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.

Quincy Jones

I would say I’m most proud of the relationships and team I’ve built over the years. Being around so many actively motivated individuals excel in their craft, and make impactful moves in the spaces they’re in is incredibly rewarding. Even if it goes unseen, the foundation of collaboration and growth with these people that plays into the bigger picture is what I enjoy the most. Read more>>

Casey Armstrong

✨ *“What I’m most proud of building in The Polished Wick Candle Company isn’t just the candles themselves, it’s the unseen foundation. It’s the late nights perfecting blends until the fragrance told the right story, the discipline of staying consistent when no one was watching, and the values of love, excellence, and intention poured into every jar. Read more>>

Cherae Leri’

The value of peace of mind. Rest is power, health is really wealth, time is priceless, and energy is real. I understand how fragile everything we call “security” really is — and how beautiful it can be when you stop clinging to it. Most people believe stability comes from titles, money, or applause. Read more>>

Ahoo Sarab

My defining wounds have been my greatest teacher. They continue to be, but the way it shows up for me now is so different than how they showed up in my past. In my past, I would try hard to hide from my wounds or my demons, as I like to call them. It would feel shameful or weak to expose the wound. Read more>>

Mo Sargent

When I sit at the wheel or spread my tools across the table for a new mixed media piece, time dissolves. There’s something about shaping clay with my hands that grounds me in a way nothing else can. The world gets quiet, even when there’s music playing or the studio hums with life. Read more>>

Volt

Honestly, I think the part of me that tried to please everyone has served its purpose.I used to move in a way where I wanted people to get it — to understand the grind, the vision, the late nights, the loyalty. But I realized not everyone’s supposed to see it or clap for it. Read more>>

Marissa Hunter

Doubt. I’ve learned to listen to myself and give space for my inner voice to guide me through difficult situations. I haven’t always trusted it, and every time I ignored it, I paid the price. While I value the wisdom of others, I’ve also accepted that the insight I’ve earned through experience is one of my greatest superpowers. Read more>>

Kelly Romo

Integrity with honesty maybe? I really believe in holding your ground on what you believe in, and I really believe in holding a community with the same values as you, or values that you respect. I’ve seen so much double crossing and lack of loyalty in the circles I’ve swam in, and as a result I feel like those circles have grown smaller. Read more>>

Octavia Traylor

They’d say I care deeply about purpose, people, and peace. They know I don’t play when it comes to my kids, my calling, or my connection to God. I’ve been through too much to waste time on surface-level anything. Read more>>

Elijahh Aiden

At this moment in my life I would have to say energy. I’m currently extremely protective over my peace & overall well being that if I feel someone’s energy is even slightly off – I’m quick to remove myself from them. Read more>>

Levonne Gigger Ekechukwu

The truth is, I never really hid my pain — I’ve always believed transparency is power. I’ve been told I ‘overshare’ or that I ‘use Facebook like a diary,’ but for me, sharing my struggles in real time has always been intentional. Read more>>

Asia Flowers

When I realized no one in this world owes you anything..not the absent Dad, your ex, your Mother, no one. I started using my pain as power when I didn’t allow my circumstances or upbringing to define who I am or who I want to be. Read more>>

Tara Towler Cumby

I feel most at peace when I’m home with my husband and our boys. Even in the middle of the noise, the laughter, and the chaos that comes with family life, there’s a calm that settles in — a sense that this is exactly where I’m meant to be. Read more>>

Veronica Smith

When I create something special for one of my customers. Making my custom pieces is my peace. Read more>>

A’CIRE NEWBY

“I will always remember the day that Gerald Barclay called me and asked if I would be the Production Manager for A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. I said without hesitation, ‘Hell Yeah!’ Those guys are legends worldwide, and I knew that this project would be nothing less than extraordinary. I was correct!” That project, A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Read more>>

Liv Averie

I’m glad I didn’t rush the process of building SoundTonic. From the start, so many people have shared their opinions on how I should launch it—everything from app features to funding strategies. Their ideas have been helpful, but I knew I needed to move at my own rhythm. Read more>>

Sakina Garba

There have been many moments in my life when I felt the urge to move quickly, but looking back, I’m grateful I didn’t. Over the past decade, I poured myself into building a skincare business, only to face unexpected challenges financial struggles, personal setbacks, and the kind of life events that can make you question everything. Read more>>

Erin Stieglitz

Into the Woods is one of my favorite musicals because 1) I love fairytales and 2) I think the moral of ‘be careful what you wish for, it may actually come true’ is so relevant. I think there are so many quests that are unsatisfying even when we achieve what we perceive to be the ultimate destination. Read more>>

