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.

Olga Dieterle

I am a visual artist and photographer from Ukraine, born and raised in Donetsk, an eastern city that became a pivotal part of my story. When I finished high school, my city was occupied by Russia. I left and never returned. That moment reshaped my life and the trajectory of my work. Read More>>

Yufei Ma

I am from Zhengzhou, Henan , a city in central China, known primarily as a major railway hub where north-south and east-west lines intersect. Unlike historically rich cities in Henan, such as Luoyang and Kaifeng, which once served as ancient capitals, Zhengzhou’s identity is shaped more by its strategic location than by deep cultural roots. Read More>>

Drew Price

I grew up in a border town in southern New Mexico, raised by my father, my stepmother (who I will refer to as my mother from this point on as she raised me and I have not had a relationship with my biological mother since I was four years old), and her family. I consider them my family, and they embraced me fully and welcomed me into the family from the beginning. My grandfather immigrated from Mexico through the Bracero program when my mother was a child, and the community I grew up in reflected the bi-racial dynamic of our home—a mix of Mexican and white families, with Mexican households being the majority. Read More>>

Sophie Nau

I’m from Los Angeles, and I think that has impacted me greatly. I was fascinated by the city from a young age, appreciative of its diversity of experience and sense of wildness, and it has seeped into a lot of my writing. Though I’ve lived in New York and New Orleans, both cities I love and like to return to – and though I have that insatiable travel bug, I’m grateful to have this relationship to L.A. Read More>>

Solus The Happy Human

I grew up in Daly City, CA- then moved to Pittsburg in 6th grade. We moved from the city to the suburbs basically, and it impacted me by giving me an appreciation for both types of places. The city is full of culture and lessons to soak in- while the suburbs are like a blank canvas telling you to create your own culture and your own legacy. I had fun in both and it shaped me into who I am today. Read More>>

Monica Bhyrappa

I am from Chennai, India—a South Indian city in a country rich in culture, diversity, and resourcefulness. Growing up, I was constantly surrounded by creativity—whether it was the intricate patterns of rangoli during festivals, the handcrafted textiles in local markets, or the ingenious ways everyday objects were repurposed around me. This environment shaped my perspective on design and problem-solving in ways I didn’t fully realize until later. Read More>>

Inez Franco

I grew up in various parts of SouthEast LA—Pico Rivera, La Puente, and Pomona—before spending a few years in New York City and eventually making my way back to LA. Despite growing up so close to where movies were being made, I never met a filmmaker or saw a film set. My neighborhoods were all working-class, predominantly Latino, and the film industry felt like a distant world, even though it was just a few miles away. Read More>>