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.

Young Jexf

I was born in Haiti and moved to the United States at eight years old. Growing up as an immigrant shaped my perspective early and gave me a voice rooted in real experience. Adjusting to a new culture, language, and environment taught me resilience, independence, and self-belief. Music became my outlet and my purpose. Read more>>

Kesha Denise

Kesha Denise is a fashion entrepreneur, business strategist, and the vibrant visionary behind Funky Flair Boutique — a bold, trend-forward brand built on style, confidence, and unforgettable customer experiences. A Los Angeles native, Kesha’s passion for fashion started early and evolved from selling accessories to local salons into launching her online boutique in 2010, followed by a brick-and-mortar storefront in 2013. Read more>>

Darius Gary

During Covid I had the idea of starting a clothing brand due to the fact that I loved fashion. However I just never knew where to start. So I began to do my research to launch my brand at the end of 2022. Read more>>

Shawn Black

I began my real estate journey in 1996 as an investor, which gave me an early, hands-on understanding of how properties perform beyond the purchase price. From 1998 to 2000, I worked in the mortgage industry, gaining insight into financing, underwriting, and how lending decisions shape long-term outcomes for buyers and property owners. Read more>>

Dr. Janet Hill

Dr. Janet Marks Hill is a visionary educator, mentor, and community leader whose career bridges academic excellence, entrepreneurial innovation, and purpose‑driven service. With an EdD and years of experience in e‑learning and student development, she has built a reputation for transforming learning environments with clarity, compassion, and high standards. Read more>>

Penny Miller

I have been a dog behaviorist for almost 20 years and run a boutique boarding facility, Desperate Dogs, where dogs have freedom to roam, are cage free and eat home made fresh food with fresh meat, veggies and fruit every day. In my spare time, I used to volunteer my time at shelters and different rescues but always noted two very fundamental issues. Read more>>

Skylar Currie

I started Serving Looks ATL as a creative outlet to share my love for food, travel, and discovering what makes cities feel alive. What began as documenting my own experiences quickly grew into a trusted platform as audiences connected with my honest recommendations and storytelling. Read more>>

Destiné Harris

It was 2019, I was a sophomore in college looking to find an additional source of income. I came across a dance job that I felt I would be a good fit for. I later found out that it was an audition for the Atlanta Hawks dance team. I was unaware of what the program truly was and, hence, completely unprepared for the audition. Read more>>

Kaleb Harden

I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember. I didn’t see the kind of visuals around me where I grew up in Valdosta, so I began making them myself. What started as experimenting with clothing and short-form content slowly turned into a way of thinking identity, culture, and how people connect to brands emotionally, not just visually. Read more>>

W. James Moore

My professional story starts at the University of Florida in 1979. My folks sent me to U of F for an education and I chose U of F to start an R&B/Funk band! The band was ‘MAGIC’. That was the actual name of our nine member band, MAGIC. I was lead singer and played guitar. Read more>>

Alexandra Bonner

Ever since I was young, I always found joy in reading comics, taking videos/pictures, and being in front or behind the camera. As I matured, I soon realized the beauty of filmmaking, and it quickly became something I wanted to pursue. Filmmaking has become the space where my imagination meets empathy. Read more>>

Kalea Cauthen

I am a master cosmetologist with over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry. I received my cosmetology training at the Aveda Institutes of Atlanta and earned my professional makeup certification from Studio Crush School of Makeup. I began my career working in full-service salons alongside top professional brands, including Aveda, Oribe, Kevin Murphy, Redken, and Wella. Read more>>

Richard Quiñones

SB Comm started in 2011, but the “why” behind it goes back further. I’ve always been drawn to technology, but what really stuck with me was how often people felt left hanging after an install—especially when they had spent real money and trusted someone to guide them. Read more>>

amani Wortham

I started creating makeup tutorials back in college on YouTube at the request of family and friends. Beauty has always been a huge part of my life and I would always get asked questions about what makeup products I used or how I styled my hair, so I decided to put out my first tutorial in 2017. Read more>>

Pete Srodoski

I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a coach or consultant. I got here the long way—by working under some truly terrible leadership and deciding I didn’t want to become that guy. Early in my career, I saw what happens when power is mixed with ego and zero emotional awareness. One experience in particular forced me to either repeat the cycle or break it. Read more>>

