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.

Kristine Buck

I’ve always been creative, even as a kid. I can remember always drawing something, painting something, or trying to take something and turn it into whatever I imagined. I loved art classes growing up, and as I got older, I started leaning more toward fashion. I feel like I really started getting into fashion design from watching red carpets and award shows. Read more>>

Parris Monet & Velma Rae

Our story really started in college, where we met and connected through our shared love for music and creativity. Over the years, our friendship grew into a genuine sisterhood, but we also found ways to work together professionally. Read more>>

Idalia Blopleh

Dignify A Diva started as a love project in 2015, but if I’m really telling the story, the foundation for this work was laid long before then. I was raised in a home built around service. My father was a preacher—yes, I’m a PK, a preacher’s kid—and my mother stood beside him, supporting not only his ministry but our entire community. Read more>>

Marija Krkovic

I grew up in Belgrade, Serbia, with my favorite people on Earth – my family. I was endlessly curious and constantly interested in doing something new and different. My mom rarely said “no” to my constantly changing hobbies, and my family became the first people I recruited to support every new crazy thing I decided to do next. Read more>>

February Nichole

I am a gospel recording artist, speaker, and ordained pastor whose journey in music began at the age of three. From the very beginning, God placed people in my life who recognized my gift and helped cultivate it. My mother and grandmother made sure I was surrounded by opportunities to grow, keeping me active in both school chorus and church choir. Read more>>

Genna Edwards

I was always interested in film but never knew how to get into the industry, let alone think it was possible for me. After graduating college, another graduate invited me to mix their feature. I said yes and since then, my entire life changed. Read more>>

Josh Lineberry

For Josh, creativity was never something he had to force. It was always something that was just there. Growing up, he loved making little videos, writing silly little songs and dancing in his room. He created constantly without thinking about whether anyone would ever see what he was making. Read more>>

Surely

Golden Light Healing was born out of the desire to be a place where people can return to themselves and empower themselves to heal through the support of energy medicine. As the owner, Surely (pronounced Sue-rel-ee), my desire to be of service in this way has shown up in many different areas of my life. Read more>>

Tara Leavitt

I am a Brooklyn girl, born and raised. Although I have spent many years living in different states from Florida, North Carolina and now Georgia; Brooklyn NY will always be in my heart. My father passed on his passion for photography to me as a very young age. I was about 8 years old when he gave me my first camera. Read more>>

Raiyonda Vereen

My name is Raiyonda Vereen, and I am a costume designer with a career rooted in fashion, storytelling, and a passion for bringing characters to life through wardrobe. I graduated from Howard University and moved to Atlanta with the goal of pursuing a career in fashion. Read more>>

Lynne Smith, LICSW-S

My journey really grew out of my journey as a social worker and therapist. I’ve always been drawn to helping people feel seen, understood, and supported, but over time I became increasingly aware of how many people, especially those from marginalized communities, struggle to find spaces where they can show up as their full selves without judgment. Read more>>

Hannah Roese

I’ve been making fashion content for a few years now, and I’ll be honest, I was exactly the person this whole account exists for. Full blown overspender, trend chaser, the kind of person who’d buy a new outfit for an event she’d already worn four outfits to that month alone. Read more>>

Ducka Shan

– WHERE THE DREAM STARTED My journey into electronic music actually began years before I ever touched a pair of CDJs. Around 2001, when I was 13 and still living in Vietnam, I first discovered electronic dance music and trance. One of the first albums that truly pulled me into that world was Tiësto’s In Search of Sunrise. Read more>>

Frank Monroe

My journey began in Redhook, Brooklyn, where I was raised in the foster care system and group homes. Coming from a background with limited resources, I turned to music at eight years old as a way to express myself and navigate the obstacles around me. Writing became my outlet and saved my life during times when I felt completely isolated. Read more>>

Brianna Osaseri

I grew up a latch-key kid with my best friends being my five other siblings and the anime, cartoons, and video games I watched on TV, Youtube, and totally legit websites online. While socially awkward and distant from my peers, I totally immersed myself in the worlds and stories I watched and read and was quickly inspired to create stories of my own. Read more>>

