There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Mary Kate Chapman | Dancer, Choreographer, & Creative

I was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri and I’m extremely grateful for every individual that has helped guide me down the path that I’m currently heading towards today. When I was a little girl my mother thought I was an spirited child. She believed ballet class would be the perfect place for me to learn some discipline and at two years old, I discovered the perfect outlet to let out all that energy. Read more>>

Mayara Lopes | Content Creator & Writer

I’m originally from Sao Paulo. Brazil. When I first move to this country I came with every Brazilian’s mentally, I’d get a house cleaner job and save money so I can afford to bring my son to live with me. After a year cleaning houses I’ve decided that I deserved better, so my husband and I packed our bags, sold my cleaning company and moved to Los Angeles. I went to makeup school and hated, I wanted to be in front of the camera! Read more>>

Erika Levy | Singer-songwriter

I grew up in Long Beach, California, surfing, cruising around with my dog, and wanting to be an artist. My father is an artist and woodworker and my mother has a background in music (piano being her main instrument) so it’s no surprise that after many years of piano lessons and being surrounded by creatives, I started writing my songs. Every piece of furniture in our house was made by my dad, and a lot of it is pretty whimsical and psychedelic. When I look back it was like growing up in a wonderland. Read more>>

Brennan Keel Cook | Actor

I grew up in Orange County, California in a safe, comfy city called Mission Viejo. I gotta give thanks to my sister, Tara, for nearly forcing my hand to join the high school drama program after failing to make any of the sports teams I tried out for. She told me I’d make friends so I took a crack at it and that’s where my appetite for performance really began. I fell in love with it. After graduating, I joined the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and studied Theatre Arts at San Francisco State University. Read more>>

Phil Stark | Therapist & Author

I drove from Texas to Los Angeles in the mid 1990s. My goal was to become a screenwriter. I worked in cafes and wrote spec scripts until I got a production assistant job on South Park, and then was able to parlay that into a shot at writing an episode. That credit got me an interview on That ’70s Show, which ran for 8 seasons. During the first season I wrote the script for Dude, Where’s My Car?, which was released in the winter of 2000. I continued to write movies and television pilots, but none were produced. Read more>>

Alexandria Mattox | Music Brand Partnerships

I’m from Southwest Atlanta– the city of affluent black people and music that has redefined the culture of hip hop. I was raised around success and strong family ties to entrepreneurship. My family founded Believers Bible Christian Church on Campbellton Rd., and my involvement in the church was my first introduction to my sense of community and business. From grocery distribution every Saturday to serving in youth ministry, I knew that in my career I wanted to pursue something that could bring communities together. Read more>>

Wicked Witch | Rock Star

I’m from Brooklyn New York, and I was raised in the hood area of Brooklyn, surrounded by drug dealers, robbers, police, and hustlers. as a kid I always wanted to do music and inspire the world. At school during lunchtime me and my friends would rap, and after school, we would play sports and create music. My life was influenced by my father. He taught me to be respectful work hard and be a gentleman. I appreciate all the difficulties that have made me a tough person because it shape me into the person I am today. Read more>>