>>

Michael Medley

Holistic healing therapist formally a narcotic , non narcotic injectables experienced a stroke at the pharmaceutical plant and transition into holistic energy healing in search of my own healing. I knew what medical drugs do and I never met someone bounce back from a stroke using them and I did not want to go through surgery. Read more>>

Christina Burton

Chris B is a digital creator, social media strategist, and entrepreneur who built her brand from the ground up as a successful coupon influencer. Through authentic content and a passion for helping families save money, she grew a highly engaged online community and collaborated with a variety of national and local brands. Read more>>

Bailey Klinedinst

Hello everyone! My name is Bailey Klinedinst and I am a sound designer with areas of interest in music, sound art, film, and animation! I started out playing guitar on my own when I was younger. I was really into classic rock and grunge at the time, so I spent most of my summers just listening to music and teaching myself. Read more>>

Robert “Hustleman” Mitchell

I was in the music industry, I vowed if my music career didn’t take off by 30 I would quit and I did just that and went into journalism. I’ve always had a love for fragrances so now I combined that love with my love of entertainment and journalism and formed “The lifestyles of the rich and fragrance”Vodcast Read more>>