Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Thalia Tamayo | Bartender

I’m originally from South Central LA. Yup, the hood indeed lol. I guess you can say that it’s very much like the movies. There’s violence, racial tension and poverty. Most of us who grew up here have been a part of at least one of those things that I mentioned above. I myself have been a part of all of them, but it has never completely stopped me from “the hustle”. Being from a city that has a bad reputation has allowed me to push myself into doing better in life and proudly stating where I’m from without being ashamed. The only thing that saddens me is that sometimes people here are not able to afford the services I offer at my current price, but it’s understandable, it’s hard out here for everyone including myself. Read more>>

Calina Coman | Independent Curator & Art Critic | Researcher

I am originally from Romania and currently reside in Bucharest. However, during my childhood and early teenage years, I lived in a smaller town located about two hours away from Bucharest called Calarasi. The region is relatively quiet and lacks restored historical monuments or stunning urban views, but it is abundant in natural landscapes due to the presence of a flowing branch of the Danube River. I grew up in my quaint, almost sleepy hometown, located right on the edge of Bulgaria before I moved to Bucharest. It was a significant shift from the peaceful life I was used to, to the bustling, vibrant energy of the city and its dynamic art scene. Read more>>

J.C. Hoffman | Actor

Well, I am kind of from everywhere. Moving 6 times in 18 years as an Army kid was not just a series of relocations; it was a perpetual adventure, an immersion into diverse cultures and communities. At age 4, I knew how to avoid a nuclear shock wave blast, and that duct tape was “100 mph tape,” so you don’t stick it on a plane, but you can stick on a tank. Diversity, equity, and inclusion were not just catchphrases but the fabric of my everyday existence. I often wonder why we need labels for such fundamental aspects of life, as to me, it was simply the way the world was meant to be. Living and traveling extensively in Europe during the Cold War was astonishing. Read more>>

Adrian Kader | Film Writer/Director/Editor

I was born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica, and I lived there until I left to the US for college. In Costa Rica, I went to an American school, where we were taught bilingually in English and Spanish; and my classmates came from all around the world. Being raised in such a multicultural environment allowed me to understand the importance of individual stories, and and our global connection through them. Yet even with a more globalized primary schooling, Costa Rica is still a small place. Having gone from an upbringing in Latin America to college in New York was a transition which greatly informed my personality and way of observing the world around me. Read more>>

Kumar Sieunarine | Singer/Entertainer

My name is Kumar Sieunarine known in the entertainment world as MrNiceVibes. I’m from Trinidad and Tobago, an island located in the Caribean. I am a muscian, singer, entertainer, song writer. I was born and raised in a musical family. My dad and uncles performing at events every weekend. At home i would always hear my dad practicing. Naturally i found myself drawn to instruments, my first music class was at age 10, began performing at events from then on. It was at age 18 i decided to make music my career. From then on i’ve been persuing this path with took me to places like Spain, Germany, London, Holland, Canada, North America, Suriname, Guyana. Read more>>

Kaila Uli | Entrepreneur

“I have a somewhat complicated history of growing up poor, becoming a widow at a young age, and not having access to many things that are required to become a successful human being on this planet. My name is Kaila, and I am Dutch Indonesian, which is the longer way of saying ‘Indo.’ Many people think ‘Indo’ refers to Indonesian people, but Dutch Indonesian people are a group of mixed heritage – a byproduct of colonization. We are a separate group with our own values and identity, and being Indo has deeply shaped who I am as an adult. I spent most of my young life in Pomona, California, with my parents and six siblings. We didn’t have much growing up, including money. Read more>>

Corbin Caldwell | Fitness & Fashion Model/ Strength Coach / Personal Trainer

I am from a small town in North Louisiana Called West Monroe. Our only claim to fame is that the Show Duck Dynasty is filmed there. The area is Nicknamed the sportsman’s paradise… regardless of the season there are tons of Outdoor activities to take part in. This is where people say grace at the dinner table, go to church on Sundays, say yes ma’am and yes sir to their elders and every takes a little more time to be a little kinder to each other. I call it Southern Hospitality or Southern Charm. The small town vibes are comforting It’s small enough for everyone to know everyone but unfortunately not big enough to create growth for starting creators. Growing up there I always knew I didn’t quite fit the mold. Read more>>

Huining Shi | Concept Artist

I am a game concept designer originally from China, currently residing in Los Angeles and working at Treyarch. My design journey was inspired by a lifelong passion for drawing, coupled with a deep interest in films, games, and animation. Following the completion of my education in Fine Art in China, I chose to further hone my skills in concept design at ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles. In 2017, I enrolled in ACCD’s Entertainment Design – Concept track, seizing the opportunity to intern at Infinity Ward and Raven Software during the semester, and actively participating in game development as a concept intern. Read more>>

Jen Danczak | Podcast Host & Brand Owner

I grew up in a small town called Medina, about 30 miles south of Cleveland. I was always a very social kid; I received notes on all my report cards from my teachers about how much I talked to my friends in class and needed to be moved seats, and making friends anywhere I went. (I was even voted as “Most Talkative” for my Senior Superlative by my peers during high school– what a surprise!) Everybody knew everybody in my town, emphasizing what it means to have a close-knit community within my heart. I have had the same few close friends since grade school, showing me how loyalty can flow into my adult life. Read more>>