Be The Difference Clothing

My name is Joy and I print for Be The Difference. It’s a brand that aims to inspire through written messages on clothing. The messages are as simple as ‘Hard Work pays Off’ or as complex as ‘Addiction Kills the Family’. All in all, each printed message opens much needed conversation within our homes and community. We dress from infancy to adults. Read more>>

Micah Nibbs

Honestly, my story is a little bit different from the usual! Art was something I knew I wanted to do since I was young, but the route to where I am now wasn’t always clear. I was born and raised in Stone Mountain, GA my two siblings and I were homeschooled from elementary school all the way up until college. Read more>>

Sheridyn Williams

My professional journey began more than 12 years ago in banking and financial services, where I built my expertise in third party risk management, vendor management, operations, and strategic program execution. Throughout my career, I have helped organizations evaluate complex risks, strengthen business relationships, navigate regulatory expectations, and make informed decisions that protect what matters while creating room for growth. Read more>>

Kayla Kirbree

My floral journey started from a genuine love for flowers in the idea that beautiful bouquets shouldn’t have to come with a ‘flower shop ‘price tag. I’ve always been drawn to the beauty and femininity of flowers, and I wanted to create arrangements that felt luxurious personal and special while still being accessible. Read more>>

Sparkle Watts

I was raised in religion, and growing up, I never really had a problem with that. It wasn’t until I got older that I started questioning my beliefs and asking myself why I believed what I believed. Was it because it was actually what I chose to believe, or was it simply because it was what I had been raised in? Read more>>

Benjamin Di’Costa

My story definitely hasn’t been a straight line. I grew up navigating circumstances that forced me to become independent pretty early in life. My journey included foster care, adoption, periods of homelessness, and moments when I genuinely had no idea what the next chapter was going to look like. Read more>>

Morgana Brighid

I started my Pagan journey at a young age, in the midst of a deeply Christian upbringing. When I discovered Wicca, I was attending a Southern Baptist church in Mississippi. Three days a week, Wednesdays and Fridays for Bible study and, of course, service every Sunday. But the Goddess called me and that was the end of that. Read more>>

Kathryn Holeton

I got started as a brand designer soon after I graduated college, and while I was going down a different career journey. I started down the career as a musician right after I graduated college. Read more>>

Tumaini Simons

I started modeling during my freshman year of high school in the fall of 2011 with a smaller nonprofit organization called The Prom Fantasy Experience, which gave young people the opportunity to gain modeling experience. Not only did I gain the confidence to stand in front of an audience, but I also began easing my way into creative directing. Read more>>

Sophie

I’ve always liked to write music since I was a kid. I knew I wanted to make music at a very young age, it was just a matter of figuring out how to do it. When I was 15, I chose the name spiderhouse and started working on my first album, Elephant Street. Read more>>

Jeff Glassmeyer

Starting my home inspection business has been a journey built on hard work, dedication, and a commitment to always doing things the right way. I began by taking the necessary classes and gaining the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to become a successful home inspector. Read more>>

Sylvia Nwaozuzu

My journey into wig making began with my own experience with hair loss in the mid-2000s. At the time, I struggled to find a wig that looked as natural as the sew-ins I was used to wearing during my Corporate days in London. The options available didn’t give me the look or confidence I wanted, so I started experimenting with ways to create my own. Read more>>

Therese Myers

My story really began with a simple belief: girls need spaces where they can be seen, encouraged, exposed to new possibilities, and reminded that their dreams are valid. Before founding Yes Girls Create, I spent more than three decades working in the corporate world, including a long career with Tiffany & Co. Read more>>

Natasha Allen-Crump

Purple Flower Ladies began back in 2014, originally as NRC Ladies. It started with two sisters, Tasha and Iesha, along with a few of our cousins. As the years went on, life happened, priorities changed, and some of our cousins decided they no longer wanted to continue. But Tasha and Iesha kept going because we believed in what we were building. Read more>>

Michael Marcel

My entry into modeling was less about a mirror and more about a movement. I grew up in the world of gymnastics, which gave me a rare degree of body awareness and the ability to contort into shapes that feel more like art than poses. Read more>>

royLT

I was basically born in the picture perfect family but it only lasted for the first 6 years of my life. Then I grew up kind of taking care of myself and isolated. Physically, I had a home but mentally and emotionally I had to figure everything out. Over time it led me to music. First as a point of commonality for silencing challenging emotions. Read more>>

