Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Joshua Beauchamp

Born in Miami, Dade County, and raised in New York, I am the eldest of four siblings. Growing up, music has always been an important part of my life. My father was a singer in a Haitian band named “U5,” which he and his best friend formed. They recorded many songs together. Every Friday night, he would have his band members come to the house to practice for a gig. You would always find me tiptoeing down there, curious about what was going on. Read More>>

Elena Musser

I am originally from a small town in Appalachian Ohio called Pomeroy. It has a population of ~1,500, and our courthouse is in the Guinness Book of World Records. I grew up with great parents who continuously challenged my brothers and me to learn and experience as much as possible. They willingly drove me to and from ballet class (which was 40 miles away), piano and voice lessons, theatre rehearsals, and other various extracurriculars almost every day of the week throughout adolescence. Read More>>

OSKAR SAX

“I’m originally from Catalonia, Spain, with a multicultural background — my mother is English and my father is Sicilian. That mix of cultures definitely shaped me early on, giving me a wide perspective and a deep love for art and expression. I picked up music when I was 8 years old, and it quickly became more than a hobby — it became my way of life. Read More>>

Solange Alexander

I was born and raised in Scarborough, and I’m Caribbean. Growing up Caribbean in Scarborough felt like a badge of honour. Being surrounded by so many different cultural backgrounds in that area taught me a lot about how to be an outstanding person. It shaped how I navigate the world today as a professional dancer. Read More>>

Hitoshi Masaki

I was born and raised in Tokyo, and everything changed the day I watched Rocky and Rocky II back-to-back. I was in junior high school, and something about Rocky’s “never give up” spirit lit a fire in me. I joined a boxing gym the next day and trained for eight years, aiming for the 1988 Olympics. But when I didn’t qualify, I had to ask myself: Now what? That’s when I realized—Rocky was a movie. His story inspired me not just because of the sport, but because of the power of storytelling. I decided I wanted to become an actor and inspire others the way that film inspired me. Read More>>