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.

Chidike John Nwankwo | Multi-Instrumentalist & Producer

I am from Riverside, California, and my background in music started in the church. There was a toy guitar I had that my 5 year old self played with the praise team every Saturday morning. Even though most of my notes didn’t match the music, it was an experience that paved the way for what was coming in the future. In my house I was taught perseverance, self-discipline, and hard work. Read more>>

Tannaz Alagheband | Psychotherapist and Mindfulness Practitioner

This is always a hard question for me to answer because I feel like I have lived two very different lives. I was born in California, raised in Tehran, Iran, and immigrated to California at the age of 17. I spent my formative years from age 3-17 in Tehran, Iran growing up with a big and loving extended family. Read more>>

Jeremy Palmer | Screenwriter

I was raised in Denver Colorado in a couple of lovely middle class areas. But it matters less where I was brought up then who brought me up because my family was just wholly supportive of all of their children’s pursuits. I was really the only creative Lee inclined child as my family was more of a sports family overall. Read more>>