Those of us who were lucky to have someone see something in us long before we saw it in ourselves know how impactful it can be. We are thrilled to highlight some of those stories and honor some of the OG heroes.
Katina Douglas
The people who saw me before I truly saw myself were often strangers, those who crossed my path without knowing my story, yet somehow recognized something in me that I hadn’t seen yet. Sometimes it’s the people who know nothing about you who can see you the most clearly. Read more>>
Luvéé
I’d say my mom and my godfather saw me clearly before I could see myself. My mom never tried to redirect my dreams, she never said, “you need to be something more practical.” Instead, she accepted that I was always going to be creative in some way, whether it was through music, fashion, or even helping animals. Read more>>
Michelle “Diamond” Nelson-Searcy
“Without a doubt, my mother, Valerie Drysdale. She saw me long before I had words for who I was becoming. She carried me through what doctors said was impossible, and her strength shaped every bit of my faith and resilience. Even now, her voice is part of my compass. Read more>>
Courtney Robinson
One of the people who saw me clearly before I could see myself was my high school English teacher, Mrs. Gooch. I was a member of the Thespian Society and part of her senior leadership class, and she had us write about where we saw ourselves in the future. Read more>>
Slay KANADIKIRIK
My husband. He’s always seen something in me long before I did the creative side, the strength, the potential to turn my passions into something real. Even when I doubted myself or felt unsure, he reminded me of who I was and what I could do. He’s been that steady voice pushing me to dream bigger and trust my instincts. Read more>>
William Leecan
My elementary school art teacher. He saw my artistic ability and encouraged me to explore my talent. Read more>>
Caleb ‘SoulSoundz’ McLean
Once I decided that music production was the path that I wanted to pursue, I designed my whole grad school experience to align with it. I was a staff producer for the school’s record label, Syracuse University Recordings, while at the same time starting my own label, SoulSoundz Music Group. Read more>>
Kevian “KB” Bateman
My mother saw me clearly and knew that I would be in music. When I was 3 years old I was always playing the toy pianos in department stores. So she bought me piano and microphone and it was up from there. LoL Read more>>
Kim Nicole Thomas
Yahweh God saw me long before I ever saw myself. He knew me before time began, before the foundations of the earth were laid. Before my mother and father ever came together, He had already called me by name. Even before my father’s seed met my mother’s egg, I was living in His heart and resting in His mind. Read more>>
