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.

Frederick Robertson

Frederick “Freddyrobb Baby” Robertson is an independent recording artist and content creator from Georgia whose music reflects resilience, ambition, and real-life experiences. Drawing inspiration from the challenges he’s faced, he creates songs that encourage listeners to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles. Read more>>

Kacie Luaders

I grew up in Detroit, where music was everywhere and everyone had some connection to it. I studied music recording technology, then went on for an MFA in sound design, which is what brought me to Atlanta. I spent years doing sound design for theater, but I also kept ending up on the business side, in marketing, in audience research, in data analysis. Read more>>

Roddrick Edwards

My journey hasn’t been a straight line.. It’s been built through setbacks, reinvention, and refusing to quit when quitting would’ve been the easier option. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. Over the years I’ve worn a lot of hats, but one thing has remained constant: I love serving people and creating experiences that bring them together. Food just became the language I speak best. Read more>>

Erin Clay

I was born and raised in Rome, GA, and I still live within five miles of where I grew up. When my husband and I got married, we went on a cruise. While chatting with another couple, they asked where we were from. We told them Rome, GA, and they said they had vacationed there! We were like, ‘Wait, no… Read more>>

Joseph Giri

I was born in Mobile AL, near the ocean, but the best years of my childhood were spent in Atlanta and I’m thankful for that. It was there that I was exposed to public art when I rode my bicycle downtown, and also attending a catholic school with a cathedral downtown. Read more>>

Danny Walls

In the summer of 2016, I bought two adult-sized Big Wheels after seeing videos of them online, thinking it would just be something fun to ride on the Beltline with my wife, Marta. On my first ride, I was constantly stopped by people asking, “Is that a Big Wheel for adults? Read more>>

Robert deBeaumont

Daddyball University started as a joke. I was in a groupchat with other coaches, being a class clown, I thought of a funny gag. I took an old blank hat and used markers from my son’s room, wrote the words Daddyball U, on it. I sent a picture in the chat that, Chris, you left your hat in my truck. Read more>>

Bekezela N Mabena

MY STORY BEGINS WITH THE MOVEMENT FROM ZIMBABWE TO SOUTH AFRICA, THAT JOURNEY OF CROSSING THE LIMPOPO RIVER AND GOING TO A SCHOOL THAT HAS ART CLASSES AND HAD TWO WONDERFUL MENTORS THAT SHOWED ME GALLERY SPACES, AND I WAS FASCINATED AND INTRIGUED, AND SINCE THEN I’VE BEEN LEARNING TO LEARN EVERY DAY Read more>>

Tim Sabatino

Here’s my bio which explains alot: I am a native of California and is a US Navy Veteran of the gulf war serving 2, 6 month deployments in operation desert storm and desert shield. Wearing many hats, I specialize in stunt driving, stunt performing, 2nd unit directing, producing and directing feature films, television, commercials and music videos and a professional photographer. Read more>>

Tanya Marin

I’ve always been drawn to capturing life’s little moments. From documenting my travels to styling outfits and sharing everyday memories online, creating content has always come naturally to me. Looking back, I realize those moments were quietly shaping my love for storytelling. Read more>>

Holly Pink

I grew up in a small town in Iowa where most people’s destiny includes drug addiction and poverty. I have lost a lot of friends along the way. The universe took me to Chicago in my early twenties and I had never experienced life in a city, or really anywhere outside of my farmland bubble. Read more>>

Robyn Groenewald

My business grew organically, I started by making cakes for my kids birthdays and slowly it grew as people asked me to make their kids cakes. Eventually after much deliberation. I decided to try and build a business. I went to culinary school to learn more about the business aspects of the culinary industry. Read more>>

Aimee Brittain

I started in 2004 after realizing I was spending 100 a week to feed me and my 4 year old. Which I felt was crazy. I remember what my mom would do on Sundays church, brunch, coupons. I started learning cut my bill down to 40 bucks a week. Started my blog in 2006. I have been on radio in Milwaukee, Atlanta and Chicago. Read more>>

Karen Naranjo

Your Story My story with handmade candles began about 3 years ago. It all started with intention candles, pieces designed to accompany our clients’ purposes, wishes, and special moments. Over time, thanks to the wonderful response we received, we gradually began incorporating the rest of our products. Read more>>

Asya Watkins

My story has never been a straight line. I am originally from Chicago, where I began my career in pharmacy operations at Walgreens. I worked my way from pharmacy technician and operations manager into Walgreens’ corporate project management office, where I discovered the career that would ultimately change my life. Over the next 20 years, I led complex projects across healthcare, pharmacy, and operations. Read more>>

