Through our work we have had the good fortune of seeing firsthand how success comes in every shape, size, color, faith, and orientation. More importantly we’ve learned that success is often the result of people embracing their unique backgrounds and so we’ve asked the community to tell us about their background and how it has impacted where they are today.

Alice Macedo | Singer/Songwriter and Music Business

I’m Alice, originally from the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. My upbringing in the rich culture of my country made me develop a deep passion for music from a young age, and at just six years old, I was already performing, singing, and writing my silly little songs. Read more>> 

Elena Yejin Gim | Costume Designer, Illustrator, Concept Artist

I’m from Seoul, South Korea. Growing up, I loved watching TV shows. Since I was an infant, my parents would play English content in the background, and I enjoyed it. They told me I would wake up at 5 am to watch the video and chant along. My parents knew the importance of learning a new language outside of their mother tongue because I had an uncle who did his master’s and PhD in the United States in the 70s. Read more>>

Torrence BRANNONReese | Artist/Educator/Social Justice Advocate /

I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and at an early age, I was exposed to a dynamic culture, that informs who I am and what I contribute to this day. New Orleans, in my humble opinion, is the most culturally, and historically rich city in America, and in many ways, is responsible for America developing as a major nation in this world. Read more>>

Evelin Danko | Artist

First of all, I come from an art loving family. Growing up, our home was filled with creativity and expression. My parents always encouraged me to explore different forms of art, from painting to sculpture. This nurturing environment helped shape my passion for visual storytelling and design. Read more>>

Kathy Goodin | SAG-AFTRA Actor

I grew up in Louisville, KY, raised by a single parent for most of my formative years. My mom worked tirelessly to provide for us, ensuring we always had a roof over our heads. Despite our financial struggles, we persevered with the support of our extended family. Read more>> 

Sofia Storti | Artist

As far back as I can remember, my parents always made sure to surround my brother and I with our heritage and culture. Growing up in South Florida was also a melting pot. I always felt a deep rooted connection to my culture thanks to my parents. Read more>>

Magdalena Air | Vocalist, composer, arranger, music producer

I come from Nysa, a small town in Poland. I’ve always been passionate about music, therefore I began my education with keyboard lessons at the age of 8. At 11, I started my classical training in the local music school pursuing flute for 4 years and classical singing for another 4 years. Read more>>

Shayda

I am from the Greater Boston Area, and I am immensely proud and fortunate to have been raised in Massachusetts. We value education, and rank one of the highest states in the nation. I wouldn’t be who I am today without the ways in which I was taught. Read more>>  

Dr. Dayanara ( Dr. Day) Thompson, DC | Holistic Doctor of Chiropractic

I am a San Francisco native of Guatemalan and Jamaican descent, and I spent part of my childhood in Guatemala. My diverse cultural heritage and upbringing have profoundly shaped who I am today. Growing up, I became acutely aware of the disparities within the healthcare system, particularly affecting BIPOC individuals. Read more>>

Juanita Castro-Ochoa | Actress

Being an immigrant has shaped my art and who I am immensely. I was born in Bogota, Colombia and half raised in South Florida. I moved to the US when I was eleven and since I moved I feel like I am no longer from any where, I feel Colombian more than anything but back home I am not Colombian enough and here in the states I will always be the outsider, the immigrant with an accent. Read more>>

Ilona Shtanko | Fashion Merchandiser & Business Management

I’m Ilona Shtanko, and I’m thrilled to share my journey with you. Growing up in the beautiful city of Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the third generation of a Deaf family. I fell head over heels for fashion at a young age. Despite facing challenges as a Deaf person in a society with its fair share of barriers, I pushed my way into the world of style, dreaming of a career in fashion. Read more>>

Rylee Axner | Reiki Practitioner, Writer/Director, Post Producer

I grew up in Cleveland & Columbus Ohio. For me, religion was at the forefront of my life. I really didn’t mind going to church when I was younger. I was a pretty obedient and well behaved kid. Believe it or not, religion was one of my favorite subjects because it answered a lot of the whys I was asking about reality. Read more>>

Faizan Bazmee | Director and Writer

Coming from the vibrant city of Mumbai, known as the ‘City of Dreams’ and the beating heart of the Bollywood industry. I found my passion for filmmaking at a very young age when I saw my father work in this industry and create many incredible films. Read more>>

GenXCore

I am a third generation SoCal native, raised primarily in Huntington Beach, and have lived in the Hollywood area (mostly) since my early 20s. My formative years were the late 70s, early 80s. I was raised by a single mother, and we were very poor (rolls and rolls of blue food stamps in our home). Read more>> 

Dale Alexander | Marketing Consultant

Im from the Caribbean, a small country in Central America called Belize to be exact. I moved to Los Angeles permanently after category 5 hurricane called “Mitch” in 1999. Y2K was the thing at the time and the world was partying hard. Technology was a constant in conversation at the time. Read more>>

Hi Jackson | Culture shifter

I am from Texas. It has everything to do with my sound, my beliefs and my will, I’m an old soul with southern roots, a southern gentleman, and a hard working man. That’s how I was raised. It’s what I know. Read more>>

Wei Yang Chen | Film Director

Before becoming an LA-based filmmaker in the United States, I am originally from Taipei, Taiwan. My background is in philosophy and calligraphy, and it subconsciously changes the way I see the world and the taste I have in making a movie. Read more>>

Lynette Johnson | Administrative Efficiency Expert, Writer, Editor, Proofreader & Actor

I hail from a small farming community in Central California. My parents were raised in Oklahoma and Missouri and when the Dust Bowl and Great Depression (The Grapes of Wrath era) hit, both sets of grandparents (one a tenant farmer and the other a butcher) thought that California would be the answer, so they moved their families across the country in hopes of a better future. Read more>>

Flor Crosta | Photographer

I’m from Uruguay, I grew up in Montevideo, the capital city but was living in Punta del Este, a small town by the ocean, before moving to United States. Growing up in such a small country as Uruguay, surrounded with family and friends, let me to my interest in other cultures. Read more>>  

Jessica Hooks | Aspiring Illustrator & Artist

During my upbringing in South L.A., residing with my mom and grandmother, I developed a keen interest in drawing. I was influenced by the books I read and the programs I watched but also growing up in a creative environment. My mother works as a Pattern Maker in the Fashion Industry. Read more>>