Highlighting Local Gems

Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.

Dominique Arnel DaCosta

If I knew I only had 10 years in this business, I would stop hosting classes and just do workshops and retreats. I want my clients to have the full wellness experience and it’s hard to get that in a 45-minute movement session. If I only had 10 years in life, I would stop underestimating myself, the power of healing, manifesting, and the mind. Read more >>>

Rosie Bonds

If I laid down everything, I’ve still got Soul and all the riches my soul happens to possess! ‘I got Soul and I’m super Bad’-James Brown. Read more >>>

Rahkal Roberson

A woman deeply stirred by her convictions and a heart devoted to serving, supporting, and guiding others, especially students and young adults—as they navigate the journey of personal and professional growth, shaping a life their 50-year-old selves will look back on with pride. Read more >>>

shady Radical

I am after my liberation. My liberation is my peace, joy, happiness, and sense of unbridled freedom. If I stopped chasing it, I would never be happy. Read more >>>

Jasmine Sargent

The biggest misconception is that Revitalize Touch is a “spa massage.” I’m a recovery therapist. My work sits at the intersection of sports therapy, pain management, and performance care—not luxury pampering. Read more >>>

Terry Taylor

I believe a lot of people especially men are silently struggling with their mental health. Speaking from personal experience as a 33-year-old man, I didn’t fully realize the extent of my own mental health challenges until recently. For a long time, I normalized certain behaviors, emotions, and coping mechanisms without recognizing them as signs that something deeper was going on. Read more >>>

Jaden Hobson

I’m not sure what people will misunderstand about my legacy, but if anything, it might be how much sacrifice went into it. People see the results, the clothes, the message. But they don’t always see the late nights, the setbacks, and the persistence it took to build something real. Read more >>>

Cashmere Gaston

What I think people will most misunderstand about me is that I never did any of this to try to be better than anyone. Read more >>>

Aquilla Smith

I think people might misunderstand my legacy, not seeing that The Most High moves through me regardless of my sexuality! He chooses the unexpected, the broken, the overlooked, to show his power and prove he is real. Read more >>>

Suquorey Clarke

The foundation of this company is a deep commitment to providing a solution, not contributing to the problem. My motives are, and will always be, genuine. I aim to make the world a better place in the most creative way I know how. Read more >>>

Brian Pruett

So, I am reminded daily by God, family, and friends that the false label I am carrying is that I am not worthy of having what I want or that I matter to the outside world. While I am doing what I believe God has called me to do, I do wonder if I am truly making a difference. Read more >>>

LILLOWE BEATS

Production and Studies Read more >>>

Nykisha Banks

A normal day for me is a very busy one. Most people think I just show up to teach, but the truth is, a lot happens behind the scenes. Read more >>>

Isabella Robinson

The light I’ve been dimming is my full confidence in the vision God has given me. Too often, I hesitated—waiting for outside validation or the “right moment”—instead of fully trusting the gifts He placed inside of me. I let fear of failure or being “too much” keep me from shining the way I was called to. Read more >>>

Porchea-Londone Spencer

My earliest memory of feeling powerful was around six or seven, when I became very vocal about what I wanted to wear. I knew what made me feel like myself and I wasn’t shy about saying it. For me, power has always been tied to self-assurance, both in how I present myself and how I use my voice. Read more >>>

Shalita Thrasher

Was exactly when I BEAT CHEMOTHERAPY DURING COVID-19 I had to fight for my Life, giving up was not an option. Read more >>>

Debbie Nunnally

We would deeply regret not pursuing our novel and the dream of becoming showrunners one day. Both of us have incredibly imaginative minds, filled with ideas, characters, and worlds that we’ve been dreaming up for as long as we can remember. Read more >>>

Renetta Cheston

I grew up as a preacher’s kid but I didn’t let many people know in my life. Even most of the people closer to me really didn’t know. So I know the Bible back & forth because that was my life. I used to hold the fact there was only 1 way to God/The Creator. Is millions of ways to get to Him. Read more >>>

Lenise Leknes

In our bakery we have a prayer request box. I am always surprised to see the struggles my customers are facing, despite their well put together demeanor. This goes to show, you never know what someone is facing. Letting our community know we see them is the focal part of our impact. Kindness and love can be the best medicine for a hurting soul. Read more >>>

Shawndra Blue

I was supposed to get married in 2017. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I changed my mind & I can honestly say I have no regrets for doing so. That one decision changed the trajectory of my entire life. I changed careers, I changed my surroundings, & I launched my business. I took the time to heal along the way. Was it easy? Absolutely not! Read more >>>

Tasharae Nicholson

There was a time in my life when I felt like I was a mess. It was as though my whole sense of self felt wrong, However, when I began to open up and be vulnerable with the Lord a bout what I was feeling, it was then that the unexpected happened. As I continued on the path of vulnerability, I began to feel His love. Read more >>>

Don Doc

My last performance was the last time I felt true joy. It felt freeing as if nothing else mattered in the world at that moment. The music had its own magic and took over. I found out a lot about myself within that performance, I guess that’s what the blues do to you. Read more >>>

Sheree Swann

The last time I can recall feeling true joy was a month ago. It was a stressful and demanding time: I was on assignment, essentially working a 9-5, Monday – Friday. When I logged off for the day, I was either driving many miles to conduct interviews for a documentary, or many miles to build a garden site. Read more >>>

