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.

Vanidy

Growing up in Charlotte, NC, my story is one of passion, resilience, and transformation. Rooted in a love for theater, the arts, and fashion, my journey began in a religious household where my “tomboy” tendencies were supported until puberty brought about restrictions aimed at preventing teenage pregnancy. Read more>>

Shade Moore | Entertainer: Host, Actor, Singer and Dancer

I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan and being from the Midwest and a smaller city in comparison to Los Angeles and Detroit has definitely added to the proud young Black woman I am today. Read more>>

Nansi Manokian | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

I was born in Iran, Tehran. At the age of 5 years old my family moved to Germany and I spent most of my childhood there. By the age of 10 years old my family made the decision to move out of Germany with the intention of coming to the United States for a better opportunity for our future. Read more>>

Yunqian Lin | Artist & Gallery Manager

I am from China, where I was born and raised, deeply immersed in the rich culture and history of Asia. My parents played a significant role in shaping my perspective, always encouraging me with the mantra, “One small step a day, always new heights.” Read more>>

Ana Salles | Founder, Head of Creative & Strategist @ MAGIA

I’m from São Paulo, Brazil—a vibrant, bustling hub of culture. It’s a place teeming with art, music, and a real sense of community. Growing up there taught me the importance of solidarity and generosity, and it’s something I bring into every part of my work. Read more>>

Weiko Lin | Writer and Graduate Director of Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University

I was born in Taiwan and grew up there during at the time, the longest running Martial Law in the world. I immigrated to the U.S. when I was 8 years with my late mother and 3 siblings for education. My mother had limited English ability so we spoke only mandarin at home, that’s how I’ve kept up my fluency and am so thankful for it. Read more>>

Xingyao(Shira) Wu | Game Designer & Creative Technologist

I am a game designer and creative technologist from China. I believe stories are transformative through multiple media, and I seek to explore how ‘play’ forms beyond screens. Starting in 2018, I dived into interactive media while studying Digital Media Technology at the Communication University of China, where I realized I yearned for more than just creating games for entertainment; Read more>>

Irene Chung | Published Illustrator & Designer

I was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. My parents are both in the arts, so I was exposed to art quite early. Looking back, I miss the early 2000s when we didn’t have as much media entertainment compared to nowadays. Instead, I was enrolled in various after-school arts, crafts, and sports classes to develop my interests. Read more>>

Breen Ruiz | Visual Artist, Graphic Designer and Graffiti Artist

I was an only child for 8 years. Daughter of the most tender, desperate, punctual, and fun woman, and daughter of a loving, hardworking, and creative father. These two people, young and inexperienced with children, made me a spoiled child: they filled me with love, affection, and lots of care. At the same time, I also grew up full of fears and insecurities. Read more>>