Dionna Everett Capers

3G Event Design is a three generation full service event design company that specializes in grand large scale floral. Our family-owned company has more than 30 combined years of event design expertise and was founded by my grandmother Barbara better known as Nana, then continued by my mom Crystal and me, the granddaughter Dionna. Read more>>

Kerrel McCrimons

My name is Kerrel McCrimons. I am a criminal defense, DUI, and personal injury attorney with Banks Weaver, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia. Beyond my legal practice, I am deeply committed to mentorship and community development. I co-lead “Our Space,” a mentoring group for young men ages 6–12 under Next Level Boys Academy, an innovative youth development organization based in Union City, Georgia. Read more>>

Dontre’ Weaver

Originally, I was working in the restaurant business before one of my good buddies, Hunter Moore, introduced me to Chad Williams, the owner of GB’s Lake. Read more>>

Nautrie Jones

I moved to Metro Atlanta in 2003 right after finishing my undergraduate degree. I honestly don’t know what initially pulled me here from Texas, but more than 20 years later, Atlanta (at this point, I have lived and/or worked ALL OVER the city, so yeah Atlanta) is home. Read more>>

Christopher Thermitus

Hello everyone, my name is Christopher Thermitus, also known as Big Chris (not the little one), and I’m the CEO and founder of Chris Lux Events. I was born in New Jersey and raised in Georgia, where creativity, community, and faith shaped who I am today. My journey into event planning began naturally through my involvement at my home church. Read more>>

Milton Davis

I began writing seriously in 2005, twenty years ago, and began publishing in 2008. Since that time I’ve written over 30 books and published over sixty total, including anthologies and books by other authors. Read more>>

Jacob Fortner

I’m a Georgia native through and through. Born and raised right here. Growing up, if I wasn’t at school or church, I was in the woods, on the water, or somewhere playing music. I’ve always loved the outdoors and the creative side of things, and those are still big parts of my life today. Read more>>

Joseph Brown

Smith, Wallis & Scott, LLC began in 1994 when a few in-house corporate lawyers decided to open their own firm. They felt their skills would be better used to help people who have been injured, rather than defending a large corporation. Since opening we have helped thousands of individuals who have been injured at work, in car accidents, medical malpractice, etc. Read more>>

Maria Barrale

I’ve been working in the weddings and events industry for over eight years, with a background that spans catering and events, corporate event planning, and ultimately wedding planning. That experience has allowed me to see events from every angle, which is something I truly value when it comes to thoughtful planning and seamless execution. Over the years, I’ve planned weddings both across the U.S. Read more>>

Rahul Raj Macha

My story is really defined by a series of leaps into bigger ponds. I am originally from Hyderabad, India, and I moved to the US about two years ago to pursue my Masters in Game Design at SCAD. I was always fascinated by the technical magic behind storytelling, and that curiosity is what eventually landed me at DNEG. Read more>>

Kimberlee Derry

My name is Kimberlee and I have always been an entrepreneur at heart. I have had many successful and some not so successful direct sales businesses in the past and was always looking for something to pour my creative talents into and then turn into a profit. Read more>>

India Smith

My story, particularly as it pertains to this work didn’t begin as a business idea; it began as a calling I became aware of early in life. Between the ages of about 12 and 14, I knew, in a way I didn’t yet have language for, that I was meant to help people. Read more>>

Sonia Taylor

First and foremost, thank you so much for selecting me for an interview. My cheer and dance journey began in a small town in Pennsylvania called West Chester, about an hour west of Philadelphia. I started dancing at just three years old at Harrison’s Dance Studio, where I developed a strong foundation and lifelong passion for performance. Read more>>

Matthew Skyy

Matthew Skyy is a rising hip hop artist who is making waves in the music industry with his unique sound and style. Matthew Skyy continuously showcases his versatility as an artist and his ability to blend traditional Hip Hop/R&B with contemporary influences. Growing up in North Atlanta as a Haitian American, Matthew Skyy developed a love for Music at a young age. Read more>>

Melissa “Missy” Riley

My journey didn’t begin with a business plan, it began with survival, purpose, and legacy. As a little girl, my grandmother used to write me letters. They were filled with love, wisdom, encouragement, and reminders of who I was and whose I was. I didn’t realize it then, but those letters planted a seed. Read more>>