Bunny

Ooh, the last time I felt true joy.. I mean I feel joy everyday! But I think the deepest joy I’ve felt is the feeling after being here in Atlanta for a couple of years so far. I’ve never felt so happy and comfortable in a space before. Read more >>>

Ben Kittler

Man, the last time I felt true joy was being in the studio with the whole crew— J3, Chief Maja, Fastlane Reno, NASCAR, Rello Obama, Noli, VISIONZ, Solo Beats, Sir William, DJ NF Raebo and me in the cut. The energy was pure electricity—beats knocking, verses bouncing around the room, everybody locked in like we were all chasing something bigger than ourselves. Read more >>>

Tanya Lacourse

My grandmother was my lifejacket. She was my father’s mom and was the kindest, most gentle, all loving grandmother a person could have. My relationship with her was so special and I always felt total and complete protection, loyalty and support with her by my side. Read more >>>

Amauri Davis

My greatest teacher right now is my son. Through him, I’m learning patience, gratitude, and unconditional love. Each day, I grow alongside him becoming not just a better role model, but a better version of myself. Read more >>>

Teerra Monae

Absolutely, because I’m dedicated to everything I do. I’m hands on, I pay attention to detail, very reliable and a natural born winner. Read more >>>

Bilkis Shinaba

I believe I am on a purposeful career path. I began by working diligently in entry-level positions, which provided me with valuable life lessons and a strong work ethic. I then advanced my education in pursuit of a master’s degree, leading to my current professional role. Today, I am proud to serve as co-owner of Millie &amp; Graham, a dog grooming boutique.<br> Read more >>>

Cortney Hendrix

Being proud of my 2 year anniversary and having my own wax after care oil. Read more >>>

Ronika Ward

I feel so proud of myself for believing in my vision and being obedient to follow my dream as an entrepreneur. Read more >>>

Terah Da Barber

Absolutely—the public version of me is the real me. I don’t put on a costume that comes off at the end of the day. What you see is who I truly am. I do keep it real and share my true life, challenges, and shortcomings on my motivational podcast, Intro Morning Mondays, which I co-host with my wife, Sherece Sapp. Read more >>>

Teri

Yes!! It’s the BEST, I’ve GOT!! I actually began teaching that ideology over 20 years ago. It started with teens and I carried and crafted it, to encompass my adult client, curriculum. It’s such a Healthy way of moving… Impersonating can be self-destructive. Read more >>>

Dylan M Beck

I am most proud of myself for building a foundation within myself that follows Jesus and God, works hard, and tries to always think of ways that I can expand my brand/ myself in a positive way every day. Read more >>>

Dolphin Coley

The major thing that I’m constantly building up that nobody sees is a better version of myself. I wake up each morning giving myself daily affirmations of being unstoppable along with declaring my gratitude to GOD for his guidance and helping me be a better Man today than I was yesterday which allows me to be one step closer to goals. Read more >>>

Brittney Price

The first 90 minutes of my day is total mindfulness. I wake up in prayer, drop to the side of my bed and begin stretching and meditating. I drink a bottle of #eleven86realartesianwater go jogging/walking for 30 minutes. No phones included. Read more >>>

Kieyesia Jetton

My first go minutes of my day look like me waking up and just being thankful and praying. Being appreciative for everything that I have. Read more >>>

Classy Streetz

I grew up in a deeply religious environment where everything felt very black-and-white—light and dark, good and bad. I’ve come to realize that life is too short, sometimes far too short. We’re here today and could be gone tomorrow, so every moment counts. Read more >>>

Ketorrie Chatman-Ballenger

Some of the defining wounds of my life have been overcoming sexual assault, bullying, deep insecurities, and personal hardships. These experiences left marks on me, but they also shaped who I am today. I’ve worked through the pain by leaning into prayer, going to therapy, having the hard conversations—even when it hurt—and trusting God every step of the way. Read more >>>

Kelli Laneé

What has been bringing me joy lately outside of being an artist is simply just being and what I mean by that is not being pressured to create , meet deadlines etc . But for me to just be my biggest project at the moment and taken time be with God. Read more >>>

Dr. J (Jestacia Lanette)

Peace- still, tranquility. Love for others and selfcare. Read more >>>

James Kirklin III

My closest friends would say that I value loyalty and honesty over most anything else. I actually recently made a post that I shared across all my social media platforms. It read: ‘Before getting married, our counselor asked me specifically “What do you want to be most remembered for? Read more >>>

Kristina Cohen

My partner and I are deeply committed to building Granola People. The time and energy we’re putting into it now is an investment in something long-term. We want to create the most delicious and nourishing granola we can, while also making the process fun and reflective of who we are. Read more >>>

Immanuel Zechariah

I’m committed to helping people understand that there is an answer for all the sickness, death, and disease in the world — and that answer is found in aligning ourselves with the One who created us. When we follow His ‘playbook,’ we not only find healing for the body, but peace for the soul and direction for life. Read more >>>

Jovella Vanison

Three am, a moment of stillness, where I tap into my most transformative thoughts, and prioritize self-care that nourishes my mind and soul. Read more >>>

Amanda James

I’m going to answer this question like this, I don’t conform or mold myself by the ‘worlds’ expectations. I focus on who I am as a person, and who I am as a woman. I feel like this, as long as I’m really doing right by people and myself, have good morals, integrity, and respect, I’m not worried about other people’s opinions. Read more >>>