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.

Evan Moses | Photographer based out of Los Angeles

I am from Glendale, which is the area I’ve lived my whole life. I came from a good family background, where my mom helped both my brother and I with meeting new people, creating a village of people that belong in our inner circle, and going on adventures with us to explore parts of Los Angeles. That emotional support and affection my mom brought to us helped me become someone who is willing to explore creatively and discover artists and humble individuals who appreciate me for who I am. Read more>>

Guy Holmes III | Content Creator | Dancer | Designer

I’m from Fairfield, CA but I grew up in other city’s across Northern California. Being from Fairfield has taught me a lot. I’ve lost friends to gun violence and jail and it made me appreciate life and friendships a lot more growing up. To this day I nurture my relationships with people because you never know what’s going to happen. Read more>>

Johnny Baca | Director | Writer

I’m from Dallas, TX. My upbringing was very suburban life up until a point. When I was 12 my parents divorced. From there there were a lot of struggles but from that point on helped shape me into the man I am today. Watching my mom work 2,3 jobs to keep us going, I adopted that work ethic and taught me independence. My brother and I making our own dinners, chicken and rice bay bay. Read more>>

Aishwarya Haldankar | Filmmaker, Writer/Director

I’m from Mumbai, India. Growing up in an education driven country, I always believed the conventional method of learning was not really my cup of tea. I was inclined more towards being athletic, playing soccer and basketball from an early age and even taking part in track events at my school. Advancing further into high school, I learned a lot about myself going through an existential crisis of sorts, became more and more sure about where I would want to see myself in the future. I’ve always thought of myself to be the main character of my own story, not really fitting into any stereotypical cliques. Read more>>

Adrienne Kinsella | Fine Artist & Educator

I grew up on the Westside of Los Angeles. My mother’s family lived in the area for five generations, and my father is a descendant of the Tongva, native to the LA region. This makes for some deep roots in the area. The ocean has been a constant in my life, along with all the local hiking trails and sites of the city. I am a forever tourist in Los Angeles, always excited to find new corners I haven’t yet explored. Read more>>

Shreyans Zaveri | Author/Producer/ Editor

I was born and grew up in Mumbai, India. I grew up in a big family environment. Surrounded by a lot of love and support. So for me that aspect just came naturally. Being a part of a team and building a team is something I do naturally. I cannot understand or conform to corporate structures. For me it’s always smaller closely knit teams. I feel like this quality has really helped me to make friends, build a network and work closely with amazing teammates. Read more>>

Anabel Inigo | Director & Writer

I’m originally from Miami, Florida. More specifically, the Hialeah area – and I feel like the culture in Hialeah is so specific to Cuban Miami culture that it made me miss that version of myself when I moved away. Leaving the place you called home for most of your life feels so freeing until you realize that half of your identity is based on places and experiences that can only be had in those neighborhoods back home. So once I left, I decided the best way to stay authentic and feel like the best version of myself was to always keep my Miami-ness alive. Read more>>

Robert Frank | Audio Engineer, Producer, Musician

I was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, the city of El Monte to be exact, a suburb just east of Los Angeles. There were a lot of kids in our neighborhood, my older brother and the guys his age were getting into the heavier rock bands of the day. I was soon listening to Sabbath, Kiss, Zeppelin and such by the time I was around 5 years old. I was hooked on music since then, plus my grandparents were musicians, I was always surrounded by music. Read more>>

ALEXIS KEMP | Executive Chef/Owner of So Divine Catering

I was born in Flint, Michigan. My teenage parents drove here to LA with me when I was a toddler. My father was a musician (lead singer & guitar player). My mom worked in medical billing. My mom was the logical one. Organized yet creative. Seemed to do everything all while dressing so chic & trendy. My father was a whimsical character and always made himself the center of attention. My parents would shoot music videos in our house. And had monthly garage sales with antique furniture & other items. Read more>>