Morgan Edwards

I started in music when I popped out the womb to be honest. My mom is a very talented singer, and she used to literally make me cry every time she sang when I was younger. She comes from a very musical background, and it inspired me to continue to build on that legacy. Read more>>

Sagar Kakadia

I graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in 2018. After dental school, I spent seven years practicing throughout Georgia, working in Macon, Sylvania, and the Atlanta area. These experiences allowed me to care for diverse patient populations, strengthen my clinical skills, and develop a patient-centered approach to dentistry. Read more>>

Jimmy Ball

I’m originally from Indiana, and I didn’t come from money or connections. One of my first real jobs was working at Little Caesars, and I used credit to buy my first camera. That camera changed everything. It gave me a way to create, learn, and start building something of my own. Read more>>

Vincent Fernandez

came from France in 2018 in Georgia to open my French restaurant. after several years in Country side I decide to come closer to the the city. Now in Canton since three years. The restaurant is set in historic house in historic downtown canton. Read more>>

Dezirée Slusher

The Catholic Church has a long and rich history in West Georgia, including at the University of West Georgia. Records show that a Newman Club was formally chartered in 1958. In the early years of Catholic Campus Ministry at UWG, students gathered weekly to celebrate Mass in Kennedy Chapel. Read more>>

Liya Endale

I’m the founder and executive director of Global Education Foundation (GEF), which grew directly from my personal story and sense of responsibility to community—both here in the United States and abroad. I moved to the U.S. in first grade and am originally Ethiopian. For much of my life, I felt like I existed in the dash between African and American. Read more>>

Jake Willoughby

My journey in stringed instrument repairs commenced at the age of 13, leveraging my innate mechanical aptitude. Growing up in rural south-central Kansas, I was accustomed to contributing to farm chores, including woodcutting, gardening, and cattle care, which honed my affinity for working with machinery and woodworking. My parents’ unwavering support facilitated my exploration of various interests, including stringed instruments. Read more>>

Charly McCracken

Neighborhood Empowerment and Wealth Collective, Inc. (NEW) is a Georgia 501(c)(3) nonprofit that I founded out of my own lived experience, hard lessons, and an unwavering belief that working people deserve the stability and dignity of homeownership. Read more>>

Kloe Hilton

My Story – Maison & Vow Maison & Vow was born from a season of reinvention — one where I chose courage, creativity, and purpose over everything that tried to hold me back. Before Maison & Vow existed, I ran a marketing business called A Business Loop Co. Read more>>

Taylor Thompson

My name is Taylor Thompson. I am a sophomore at the University of Alabama. This past fall I started a jewelry company, Link and Love! I’ve always been driven by ambition and the belief that I don’t have to choose just one path. From a young age, I knew I wanted to build something of my own while also pursuing my personal passions. Read more>>

Matilda Miranda

I’ve always been surrounded by creatives since a very young age, and have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. Growing up my mother taught me arts and crafts, she was also creative in her own way, but didn’t know much about drawing. Read more>>

Essence Lollis

I’ve always been a girly girl at heart. Some of my earliest memories involve my mom buying me cute heel and purse sets as a little girl, which later turned into makeup kits as I got older. Beauty has always fascinated me. Read more>>

Jasmine Holland

I started Pilates in high school through dance class conditioning and online platforms. During this time, I truly struggled with body image and self confidence. Dance and Pilates were the forms of movement that truly helped ground me. I began to view movement as therapy instead of punishment to look a certain way. Read more>>

Ryan Neikirk

I originally got into photography back in my high school days. My father always loved taking pictures on old film cameras and it always intriguing me. When I graduated High School I moved to Marietta to attend college, and my first job in the area was Wolf Camera. Read more>>

Charles Morton

Morton Electric was started as a side hustle honestly. At the time, I was a full time commercial electrician making what I thought was a decent living. I had steady work, good experience, an electrical license, and a strong understanding of a trade, but I also saw opportunities to do things better from the very beginning. Read more>>

Marlene Soto-Riera

Marlene Soto-Riera is a Latina social-impact entrepreneur, six-time published author, and the founder of Helping Swans Co. and MEDIA Marlene LLC. Her work sits at the intersection of disability inclusion, rare disease advocacy, and community building—driven by lived experience as a disabled mother raising a child with autism and a rare disease. Read more>>