Adrian Young

Got started managing after high school, I was the manager on the basketball team, but also wanted to become a sports agent. So after highschool, deciding what I wanted to do. I looked at management in music well the entertainment industry in general. Read more>>

Miriam Rodriguez

I became a mother at a young age, and for many years my life was centered around working, sometimes multiple jobs and side hustles, to create stability for my family. I spent 16 years in retail management with brands such as Kate Spade, Tommy Hilfiger, Nine West, and TJ Maxx. Read more>>

Shanequa “Pretty NeQ” Cobb

So, I’ve always been very creative and into anything artistic. I’ve always been into telling a story, whether that was: Music, drawing, writing poems and short stories, to singing. Music has always been my muse. In fact, that’s how I got started, I would write on my Facebook notes when it was still a thing back in 2010. Read more>>

Arianna Taylor

When it comes to my story, it’s one of those things that I take the most pride and joy in. Read more>>

Lauren Thompson

I first picked up a camera when my daughter was one year old. I didn’t know ANY of the buttons and especially how they worked together. Believing I had zero creative talents or instincts, I was very skeptical I could learn much. My technical brain picked up the camera functions and math very quickly. Read more>>

Keondre Pascal

I first learned about Step Afrika! around 2019. As both a percussionist and step artist, the company naturally caught my attention, and by 2021, I planned to audition. Life shifted that timeline when my graduation was delayed, ultimately leading me to graduate in 2022 and return home to South Florida to figure out what was next. Read more>>

XayRoZay

Artistic journey started when I was in high school right before I graduated. I competed in a schoolwide competition called the poetry jam. And the only reason why I competed was because they get out of class and then we will get pizza little did I know I was going to be dying into one of the most introspective chapters of my life! Read more>>

Marissa Miller

I started dance classes at the age of 3. I quit dance at 7 and came back to it around 13. I joined a competition team and two pre-professional programs in ballet and modern. I went onto studying at a vocational high school for performing arts and then onto Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Read more>>

Camille Whitworth

After 25 years as a tv journalist, i “dropped the mic” and decided to give back in a different way. It’s not to say i didn’t love my career as a news anchor, i just wanted to make a different impact. A lot of that time taught me how to communicate, connect with people, think quickly, and remain composed under pressure. Read more>>

Royal

My story begins when I was around five years old. My brother, who is two years older than me, started drawing, and naturally, as a younger sibling, I wanted to copy everything he did. That curiosity led me to pick up a pencil and start drawing as well. Although my brother sparked my initial interest in art, we eventually developed very different artistic styles. Read more>>

Rae Baker

I come from a musical family, so music has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I played electric bass and electric guitar in church with my family, and my sisters and I performed at different events throughout Downtown and Metro Atlanta. Music was something we did together, and improvisation became a natural part of how I expressed myself. Read more>>

perrietuck@mac.com Perrie Patterson

I was a fashion merchandising major at the University of Alabama and planned to open my own boutique one day with no plans to write novels, much less eight of them. But having always been an avid reader, becoming a writer became a new dream. Read more>>

Domini White

My journey has never been perfect, but every chapter has helped shape the woman I am today. As a mother of one, I learned very early that my choices were no longer only about me. I had a child watching me, depending on me, and looking to me for strength. I wanted to create a better life—not only for myself, but for my child. Read more>>

Dr. Mary Ritz

My story really begins in Zimbabwe, where I was born and raised. I grew up watching my father lead in the tea industry, and although I did not realize it at the time, many of the lessons I learned from him about leadership, people, hard work, and treating others with dignity would eventually influence the work I do today. Read more>>

Gyasi Phillips

My story is really a story of transformation. I came from the streets and lived a life that, looking back, I know I wasn’t supposed to survive. I battled drug addiction, made a lot of mistakes, and at 24 years old I was shot 12 times in a driveby shooting. Read more>>

