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.

Praboo Ariva | Editor & Filmmaker

I was born and raised in Melaka, Malaysia. I grew up in a multiracial neighborhood where my neighbors were of Indian, Chinese, Malay, and Eurasian descent. Due to that, I can converse in various languages like Mandarin, Malay, Tamil, Hindi, etc… It’s common for almost everyone at home to speak more than two languages. Read more>>

Ziwei Zoe Ouyang | Film/ TV production designer

I was originally from Beijing, China. As the capital of China, Beijing assumes the role of a political and cultural center, which treats foreigners and different cultures, Beijing always embrace everything, and it reflects Beijing’s inclusiveness. One-third of Beijing’s population is foreigners, which taught me to accept cultural diversity from an early age. Read more>>

Ana Kiri | Singer, Dancer & Artist

I’m from Kyiv, Ukraine. Thats where I was born and lived till I was 18 years old. Being Ukrainian, especially today, is the huge part of my identity and my identity as an artist. I opened up this topic in my latest single “Beat of Freedom”, which is a powerful and uplifting patriotic music piece about the struggle of Ukraine. Read more>>

Stephanie Aquino | Social Media Creator

I am from South Central Los Angeles, born and raised. Where I’m from definitely impacted who I am today, I have come across many people with different personalities, but one thing we all have in common is a sense of pride in our city. The way I walk, talk, carry myself, and dress is a representation of my neighborhood. Read more>>

Verena Mayer | Freelance Journalist

I’ve always had a strong and independent mind. Luckily, my parents always encouraged me and my siblings to try out new stuff, getting to know our selves, what we like, dislike, discovering our skills and passions. I always appreciated this – but it also left me searching, restless. I found it hard to decide what I want to do. Read more>>

Janet Kilonzo | Actor

I am from Nairobi, Kenya. I was raised there as well as England and Turkey. I come from a very colourful culture and having lived in multiple countries, I have been privileged to be able to embrace a broad perspective on many things in life. Read more>>

Martesha Haynes-Lagard | CEO/Founder

“TEXAS SIZE IMPACT”- Martesha Haynes-Lagard ” An Employee in the Aldine Independent School District, an Austin, Texas native, and Martesha Haynes-Lagard is also the CEO/founder of the Houston-based Social Good In Action Incorporated. Martesha grew up with a family that gave to anyone and everyone in the neighborhood. Read more>>