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.

Alfred Nomad | Hip Hop Artist / Community Organizer / Writer

I was born in D.C., and by the time I was 10 years old, I had lived in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York. My mother, sister, and I moved to Indianapolis when I was 11, and I consider that place to be where I was raised. I grew up in a family-oriented environment, where I always had family around and someone available to support me. I am grateful for this blessing and know that it has shaped who I am today. Moving around a lot made me focus on building relationships with people more than places and made me less attached to things. It also fueled my curiosity to see more of the world and seek out opportunities in different places. I believe these experiences have taught me the importance of fostering community and being of service in my life. Read more>>

Isa Antonetti | Singer, Actor, Performer

I was raised in Rochester, New York to a big Latinx family. My parents are both musicians and singers, as are most of my relatives, and my family has a Latin band. Growing up surrounded by music and an extended family that was always around, I developed an incredible support system and a love for singing. Family has always been what I can count on and the work they have put into me and my future keeps me motivated to succeed not only for myself but everyone in my life. My father played and produced with many Latin artists, which introduced me to the music industry. I began on that path and eventually did my first musical in high school. When I got the opportunity to sing, act, and dance, I knew that was where my passion lay and I’ve been on stage and on screen ever since! Read more>>

Lisa Caldwell-Meeks | Chief Excitement Officer of The NOW Massage South Bay

I was born and raised in Palm Springs, California to an immigrant mother from the Philippines and a blue-eyed Irish and German father, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. My single mother — worked as a live-in maid. My father, found work as the only white gardener in the Coachella Valley in the 1980s. They both instilled in me determination, resilience, a tenacious work ethic, and the importance of living a life of service. At the age of 6, my father Rex Nevins, planted an entrepreneurial seed. I opened my very first business “Rock Creations,” a table we’d set up every weekend at 5 in the morning, at a local flea market in Joshua Tree. I’d glue tiny pewter pieces to crystal slabs, price them, and nervously answer any questions customers had. Read more>>

Cody Tarantino | Intuitive Surrealist Artist

I was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Growing up, I had the opposite of helicopter parents with nearly too much freedom to explore whatever my heart desired. I have a naturally creative and abstract mind and with the freedom I was given, it allowed for me to spend ample time developing my interests and hobbies beyond what kids my age were doing. I never liked seeking out the help of others, so my development as an artist was formed out trial and error, experimentation and critical thinking rather than being told how things are supposed to be done. This has helped me learn and understand how to use the limitless expanse of the mind to create art to the best of my ability. Read more>>

Michael Uhlenkott | Graphic designer

I was born in Idaho but grew up in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles, California. I was an artistic child and very interested in the history of art. My creativity is still heavily influenced by historic styles and design from around the world. Read more>>