Max Carballo

My career began during the technological transition from analog prepress to the digital age, collaborating with environments that had critical image infrastructure, such as newspapers, publishing houses, and international agencies. In this context, I developed extensive creativity in image production, color management, and demanding editorial production processes. My vision transforms architecture and interior design into aesthetic experiences that transcend the documentary. Read more>>

Osebolulu Omo-Abu

I grew up in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, as the only child of my mom, who immigrated from Costa Rica. We lived in a brownstone, but our life inside that house looked very different from what people probably assumed. There were winters without heat or hot water, and for most of my childhood we didn’t have a stove. My mom worked three jobs. Read more>>

Slacktivist Visions

Slacktivist Visions began as a concept for a record label before evolving into a digital media production company focused on bringing creative ideas to life. After beginning to take on client work in 2017, the vision officially became Slacktivist Visions in 2020. Read more>>

Arpit Khandelwal

Our story begins with a shared foundation at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) – across both the Savannah and Atlanta campuses—where we both graduated in 2019. I, Arpit earned a B.F.A. in Photography with a minor in Entrepreneurship, and Charu earned a B.F.A. in Industrial Design with a minor in Packaging Design and Drawing. Read more>>

Princess Layah

My story is rooted in creativity, resilience, faith, entrepreneurship, and legacy. I was born in Pensacola, Florida, and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. I learned about entrepreneurship at a young age and developed an early understanding of the importance of independence, hard work, and creating something of your own. Read more>>

Sydney Pickel

I feel like my story has always been a little bit of a mix of creativity, performing, and finding ways to connect with people. I grew up in the musical theater and on-camera world, which gave me an early love for performing and storytelling. Read more>>

Larry McElhaney

Growing up in a military family, I moved around a lot as a kid, so I learned pretty early how to walk into a new environment, meet people, and communicate with different personalities. Over time, that became one of my strengths. In 2000, I joined the Army, following in the footsteps of my dad and grandfather. Read more>>

Brandra Ringo

My journey in music has been more than 20 years in the making. I’ve had the opportunity to work across different sides of the industry, from music publishing and A&R to artist development, and to work alongside some incredibly talented artists, songwriters and executives. Read more>>

Heloisa Kinal

I grew up the oldest of four in a house where the dreams were always bigger than the bank account. About ten years ago I decided I wanted to volunteer in India, except I didn’t even have a passport yet, and couldn’t afford the application fee. So I sold chocolate on campus until I could. Read more>>

Eren Lenox

Let’s just say growing up I never had the same opportunities the three of my younger brothers did. I always had to work twice as hard. I put myself through college and paid for tuition by working several odd jobs. Back then I wish I went with my instinct and chosen an acting major, but I chose journalism instead. Read more>>

Azarae Scott

I’ve been modeling for as long as I can remember. It’s always been something I’ve been passionate about, but sometimes the path you envision for yourself isn’t necessarily the path you end up taking. Over time, I realized that I wanted to do more than just be in front of the camera. Read more>>

Carla Truitt

I started Eight Royale because I couldn’t find a ballet flat that was both comfortable and stylish enough to wear every day with whatever I had on. Most options forced a trade-off — cute but painful, or comfortable but boring. So I made the one I actually wanted to wear. Read more>>

Davinci Ink

My passion for drawing started at the age of eight years old. I started by creating my own fantasy characters on paper. As I continued to get older, by the age of thirteen, I found myself getting more into Anime, immediately being captivated by characters from popular series like Dragon Ball Z. From watching the show, I mastered drawing some of my favorite characters. Read more>>

Haley Edwards

I entered foster care when I was eight years old and aged out at eighteen. I stepped into adulthood without much guidance, financial support or someone handing me a plan for what came next. I had to learn life while I was living it, and in many ways, I had to become my own foundation. Read more>>

Mitesh Patel

Just over 9 years ago, the idea for deliv (then ZipSendr) was born. After my wife left for work with both sets of keys to my car, I wondered how having her leave work and come back was so cumbersome. Read more>>

Garrett Abdo

In 1990, on a dare, I entered a stand-up comedy competition and won. I then started booking one night. Comedy shows at Atlanta area bars and restaurants. I was the first person to pay Chris Tucker to perform Comedy at that time. Then in 1993 I opened the Uptown Comedy Corner On Peachtree Rd. with my partner “Earthquake”. Read more>>