Shay Speaks Life

Yes, I have. One of the most defining moments in my life was when I stood up for my daughter after she was violated by someone close to the family. I made the difficult decision to take legal action, even though it meant taking my ex–in-laws to jail. Read more>>

Alexia De Melo

I often feel out of my depth. Growing up a perfectionist made it difficult to try new things and even harder to deal with being bad at them. I wanted to be the best right away and when that didn’t happen it led to frustration, disappointment, and a lot of self-criticism. Read more>>

Caroline Dunn

I’m regularly out of my depth, but I don’t let that stop me. For me, it’s not a signal to quit, it’s a signal to work harder. Challenge accepted! I can learn, I can strategize, and my curiosity keeps me moving forward. That grit is what’s carried me through both my career and my creative projects. Read more>>

Jeannine Burgess

I would stop doubting myself. I’d let go of imposter syndrome and step forward with greater confidence in my voice and my work. I think I’d take life a little lighter, worrying less about how things are perceived, while also sharpening my focus and intention on what truly matters. Read more>>

Gregory Walker

Without it being a matter of health, the longer I’ve practiced, the more I’ve come to value letting go of opportunities where the value alignment isn’t there. Read more>>

Emily Ward

This ones hard, because anything i answer here, i should probably just start now. But if we switched it up to say that, i would answer with – doubting Gods plan for my life – it’s human nature, but it doesn’t mean it’s any less relevant. Read more>>

Tiana Thomas

My faith! Read more>>

Yeye Ifafunmilola Omitoke Faluade

If I laid down my name, role, and possessions, what would remain is my essence—my integrity, my character, and my peace of mind. I do not live for recognition or approval; I live in service to balance my debts to nature and to honor my ancestors. Even without titles or material things, I would remain whole. Read more>>

Kevin Allen

My integrity, the legacy of the many lives that I’ve touched through giving and my philanthropic contributions to my community. Read more>>

Becky Kimmons

Thankfully, I think our customers would miss the relationship. I love that the wedding venue and events like our Farm-to-Table dinners introduce us to people, and then they become long-term customers and relationships through the farmers market, blueberry season and more. Read more>>

Emanuela Joseph

What I missed the most is my childhood/ Teenage years. I grew up way too fast and pushed myself to move through life quickly. I don’t regret where I am today, but I do wish I had given myself the chance to slow down, to really understand life as it came. Read more>>

Cleve Willis

letting go of control or being in the outcome business Read more>>

Nikita Thomas

I believe people make up their minds about who someone is—and then hold them there. They struggle to accept that people can grow, change, or even make choices outside the boundaries of the identity once assigned to them. What truly fractures a bond is not the change itself, but the absence of grace—the inability to love without conditions or to evolve alongside one another. Read more>>

Leah Gabrielle

Disloyalty, mistrust, selfish ambitions, lies, forcibility breaks bonds between people and love, a deep understanding of self, care and forgiveness restores relationships and bonds back together. Read more>>

Charbel Aoun

I believe that first-generation identity is one of the most underutilized leadership resources in America right now. However, I can’t prove it with data, metrics, or controlled studies. Here’s what I mean: I believe that the skills we develop, navigating systems without roadmaps, translating between worlds, building networks from scratch, and creating opportunities where none existed, aren’t just survival mechanisms. Read more>>

Max Julius Records

People may think we are strictly a music label/collective. But we are also a brand/network. We don’t specialize in just music we are currently working on short films/visuals, clothing and merch. Read more>>

Luis Prieto

First of all, I would like to dedicate this article to my little brother Carlos, who is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. We love you, brother. Stay strong and keep fighting — we’ve got your six. I’ve been struggling deeply with the pain of seeing my little brother in the hospital. Read more>>

Brooke Jaye Taylor

The vast majority of us as humans struggle with feeling seen. It manifests in many ways, not the least of which is how we engage with social media. Everyone wants their voice to be heard or their story to be known. It’s why art is as essential as oxygen. We watch stories and listen to music to feel less alone in the world. Read more>>

Eversen Bevelle

Being present. People are struggling with being present rooted in this moment. So concerned about where they weren’t and so anxious about what’s to come. Life is lived through moments, if your not paying attention you’ll miss one of the best moments of your history because you weren’t present. I encourage people to experience the right now. Read more>>

Bye CAMRN

I think a lot of people are secretly struggling with feeling like they’re living someone else’s version of life. We post wins online and tell ourselves we’re okay, but underneath there’s this question of “Is this really me, or just the role I’m playing?” That’s the kind of tension I write about—loyalty, identity, illusions—because I feel it too. Read more>>