Bruno Soares | Film Director

I often say that we’re shaped by our experiences, and in our field, our experiences heavily influence our aesthetic sense, our mannerisms, and how we weave narratives. Being a filmmaker is a continual learning process—I believe it lasts a lifetime—so the films we create end up reflecting who we are at that specific moment. My ongoing education across various facets fueling Cinema and Advertising is profoundly integral to my identity, my craft, my presentation, and most importantly, to the audience I connect with through my work. My time at university was crucial. It provided me with ample time—time to immerse myself in studying the timeless masterpieces of cinema and their creators. Read more>>

Martina Webster | Movie Producer and Film Festival owner

I was born in Germany, moved to Linz, Austria, where I finished my degree at the 1st Linzer Ballet Academy with the final test at the Vienna State Opera. As soon as I finished my degree, I moved to California, where I opened and ran a dance studio for over 38years, Many of my students ended up in film, and my own daughter also. This background is what helped me make the jump into being a producer for my own film, making a long time wish to make a Christmas movie come true. My daughter Dalea Faulkner wrote it and we both produced Hashtag Blessed The Movie streaming on many of the major channels. We are a mother daughter producer team now and are working on several features for 2024 and 2025 Read more>>

Claudia Zevallos | In Love with Love, science, the moon, helping,others & Actor.

I am from Perú, specifically, Arequipa known as “La Cuidad Blanca.” I was raised by my Grandparents and my Tia Lulú because my parents were divorced when I was 5 months old, and my mother worked non-stop ever since. Before, I couldn’t understand why the other kids always had their parents picking them up from school or be at school plays, and I had my Tias and or my grandfather. Today, I understand why and I am so grateful for how my life commenced. My Grandparents built two businesses, and since I was always with them as opposed to playing with other kids I listened in on the negotiating and dealmaking decisions while sitting in a corner with my Coca-Cola and Charadas (Peruvian version of Oreo cookies) listening and observing. Read more>>

Fabian Alomar | Actor, Skater and Mentor

I am from Echo Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. Growing up in Echo Park had a significant impact on shaping the person I am today. It was a challenging environment, with high rates of gang activity and drug abuse. Unfortunately, my parents were heavily involved in these negative influences, which made it difficult for me to escape their grip. Despite the adversity surrounding me, I discovered skateboarding as an escape. It became my solace, allowing me to channel my energy and focus into something positive. Skateboarding became more than just a hobby; it became a way for me to navigate and survive in a turbulent neighborhood. Read more>>

Tejal Kulkarni | Lawn Tennis Official

I come from an Indian middle class family. Till the age of 9 I was just following a normal routine of going to school and studying. Then my mother had put me to dance class but my father had a deep love and passion for sports, so he made me join Lawn tennis class on weekends. After few days whenever it was dance class time I used to make some excuses to avoid it and instead asked my parents to take me on Tennis court. Then I completely switched to tennis as I used to enjoy being on court and soon this turned into a professional journey as a tennis player. Read more>>

Jerry Velona | Drummer, Singer, Songwriter

I was born in Jersey City, NJ. My grandparents were all first generation Italian immigrants who settled in NJ along with many others from that era. When I was two, we moved north to Maywood, a small suburban town in Bergen County about 20 minutes from New York City. My grandfather was a professional violinist. Two of my uncles were professional musicians; one was Tony Velona who composed the song Lollipops and Roses along with many others. My mother was an excellent pianist as well as my grandmother. I grew up marinating in music and from a very early age was listening to the radio and along with my sister, memorizing and reciting songs and dialogue from the popular musicals of the day. Read more>>

Reynaldo Pacheco | Artist – Philanthropist

My journey began in the vibrant heart of South America, La Paz, Bolivia, where the seeds of my acting passion took root through street performances and unconventional theater experiences like the ‘theatre of the oppressed’. Without the luxury of formal acting schools, we embraced workshops led by visiting foreigners and gypsies, drawing inspiration from their teachings and books. This thirst for knowledge and unconventional training fueled the fire within, propelling me towards Los Angeles, driven by an unwavering passion for acting. Read more>>

Douyé Youduba | Nigerian-born Jazz recording artist

My name is Douyé and I am a Nigerian-born jazz artist. As a Nigerian, some of the values that I was raised to have are to know myself, maintain a positive attitude irrespective of what I am faced with, hold values and beliefs that add to my life positively, focus on my purpose in life, stand tall and strong, be disciplined, be of service and handle life with a heart of gratitude. These elements continue to shape my life and my perspective of the world encouragingly daily and I am super grateful about that. Read more>>

Elvira Reyes | Your social media bestie

I, a first-generation Mexican immigrant, hail from Los Angeles but spent my formative years in San Bernardino—a place often labeled as “San Bernard-ghetto.” Raised in a family steeped in tradition, my upbringing was a blend of the vibrant Mexican culture and the struggles associated with living in a low-income neighborhood. Despite the challenges, I never perceived my surroundings as overwhelmingly negative. Growing up in an area where encounters with adversity, like witnessing substance abuse or facing limited resources in schools, were considered normal, I developed a resilience that fueled my desire for something more. Read more>>

Vanesas Parish | Private Chef & Executive Director (Queer Food Foundation)

I grew up in North Carolina, moved around a few cities between Raleigh, Cary, and Fayetteville. Being a Black Indigenous Queer Woman, I definitely had my challenges when it surrounded the South. Growing up in a church-based family, I was always surrounded by people and breaking bread together. The one challenge I never had was my love for community and food. I practiced theatre arts the majority of my childhood into adulthood. This allowed me to have an energy for teamwork, networking and public speaking. Read more>>