Janelle Jones

My story with 4kiddos really starts with being a homeschooling and worldschooling mom myself. As I was building out enrichment experiences for my own kids, I kept running into the same frustration over and over: there was no single place to find quality classes, camps, and events for homeschool and worldschool families. Read more>>

Crazy Mac N Cheese

Crazy Mac N Cheese started with a love for food, culture, and bringing people together. Originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, I grew up surrounded by two things that have always had the power to bring people together: music and food. Both have been a major part of my background and have shaped the way I connect with people today. Read more>>

Andi Banks

Music has honestly been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My parents ran the music at our church, so I grew up sitting in on rehearsals and listening to them practice. Without even realizing it, I was learning how to really listen. Read more>>

Carmen Waugh

My journey began with a love for baking and recipes passed down through three generations, starting with my grandmother, Lottie. Those recipes became the foundation of Custom Cakes by Carmen LLC, where I combine family tradition with a modern twist. At the same time, I have spent more than 31 years working in healthcare and earned associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Read more>>

Adimu “WolfHawkJaguar” Madyun

Blessings on Blessings I’m Adimu Madyun, also known as WolfHawkJaguar. I’m an Oakland-based musician, filmmaker, actor, cultural artist and the founder of 393films. My creative journey began with hip-hop. Music gave me a way to speak honestly about what I was experiencing and what I saw happening around me. Over time, that expression grew into theater, filmmaking and cultural storytelling. Read more>>

Latosha Bonhart

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11 My path has been anything but linear, but every single valley was quietly preparing me for a higher purpose. Read more>>

Tiffany Cooper

I’ve always been an artist and storyteller at heart. Even when I was young, I was constantly drawing, making things, taking photos, and finding ways to turn the ideas in my head into something I could actually see. Read more>>

Bianca Wilson

I’ve spent most of my career behind the scenes, helping brands tell their stories through brand marketing, cultural partnerships, and experiences. As my career evolved, I eventually realized it was time to start telling a story of my own. But while my professional life was growing, I reached a point personally where I knew I wanted something different. Read more>>

JAMAR DUVOL PIERRE

I got started as an artist growing up in New Orleans. I was a self-taught artist, and my artistic journey began with graffiti in the 1980s. At first, art was simply a way for me to express myself and connect with the environment and culture around me. New Orleans had a huge influence on me. Read more>>

Esther Aribilola

It’s actually so funny how I started my content journey. Growing up, I knew I wanted to make videos (back then it was just YouTube), but I didn’t believe in myself, but slowly snd surely I eased my way into the social media space. I started off as a blogger in the DMV, and I would highlight prominent men and women around the city. Read more>>

Ife Adebowale

My journey has never been a straight line, but every part of it has brought me closer to the work I believe I was called to do. My professional background began outside of birth work. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Communication, later completed an MBA in Human Resource Management, and continued my education through doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership. Read more>>

donia holder

The funny part about how i started is that in the beginning i didnt start off doing what i currenty do now. When i first started i was doing minor balloons and balloon mosacis. After working along one of my close friends whos an event planner i started to branch off to custom party items and party favors. Read more>>

LeJearl Gillespie

My name is LeJearl Gillespie, professionally known as Cloud. I’m the founder of CLOUD TALKS, a new media and interview platform based in Jacksonville, Florida. Before all of this, I was actually a recording artist in Cleveland. I started making music when I was 16, so I spent years around artists, creators, events, photography, videography, and the business side of entertainment. Read more>>

Jarvion Crawford

My journey started with my love for Media and the Arts which naturally led me toward photography. In the beginning, I was simply photographing family and friends, but those early experiences helped me realize how much I enjoyed capturing genuine moments and telling people’s stories through images. As I continued growing, I started working with local families and building connections within my community. Read more>>

Millie Baggett

I started my hair journey back in 2000. Color was always my focus. I became a Board Certified Master Colorist and a Wella Educator pretty early on. Educating became a huge part of my career and taught me so much about this industry. In 2007, my husband Russell and I opened RuMM Color Studio in Alpharetta. Read more>>