Rackz DaEngineer

Rackz was introduced to music at a young age. She was playing instruments, in the choir, and dance ministry as early as 5 years old. Fast forward to her College days at University of West Georgia she was exposed to the root of music, where the magic happens, the studio. She started out as a Artist herself. Read more>>

Sophia Maria

I love to sing and have loved pretend play and drama classes since I was 3 years old. My first class was at Stage Door Theater. Along the way, my mom decided to submit my profile to a casting agent, and by age 6 until now, I’ve been so happy to have Carol Shaginaw Talent as my talent agent. Read more>>

PRYCE

My love for music began very early at age 4. I began writing my own music at age 8 when my parents got a divorce to help me process my emotions and escape. From there I went to a performing arts high school and college, where I honed my craft. Read more>>

Benjamin Davidow

My father is a jazz pianist and fusion composer. My mother is a classical pianist. So from a very young age music was the main vein of my life. As I got older I started playing for different bands, writing my own music and eventually started helping others to put their projects together. That’s been my mission ever since. Read more>>

Sri Metaeo

My journey in the beauty industry started about 16 years ago, but it wasn’t something I had always planned for myself. When I came to the United States 20 years ago from Indonesia. I honestly wasn’t sure what I wanted to do as a career. Read more>>

Aurora Lloyd

Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Before there was ever an Aurora Lloyd, there was just a girl who loved music deeply, singing, writing, studying artists, and imagining herself creating something of her own one day. Over time, music became more than entertainment for me. Read more>>

Andrew Holmes

My story started in high school, when my best friend London asked me a simple question: ‘do you want to make comics with me?’ From there, the two of us made comics throughout the rest of our senior year of high school and first three years of college. Read more>>

Rick Daum

I became serious about playing guitar when I was 15 after I heard Deep Purple and Richie Blackmore. And started playing out live when I was 17 and went out on the road soon after that. When I was in my early twenties I was in a successful local/regional act called Popa Doc. Read more>>

Iyonna Shannon

I’ve always been drawn to design. I actually started out studying Fashion Marketing & Management at SCAD, where I learned that great design is about more than aesthetics. Design is about how people experience the world around them. From there, every part of my life naturally became rooted in creativity. Read more>>

Katie Garcia

I first got into the EDM scene back in 2019 when I went to my first festival in Dallas, Texas called Lights All Night. After that, EDM was all I listened to. From 2019-2024 I was just a fan of the music and would attend different festivals and shows as often as I could. Read more>>

Cristiana Oprea

I was always drawn to arts for some reason. My parents would tell me I never left the house without my sketchbook and pencils. It wasn’t until much later, around 16 years old, when I started doing portraits. I loved a good challenge. Read more>>

Javon Smith

Built From Experience L4C Worldwide represents evolution. What the world sees today is not the beginning of our story. It is the continuation of a journey built through years of experience, lessons, victories, failures, creativity, and growth. Our roots trace back to a movement that gained recognition through community, culture, and genuine support. Read more>>

Sherly Fan

I began my artistic journey in fashion. I studied fashion design in college and later worked in the industry, but I gradually realized that it wasn’t my true calling. Even while I was in fashion school, I was always more interested in exploring clothing in a sculptural and conceptual way. Read more>>

Nick & Steven The Hard Truth Club

We are Nick and Steven, married gay dads of The Hard Truth Club. We have known each other for almost 15 years and been together for 13, which means we have gone through many of life’s ups and downs together. Read more>>

Shameka “Meka” Wilson

I studied photography and videography at the University of Memphis during my undergrad years. After I graduated, I was determined to have a career in the field of photography or videography. After years of practice, and networking, I landed a role at a news station in Memphis, where I became their first still photojournalist. Read more>>

Keyeriah Miles

People often see Ladies Who Golf today and assume it started with a perfect plan. The truth is, it started with curiosity, frustration, and a desire to create the kind of community I couldn’t find. I grew up in Alabama, where my family’s story is deeply rooted in service, faith, and the Civil Rights Movement. Those values shaped how I view leadership and community. Read more>>

Claire Thriffiley

I grew up with an artist in my family, so I was lucky to have access to art and creativity from a young age. I lived in Paris for my junior year of college and had the ability to travel all throughout Europe which was the best art history lesson that I could ever dreamed of. Read more>>