Corey Ritchie

My journey in landscaping really started long before it became a business. Growing up, my father made sure I cut the grass at home in Decatur, and that responsibility stayed with me. When I bought my first house, I continued doing my own lawn care cutting the grass, trimming bushes, and keeping everything looking good.. Read more>>

LaToya Hayes

My journey into mental health began earlier than I realized. As a child, I remember watching the cartoon Charlie Brown and noticing how freely he shared his worries at a booth that was labeled ‘Psychiatric Help 5 cents’. What stood out to me was how safe he felt bringing his concerns to Lucy. That sense of emotional safety fascinated me and quietly planted a seed. Read more>>

Tony Knuppel

I’ve been making original music all my life, but only started releasing music to the public after I went through a divorce in 2022. After testing the waters with a couple singles and an EP under the moniker City Fathers, I was ready to dive in to a full album. As I was writing the album, I realized there was a theme. Read more>>

Taylor Rene

Growing up I was always artistic . I love to paint and draw. During the beginning of 2020, I had a random desire to turn my artistic abilities into something that generated money. I thought to myself ‘what’s closest to painting thats in the cosmetology field?’ and I came up with nails. I did my research, bought supplies from amazon and took off from there. Read more>>

Todd Hawkins

I decided to Switch It Up — literally — when I bought a small retail store in Gainesville, GA back in 2025. That move marked a real turning point for me. I’d spent my whole career inside two companies, working under two bosses, living my entire life within 75 miles of where I was born in Atlanta. Solid foundation, but limited room to grow. Read more>>

Kimberly Bennett

My journey started with a deep desire to give back to my community and support young people who often don’t have access to the guidance, resources, or opportunities they deserve. Growing up, I saw firsthand how powerful mentorship and having someone believe in you can be in shaping a young person’s future. In 2005, I began mentoring girls from 3rd through 12th grade. Read more>>

Dexter Summerlin

As far back as I can remember Ive always wanted to be a dentist. The true turning point happened I was 6 yrs of age. Skate boarding with some friends and falling off chipping my two front teeth. Being terrified about what had happened, my family and I drove down the shore ( In New Jersey) to my uncles dental office. Read more>>

Cassandra and Todd Huggard

Todd and I (Cassandra) started our journey in wedding videography and photography 8-9 years ago now when we made the move to Georgia from Redding, California. Todd had always been interested in film making so we actually started by getting work in the film industry as background extras as we started to explore what a life in film work would look like. Read more>>

Steven Cardoza

I started Detail Excellence around 2019–2020, working out of my garage with the simple goal of providing quality car detailing for people who genuinely cared about their vehicles. In the beginning, I was doing mostly drop-offs, learning through trial and error, and putting in long hours just trying to get better every day. As demand grew, the business naturally transitioned into a fully mobile operation. Read more>>

Ashley Ramirez

I’ve always been a builder. Whether it was scaling my businesses or managing properties, I’ve focused on excellence. However, the path to where I am today wasn’t just about personal milestones like earning my MBA—it was about recognizing a gap in our community. I founded the Barcos Foundation because I believe grooming is a fundamental tool for empowerment. Read more>>

Dr. Leticha Heflin, DSL, MS

That encouragement carried me forward and ultimately led to being awarded the Bill & Melinda Gates Scholarship, which allowed me to pursue my bachelor’s degree at Hampton University and my master’s degree at Old Dominion University. Those experiences further shaped my worldview and strengthened my commitment to resilience, service, and global awareness. Read more>>

“Grand”

BIO • 44 VR OLD VETERAN EMCEE, FROM SUFFOLK COUNTY LONG ISLAND NY GRAND* HAS BEEN RAPPING SERIOUSLY SINCE 17 YRS OLD, 1993. BACK THEN HE WAS PART OF A 4 MAN GROUP, WITH THREE OTHER LOCAL EMCEES, CALLED GHOSTLAND. THEY BUILT A RESPECTED FAN BASE THE YEARS WE WERE ACTIVE UNTIL 1997. THEN HE MADE HIS FIRST DEMO, 5 SONGS IN 2004. Read more>>