Shirley Rivera

My journey to becoming a business owner was not an easy one. I have overcome many hardships throughout my life, including domestic violence, drug addiction, the loss of my mother, and the devastating loss of my sister to suicide. Those experiences shaped me, strengthened me, and ultimately helped lead me to where I am today. Read more>>

Jabari Banks

Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been an avid reader and writer. Whether it be prose or poetry, movies or video games, or literary vs genre fiction, literature has always been my sanctuary in this life. Read more>>

Danielle Morrow

It all started as an idea in the year of 2023. When we first started we had more than just cookies, we had pie slices, mini donuts, cupcakes, and caramel popcorn. Until we narrowed it down to one dessert which was cookies. So we went from there, we did have a few customers within starting. Read more>>

Christopher Birt

It all started at Carver High School with the help of Mr. Karim. I originally started out working with AV at the school, but one day I asked him, “Hey, can I take some pictures?” He told me to go for it, and that was really the beginning of everything. Read more>>

Anna Ferguson

My name is Anna Ferguson and I am an artist and creator from Newnan—a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I started creating when I was about 4 years old. My live-in Granny taught me to sew…starting with crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, and simple hand sewing. Read more>>

shaundrea sylvester

My journey has really been a journey of faith, growth, and learning to believe in the vision God has placed on my heart. I started working while I was in college at LSU, and over time I realized that I wasn’t created to simply work a job and stop there. Read more>>

Caitlyn Bray

I’m Georgia-born and Texas-raised, and I always knew I’d end up in fashion. I went to Kent State University and came out with two degrees, a BFA in Fashion Design and a BS in Fashion Merchandising. I wanted to understand both sides: how a garment gets made, and how it gets to the person who wears it. Read more>>

Cristina Lipeti

I first picked up a camera when I was 8 years old: a Sakar Crayola Digital Camera. I took it everywhere with me. Through middle school I started using iPhone and DLSR Cameras, approaching photography and video primarily for school projects. Read more>>

Taylor richardson

My story began with a childhood dream that many people considered impossible: I wanted to become both a physician and an astronaut. Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, I was diagnosed with ADHD and dyscalculia at an early age. Learning differently came with challenges, but it also taught me persistence, creativity, and how to advocate for myself. Read more>>

Kiana Smith

I grew up in Norwich, New York, a beautiful little town tucked away in a valley and surrounded by rolling hills, greenery, and peaceful scenery. It was the kind of place where life felt simple, quiet, and close to nature. Growing up there gave me an appreciation for the beauty in simple things and the creativity that can come from your surroundings. Read more>>

Brazil Remani (she/her)

Writing was innate, producing was a leap, and playwriting is a choice I’ll always choose. I’ve been a writer since before I knew there was such a thing. The page was always my safe space. It just was never a space I thought I could live on and, dang skippy, not have health insurance on. Read more>>

Matthew Rabe

I grew up in Appleton, Wisconsin, and my foundation was built on the football field. My high school coach, Pat Schwanke, taught me lessons I still live by: burn the boats, you either win or you learn, and chop wood, carry water. He showed me that leadership isn’t a title. It’s how you show up when things get hard. Read more>>

Joanne Joseph

I was born and raised in Miami to immigrant parents from Haiti, and from an early age, I understood the value of education, hard work and making the most of every opportunity. My parents came to this country with very little and sacrificed so much to give me opportunities they did not have. Read more>>

Blair

From the time I was a little girl, I was always creating something. When I was five years old, I won a county writing fair for a story I wrote about Humpty Dumpty. Read more>>

Candy Scott

I’ve always been drawn to the place where fashion, storytelling, music, movement, and fantasy intersect. I was the kid who could turn getting dressed into a character study, and that instinct never really left me. My path hasn’t been completely linear. Read more>>

Sean Michael Harrison

At the barebones, I’m just a kid from Queens with dreams who was fortunate enough to keep following them. I’ve always been drawn to the arts. In my youth up until college I took dance classes, performed in school productions, and created one-person shows for myself at home and even in a youth attending summer camp. Read more>>

Dario Mohr

My story really begins a desire to create the kinds of spaces I wanted to see more of in the art world. I’m an interdisciplinary artist, curator, educator, and the founder and director of AnkhLave Arts Alliance. While those roles may appear separate on paper, they become interconnected over the course of my career. Read more>>