Monè Campbell

As a collective, I think we struggle with the art of surrender. Surrendering to the natural flow of life can be regarded as negligent, unrealistic, or even indolent — especially when we’ve been programmed to perform. Society has conditioned us to plan our lives based on external expectations. Read more>>

Jessica Zielske

I think so many people — especially professional women and moms — are secretly struggling with the pressure to do everything “right” and make it all look effortless. Behind closed doors, they’re questioning if they’re dropping the ball somewhere, if they’re really giving their best to their career, their family, and themselves. Read more>>

Quiana Butler-Gist

A lot of people are secretly struggling with the pressure of looking successful without actually feeling successful inside. Social media makes it easy to post the highlights, the trips, the new car, the lifestyle, but behind closed doors, many are battling with debt, exhaustion, and self-doubt. Read more>>

Rev. Caspar McCloud

As an artist, musician, equestrian, author, and pastor, I have had the opportunity to observe people from diverse walks of life and nations for a considerable time. As lovely as some people are, I find the Word of God never misses. We read in Romans 3:10-As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. Read more>>

Debo Loudd

That it came over night ,I never went through anything because I don’t look like it nor carry it that way & That it was luck. The reality of it is it took real time & cultivation when no one else was looking. This has always been my calling & was always going to happen. Read more>>

Ashley Elizabeth

That I don’t deserve this. My life has been really beautiful but really hard. I’ve endured more than the average individual and people like me aren’t supposed to have good things happen to them. And I’m still grappling with that. Heavy imposter syndrome. Like maybe I don’t know what I’m doing or not qualified enough. But I’m doing it and I’m learning along the way. Read more>>

Arielle Page

I typically start my day with a healthy breakfast. I think it’s important to take care of yourself before you can take care of your business. I then run last minute errands before heading into the bakery. This may include bank runs, grocery runs or miscellaneous store runs. I then go into work to check on staff and do admin work. Read more>>

Tiffany Tillman

I’ve dimmed my creativity light for various reasons but it’s temporary. I realized the type of projects that I plan to work on will require extensive resources and proper planning. I’m currently already working to mainstream one of those projects. I want to ensure they aren’t rushed or poorly executed. Read more>>

Christian Powell

My relationship that shaped me mostly how I see myself today. Would have to be my first mentor for soccer, Coach Tom Paschal. When I first started to play soccer I was not an any way shape or form a confident player. Read more>>

Mar’Kayla Bethea

The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I have with my mom. She has always been my biggest supporter, encouraging me to believe in myself even when I doubted my own abilities. Read more>>

Cornelius Turner

Pastor Steven Cox of Church of Life, Inc., had a major role in shaping how I see myself. Prior to joining his church, I suffered from low self esteem and felt like I did not have a voice. I was very shy, timid, and soft spoken. Pastor Cox poured into me by teaching me how to dress for sucess and how to be a leader. Read more>>

Neesa

The relationship that’s shaped me most is my relationship with God. It’s taught me self-worth, patience, and wisdom, helping me embrace my journey fully. Read more>>

Jimya Oglesby

My relationship with my mom and my sisters have shaped my perception of myself. They are truly my “why” behind my drive and motivation. My sisters inspire me the most as it brings me joy to know they’re proud of me and that I’m setting the example/standard for how they navigate life. Read more>>

Wichita Mensah

The relationship that has shaped me most is the one I share with my parents and my sister. They’ve always been my biggest cheerleaders—constantly hyping me up and reminding me that I can chase any dream. My parents raised me to be unapologetically myself: whether I’m coloring my hair, leaving medicine to study law, or starting a cooking blog, they’ve never questioned my choices. Read more>>

Cyndi Ystes

My mother, she was a fantastic woman. Her and my father divorced in 1974. It was still at the time where women need their husband signature to get credit. My Mother knew that was the avenue to her success. At the time she worked as a bookkeeper for beneficial financial. Read more>>

Naima Starr

One truth so foundational in my life that I rarely articulate it is the necessity of authenticity. For me, authenticity is more than honesty; it is alignment. It is the practice of making sure my words, actions, and choices reflect the truest parts of myself, even when that truth is vulnerable, inconvenient, or misunderstood. Read more>>

Pamela Seda

My earliest memory of feeling powerful was in 3rd grade, when I realized I was “math smart.” I was one of the few Black students in my class on a military base in Germany, but my teachers and classmates treated my ability as normal—not surprising, not unusual, just true. That affirmation mattered. I felt seen for my brilliance, not separated from it. Read more>>

Erayna Sargent

In kindergarten, I was chosen to recite Shel Silverstein’s poem “Invention” in front of over 400 students and teachers at Mason Elementary in Detroit. Standing on that stage, I felt both terrified and completely alive and apparently confident enough that I told my mom that she didn’t need to join me on stage. Read more>>