Sara Lauren

I don’t believe life is meant to follow just one specific path, so looking back each chapter seems to have naturally built upon the one before it. I began my journey in 2003 in the nonprofit sector, serving adults with traumatic brain injuries, children with cognitive and developmental disabilities, and later as a case manager for individuals living with infectious disease. Read more>>

Huaixuan Xiang

I have always experienced the world through a strong sense of imagination and sensitivity. As a child, I saw a vast meadow inside my wardrobe, and my spiritual guide would wait for me there. My toy bear could suddenly come alive, singing and dancing, and my dreams often felt so vivid that I would lie in bed describing every strange detail to my mother. Read more>>

Nat Blooming

It would be easy for me to say that my story started in art school, but that isn’t quite true. Really my education was in learning and loving the language of storytelling, which for me happened at a very young age. As a kid I remember making zines with my sister and writing stories. Creativity felt very natural. Read more>>

LaToya Binns

From the time I was in college, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. While everyone around me was focused on sending out resumes, I was researching how to start a business and trying to figure out what type of business I wanted to build. Read more>>

YELLO UGLY MUG

YELLO UGLY MUG is a team of two animation directors: Muling Tzai and Olivia Lin. We became thesis partners and co-created a short animated film, Land of No Man, upon graduating from Ringling College of Art and Design in 2026. Read more>>

nicholas cousar

The Story Behind NeverMindCreating Productions, LLC Before graduating from high school, I knew that one day I would own a business and be an entrepreneur and build a business that was meaningful to me. I had a passion for music, media, and creativity, and I dreamed of owning a music studio while providing media services that would help others bring their visions to life. Read more>>

Josh Guerrieri

I started my career as a high school teacher (through Teach for America) and coach because I loved helping people grow. I eventually realized I wanted to build something that could impact people beyond a classroom, so about 20 years ago I started FitWit in Atlanta. Read more>>

Katina Cunningham

How I Got to Where I Am Today If someone had told me years ago that I would be where I am today, I’m not sure I would have believed them. I knew it was possible, however, my journey wasn’t a straight line—it was filled with unexpected turns, moments of doubt, and opportunities that challenged me to grow. Read more>>

Happiness Nwozuzu

I started working in healthcare in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. Even amid all the trials and tribulations, I knew I had a passion to help people. After achieving many of my educational and career goals, I knew it was time to pivot that passion into entrepreneurship — which led to Faith Healthcare Academy. Read more>>

Yenni Castillo Espinosa

My journey has always been driven by two things: a deep curiosity for how things work and a desire to make a meaningful impact. I started my career as an electronics engineer and later stepped into program management, where I learned how to solve complex problems, manage large-scale moving parts, and lead with strategy. Read more>>

Olympia Papageorgiou

Sure! Well…. when I was very young, I knew that I wanted to understand people and help them but I also knew that I wanted to continue singing. Life is short so I decided to continue pursuing both in whatever way made sense. I went on to pursue my doctorate and became a licensed psychologist while also pursuing music and singing. Read more>>

Erica Quist

Yes, when I first started I had know clue how to start a logo or anything about graphic design. I taught myself with zero experience. Now, I am under a new company ZENYES WELLNESS LLC, where I sell tshirts and hoodies! I am working on my book, which just needs edits, and will be published 2027! Read more>>

Linda McIver

My mother died from cancer when I was 16. I’ve known from a young age I wanted to devote my life to health and wellness. I was trained conventionally as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and in 2012, I opened my first practice, 2UMedical, a concierge medical practice and conceptually, my take on the old fashioned housecall. Read more>>

Tanasia Harris

I started as an active young girl always participating in sports with a non-active family. Even though I participated in Track and Field and Cheerleading in high school, I knew that sport’s was something I did not want to do in college. However, I’ve always wanted to stay active and in shape. Read more>>

Xavier Santana

Started fighting in Sanshou (Wushu Sanda) in 2011 and competing in kickboxing as well and shotokan karate been fighting since until now. Became a matchmaker for FightersRep in 2024 for the entire state of Florida until December of 2024. Then Started my own promotion for Wushu Sanda and all other striking combat sports. Read more>>

Stan Konter

I began magic at a late age. I was a senior at Georgia State University when I found a magic shop and was hooked. I spent 6 months training every day, then graduated and returned to Savannah, GA to pursue a real estate career. During those years I performed for festivals, toy stores, and individual events as time would permit. Read more>>