A. E. Purvis

I’ve always been a storyteller, even from a very young age. I participated in Mercer University’s Budding Authors program in 1997–when I was just 8 years old–and knew even then that I wanted to write in some capacity as an adult. On top of that, I’ve always been an avid reader who loves immersing myself in books and fictional worlds. Read more>>

Breoncka Mathews

Coming up as a midwest child, I always found myself in some type of art foundations. I was in dance groups. I did art classes at the Toledo Art Museum and at the local boys and girls club, you would always find me downstairs in the art room creating some type of craft. It has always been in me to create something. Read more>>

Johana Miller

My journey with teaching a second language actually started back in 2013, tutoring one-on-one. That experience showed me how much language opens up for people. It focused not just on vocabulary, but confidence and connection — and it planted a seed I couldn’t shake. Read more>>

John Brown

Basically I started after taking a sales job with a company that makes engraving machines and materials. Part of the training was to learn how to use the various machines that they sold and the types of material each machine specialized in marking. Read more>>

Cordu Bello

I’ve always had a passion for planning events and, more importantly, for bringing people together. I love creating experiences that give people an opportunity to connect, create memories, and strengthen relationships. To me, there’s something special about bringing people together in one space and creating an experience they’ll remember long after the event is over. Read more>>

Dea Wyler

I have been writing since I was in middle school. My first story was about a middle schooler who fell in love with her teacher. She then proceeded to stalk and break into his house. It ended with her being shot to death by the teacher she loved. From then, I developed my love for writing. Read more>>

Jamaal Lee

I began drawing when I was five, inspired by shows like Blue’s Clues, Rugrats, Looney Tunes, and Batman: The Animated Series. My grandparents encouraged that interest from the beginning. They supported me, provided the art supplies I needed, and helped a childhood hobby grow into a lasting passion. Read more>>

Emily Davis

I’ve been in the water my whole life. I started swimming competitively around age 10, and before that, my favorite childhood memories are just swimming with my family at the pool. I started teaching swim lessons at 15 for our local pool. That same summer, a mom asked if I could teach her daughter privately. Read more>>

Donnell Crawford

I started in radio officially in 2004. At the time i didn’t know jobs/careers like this even existed. I use to help out my cousin who worked in radio before i did and that’s how i discovered this is what i wanted to do. Working in promotions can be stressful at times but fun at the same time. Read more>>

Jordan Lynn

Hello! I’m Jordan, your friendly neighborhood metalhead. I own and operate a rock and metal media outlet called The Heavy Loud where I get into all kinds of fun and interesting stories from the world of heavy music. From band history, ‘fun facts’ and lore to record recommendations and mini documentaries deep diving into the drama of the music industry…. I cover it all. Read more>>

Maria D Rodriguez

My story really begins long before any business title or career accomplishment. I came to the United States from Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico, in 1998. I was young, I had an accent, and I was learning how to find my place in a country that would eventually become home. Read more>>

Adrian Wilson

My story really starts with understanding what it feels like to struggle in silence. For a long time, I was the person who looked like I had everything together on the outside while fighting some of the hardest battles of my life privately. Read more>>

Jazmyn McGruder

I spent over 10 years in the Air Force, working administrative and executive support at the wing headquarters level. I was stationed in Hawaii before I landed in Houston, and that decade in uniform taught me how to plan, execute, and take care of people under pressure. It’s the same skill set I use today, just with a lot more champagne involved. Read more>>

Ryan Berman

Growing up, I was always obsessed with movies. Some of my most distinct childhood memories are of my dad pulling me out of school early so we could catch the first screening of the newest Marvel movie, making videos at home with my friends and family, and watching behind-the-scenes DVDs to understand how the movies I loved were actually made. Read more>>

Steve Houston

Unus Mundus was founded by guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Steve Houston (radio: Tahiti, Support Group, ex-Autoscope, ex-Dudeman, ex-Aftermath, and ex-Cave Paintings) years ago as a one-man project, years ago. A few recordings were done at that time, and a few live shows were played including one on WUGA FM in Athens. Read more>>