Danielle Bryson

My power moment was the first time I heard God. I listened to my higher self. I was about 12 years old. In nothing but my pink nightgown. I remember like it was yesterday. A few days after Christmas, its just my mom, stepdad, and I the only child. Read more>>

Akissi Stokes-Nelson

My earliest memories of feeling truly powerful come from spending time with my grandfather on his farm. I vividly remember digging my hand into the warm, rich, black fertile soil of Southern Georgia, carefully creating a tiny opening for a small seed. That simple act connected me deeply to the energy of the earth. Read more>>

Cole and Jerry Worley and Allen

Jerry-I would say that my earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I won the neighborhood battle of the century, duel of the Bakugons. The kids left crying, I left poweful. I walked away feeling the most powerful with Isaacs legendary Bakugon Apollonir. He wept tears at the sight of his Bakugon rolling away. Read more>>

Brae Richardson

Honestly, I don’t regret putting people on — and I never will. Even in situations where I’ve had personal issues or fallouts with someone, I’ve never let that get in the way of an opportunity I could give them. I truly enjoy being a connector and plugging people in, without expecting anything in return. Read more>>

Lakeshia Williams

I used to believe success had to follow a specific script: go to college right after high school, get a good job, stay there for 20 years, retire, and then finally enjoy life. If I didn’t follow that path, I thought I was failing. That belief wasn’t mind. It was survival messaging passed down through generations. Read more>>

Gene Harmon

This is a difficult aspect to hold on to as an interpreter, but culturally we are all different. We have all been raised differently – in different surroundings, in different cultures, and all of us come with our own norms, taboos, beliefs and passions. Being culturally different makes society and the world colorful and interesting. As an interpreter, this must be remembered at all times. Read more>>

Timothy Richards

One thing I changed my mind about was the idea that hard work alone guarantees success. I used to think if I just pushed myself enough working late nights and grinding nonstop the results would automatically come. But after failing a few drops that didn’t perform how I expected, I realized effort has to be paired with strategy, patience, and adaptability. Read more>>

Anika Kablan

One of the most surprising things I’ve learned about my customers is how many of them have followed Solani’s evolution from the very beginning. Many of my customers aren’t just buying a product — they’ve watched the brand grow with me, from its earliest collections to what it is now. Read more>>

Brandon Lee Anthony

There are two things that surprise me from a lot of my customers. One is that when many think of barbecue , they think of pork. Barbecue ranges from all kinds of meats, and vegetables. Our number one seller is beef brisket. The second thing would be that a lot of people here in Georgia don’t relate smoke to barbecue. Read more>>

Kiara Reid

Since I’ve had my daughter , I get to experience joy on a regular basis. Watching her grow, learn, and be curious about the world around her. Read more>>

Devon Mckelvin

When I was about six years old, my parents separated. My father moved back to New York, while my mom, my sister, and I stayed in Atlanta. In that moment, I felt like I had to step up — to become the man of the house and protect my family in my father’s absence. It was a turbulent time. Read more>>

Tonika Hightower

Growing up visually impaired evoked fear that I was incapable of achieving life’s objectives, but with divine guidance, I was able to attain anything I committed myself to. Read more>>

James Kyles

I am currently learning from my beloved mother. One of the most precious lessons she teaches me is strength. In January 2025, I lost my father after his long battle with congestive heart failure, and in September 2025, I lost my grandmother to dementia. Despite these deep losses, my mother continues to carry herself with resilience and grace. Read more>>

Derek Gibson

I’ve always admired my dad for his character. He is always calm, and doesn’t take himself too seriously. He is also very giving and always willing to help people. I also admire my mother for her determination and never accepting defeat whenever she is faced with a challenge. Read more>>

RJ LoPresti

When I think about character, the people I admire most are my parents. They didn’t just tell me what was right—they showed me, every day, through their actions. They raised me to work hard, to always do the right thing, and to speak the truth, even when it was hard or uncomfortable. But beyond teaching me personal discipline, they taught me about responsibility to others. Read more>>

Robanne Schulman

I would definitely hire myself, as I am a perfectionist when it comes to achieving the best results for my clients. I want to ensure that they walk away with a wardrobe that is easily interchangeable, mostly season-less, and not overwhelming. Read more>>

Colleen Eakins

Yes, most definitely! I often wish I could clone myself and had a team of me’s to get work done. I feel that some of my strongest points are that I am organized, creative, and highly motivated to get the work done. I meet deadlines on time and when I am unclear about something, I don’t mind asking questions to get clarification. Read more>>