Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

David Duong | CEO/Founder of Here We Are (HWA) Construction

I’m David Duong, founder and CEO of Here We Are (HWA) Construction. I was raised in Santa Ana/Garden Grove in Orange County. I grew up building houses with my dad at a very young age. There’s even a photo of me cutting tile at six years old. Funny enough, we were building the house I eventually grew up in, and it was my dad’s first property as an immigrant from Vietnam. It was tough work, and I vowed to not follow his footsteps—but “Here We Are”, proof that life has its own plans. Read more>>

Louise Yunju Chen | Cinematographer

I was born and raised in Taichung, Taiwan. Taiwan is a country that embraces diverse cultures. Growing up in a society where people maintain close relationships and treat each other kindly has shaped my deep concern for people.

My first foray into filmmaking began in high school, sparked by a competition focused on gender equality. Armed with nothing but a rented DV camera, I embarked on a solo mission – scripting, shooting, and editing a film. It was here that I discovered the power of visual narrative, the ability of a sequence of images to convey profound ideas, making a lasting impact on the viewer. This experience marked the beginning of my journey in filmmaking. Read more>>

Tyrone Apostol | DJ/EMCEE Business owner

I’m from the Valley, Van Nuys to be exact, and my love for music started at a very young age. It began with me borrowing my brother’s Walkman while he was away at school, listening to all his cassettes. Every morning, as soon as he left, I’d run to his room, pop in a tape, put on the headphones, and instantly feel joy. Music was always playing in my life—before school, after school, or anytime I was in the car. The station didn’t matter; I just loved the way music made me feel. Read more>>

Ethan Leisie | Director, Cinematographer, Producer

So my upbringing was a bit different than most people’s; to be honest, nothing really in my life has been standard. I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania kind of like where the suburbs and the country meet. My mom was a pre-k Teacher, and my dad was an Aircraft mechanic who bounced back and forth between the civilian airlines and active duty orders with the Air National Guard. My parents are very creative people. They were owner-builders, so I grew up surrounded by construction. Swinging hammers and digging holes, chopping wood and building things. A construction site seems dangerous, but it’s actually a lot for fun for a kid. Things are constantly changing; you get to see construction equipment up close. Read more>>

Camille Stemmons | Photographer + Graphic Designer

I’m from Los Angeles—specifically Pasadena, where it is full of people, diverse with different cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. In school, we all listened to a lot of the same music, watched the latest movies and music videos, enjoyed many of the same foods, and abided by similar social codes. I had several groups of friends that were into different things, which helped shape my perspective on art, music, and culture. I completely immersed myself in dance, acting, singing, playing in the orchestra, and participating in the marching band throughout my elementary and high school years. Read more>>

Emile Martinez | Artist, Songwriter, Composer, Producer, Trumpeter, Educator, Band Leader, Business Owner,

Being Black and Puerto Rican, born in Los Angeles and raised between Los Angeles and New York City, his story is one of resilience and rhythm. With parents who grew up in the Bronx during the 1950s, his upbringing was as rich in culture as it was in challenges.
His mother, an African American woman, and his father, a Puerto Rican man, brought him into the world late in their lives—at 38 and 45, respectively. Theirs was a generation of baby boomers who lived through some of America’s most defining decades. That experience gave them a deep-seated resolve and an unwavering commitment to values: integrity, empathy, kindness, and love. It was these lessons they sought to pass on, though life often made their methods harsh. Read more>>

Arabella Reece | Special Events Manager – Sony Pictures Entertainment

I grew up in Temecula, CA with my 2 parents and my twin brother. I had a great childhood and I kept busy from a young age with a jam-packed extracurricular schedule. I was always involved in clubs and sports, usually multiple at once. My parents always encouraged me to try new things. They were, and still are, firm believers that I could succeed in anything if I worked hard enough. I eventually turned my main focus to academics and running, going on to run in college and becoming the first ever female runner from Chapman University to compete at Nationals for Cross Country! I still kept some passion projects on the side such as music to maintain a sense of creativity and balance. Read more>>