Angela Zwinggi

I’ve always been a creative person, but my career didn’t start in social media or interiors. I’ve spent most of my adult life as a hairstylist and salon owner, building a business and raising my two daughters. I’m also a hot yoga instructor, and creativity has always found its way into just about everything I do. Home has always been another creative outlet for me. Read more>>

Luh Maaly

Georgia’s Own Luh Maaly Is Crafting Euphoric Trap for a New Generation Born Jamaal Sims on February 28, 1998, Georgia native Luh Maaly is carving out a lane that’s entirely his own. Read more>>

Maryam Kosoko

I was born in Dunwoody and raised in Decatur by an Oklahoman mama and a Yoruba daddy. From my view, landing in city of Decatur was a blessing curated from my dad who has a special nose for opportunity, and my mom was passionate and hard working. Read more>>

Victoria Arzel

My father has been a jeweler for almost 50 years now. I grew up knowing some things about jewelry but not enough to qualify following in my father’s footsteps. Starting at around 8 or 9 he would let me play with the buffing machine to polish scrap jewelry in the back. Read more>>

Gabriela Marquez

I started The Collective Room because I know what it feels like to build something that means everything to you… but doesn’t fully translate online. About a year and a half ago, I moved from Miami, Florida to Las Vegas, Nevada and really bet on myself in a new city. Read more>>

Clayton Landey

Wow. Well, I’ve been a working actor for 54 years. However, my first time on stage was in the 4th grade as Poppa Easter Bunny – a role I took not with the best of intentions. Frankly, at 8 yrs old, I really didn’t like the only kid who auditioned for it so I went for it and got it.. Read more>>

Gabriel Wade

I was born in Memphis, TN and grew up in Arlington, TX. I wanted to be a doctor since I was 8. I followed that path through college while also playing basketball at Oakwood University for 3 years before focusing on getting into medical school. I got into school at Howard University College of Medicine and graduated in 2009. Read more>>

K7D

I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. I started designing clothing and shoes at the age of sixteen. Basketball was my getaway, but creativity became my passion. Today, I use my creativity to express my Blackness, tell my story, and create something that can inspire the next generation of creatives. Read more>>

Angeline Brew

Literacy was a very important part of my life growing up. My dad would take me to the Fulton County Library and leave me there for an hour or so while I read and explored. I remember loving books by Virginia Hamilton, especially Cousins and Plain City. Those books shaped me because many of the stories represented who I was. Read more>>

Trevor McCandless

I started Fusion CPA in Atlanta in 2011. I’m a CPA with a Master of Taxation from Georgia State and an accounting degree from the University of Florida, so Atlanta is where my professional life took shape. The early firm was a traditional tax practice, and I noticed the same pattern over and over. Read more>>

Jon Graham

Well, it all started when I was younger, in high school, when I was coaxed into joining theater from choir. It was my first acting experience and something I carried with me throughout my career. During that time, I was also the frontman of a band called Rivervele, which I put up on Spotify a couple of years ago. Read more>>

Randall Frazier

I grew up in Southern California, mostly Los Angeles, and I went to three high schools in four years. Moving that much teaches you something early: I can adapt, and I can work with just about anybody. That has served me well ever since. I spent more than 25 years in accounting, operations, and financial management. Read more>>

Mirindi Whitmore

At 5 years old , I grew a love and passion for music and singing. Whether that consisted of being in Church Choirs, Chorus programs at school, and talent shows, you could always find me wherever the music was at. That is what lead me to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a Concentration in Voice during my matriculation at Savannah State University. Read more>>

Brandon Day

My journey into cybersecurity and entrepreneurship has been built on growth, resilience, and consistency. I began my career developing experience in cybersecurity, working in areas such as third-party risk management, incident response, vulnerability management, and security operations. Over time, I was able to work with large organizations and gain firsthand experience understanding how cybersecurity impacts businesses at every level. Read more>>

LaRue Swann

Hi, I’m LaRue Swann (she/her), also known as Belle Hendrixx. I’m 31, born and raised in Florence, Alabama, and about three years ago, I made the move to Atlanta. My path here wasn’t linear. I studied Hospitality Management and Professional Writing at the University of North Alabama, with every intention of diving headfirst into the wellness industry. Read more>>