Kristina Bruce

Growing up, I was in an average-sized body. I wasn’t particularly thin or fat, but I was surrounded by a family of women who were constantly dieting and reminiscing about the “glory days” when they weighed less. Read more>>

Auriyan

Let’s start from the very beginning the day that I was born. My father tells this story every year for my birthday of how I was born on the day and around the time that Aaliyah passed away. He always says that he knew I was born to be a singer. Read more>>

June- Marie Outlaw

I’ve always been someone who naturally brings people together. Looking back, I realize I’ve spent much of my life creating the very things I was looking for meaningful connections, encouraging spaces, opportunities to grow, and experiences where people feel seen, valued, and inspired. That’s really how my journey began. One of the most personal parts of my story is how I got started in etiquette. Read more>>

Dr. LaTarsha Holden

Before I became Dr. LaTarsha Holden, founder of Holden Global Solutions and creator of the Forged in the Fire Leadership Philosophy™, I was simply a woman trying to survive. Years ago, I experienced nearly five years of homelessness while raising my six children. During that time, we lived in a homeless shelter, hotels, my sister’s home, our car, and eventually in a boarded-up abandoned house. Read more>>

Tiffany Kim

I would say my story really begins in college. I went to Columbia University thinking I would major in Visual Arts, but quickly realized that my creative brain wasn’t quite aligned with being a fine artist.  Read more>>

Brinson Poythress IV

I’ve been fascinated in fashion and modeling since I was 13 but, school was difficult at that time so I had no choice on focusing on that until I failed out of high school then around on being adult I’ve started to make a lifestyle on my own. I started with a vision before I had the opportunities. Read more>>

Reka Jones

My story starts in a place a lot of people don’t come back from. I was somebody who needed help and didn’t know how to ask for it, and for a long time I thought that was the whole story. It wasn’t. It was the first chapter. Read more>>

Curstyn Dozier

Cakes by Curstyn started with a simple belief: life is worth celebrating, and every celebration deserves a dessert that’s just as memorable as the moment itself. Baking has always been something I loved, but turning that passion into a business came during a season when I was looking for a fresh start. Read more>>

Kash

I’ve always been drawn to creating, but photography became much more than just taking pictures—it became a way for me to tell stories and connect with people. What started as a hobby eventually turned into a business after I realized I could use my creativity to help people capture moments they’ll remember for a lifetime. The journey hasn’t been perfect. Read more>>

Erica Watson

I’m a Georgia native through and through. There’s something about this state, its landscape, its people, its creative communities, that has always felt like the right place to make things and to grow. I studied art education at the University of Georgia, which set the foundation, but it was my first job after graduation that truly shaped me as an art educator. Read more>>

Dr Darlene Screen

My journey hasn’t been a straight path—it has been one of healing, faith, resilience, and purpose. Like many people, my story began with adversity. I survived childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and seasons where I questioned my worth and identity. For years, I wore a smile while silently carrying pain, anger, and brokenness that many people never saw. Read more>>

Amy Rees

I grew up in a small town in upstate New York, which is about as far from CNN headquarters as you can get — but that’s exactly where I landed straight out of college, and Atlanta has been home ever since. Seven years at CNN felt like a cross between grad school, a start-up, and a giant co-ed fraternity. I loved every minute of it. Read more>>

BLIZM

I am a veteran Hip-Hop artist, producer, and media pioneer. My career is rooted in independence and longevity. I am the founder of Chainless Entertainment, an independent record label and the award-winning digital radio platform, K-100 Radio. I’ve spent years amplifying indie voices via the broadcast before returning to the mic releasing new music in 2026. Read more>>

Caela Harris

My journey started with a passion for beauty and creativity at a young age. What began as me experimenting with makeup on myself and those around me quickly turned into something much bigger. Over time, I realized that makeup wasn’t just about appearance it was about confidence, transformation, and helping people feel their best. Read more>>

Orla Barry

My name is Orla. An expat finance coach based in Dubai who’s a little bit ‘unconventional’. I’ve worked in hospitality in Dubai, which is a polite way of saying I worked in an industry that could disappear overnight. In March 2020, it did. So I sat down and took stock of my life when that happened. Read more>>

Morgan Duke

I picked up photography as a senior in high school, and that love grew throughout the years. In college, while pursuing a nursing degree, I started taking photos of families that I knew and nannied for, as well as my friends’ weddings. I continued to pursue photography as a part time gig while finishing up my nursing degree and working full time. Read more>>