Even if you are from the same neighborhood as someone else, you might still be coming from different places. Where you are from is a complicated question and it elicits complicated, but interesting and thought-provoking responses. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Nallely Palma | Professional Face Painter/ Artist

I was born in Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan in Mexico. My family is from a small island called Pico del Monte , Guerrero about 2 hours from Acapulco. I lived in Mexico city until I was 7 years old with my Father, Mother, Brother and Sister. That’s when my father had earned enough money working here in the US to be able to pay for our “coyote” to cross the border and be reunited with him after being separated for a year.  Read more>>

Sarah Liriano Alba | Experience Design & Storyteller

I’m from the Dominican Republic. Specifically, from the capital, Santo Domingo. I grew up, along with my younger sister, in a household where my mother was single and the primary breadwinner. I had many female role models that taught me a lot about what it means to be successful; my mother and my aunts raised me to understand hard work, perseverance and dedication. Read more>>

Shannon Sanon | Tea Party Host & Chef

I am from a small farm town called Salters in South Carolina. We did not have the luxury of many things like cable TV, super markets and gas stations; however, we had values and morales. I grew up on a large piece of land, down a mile long dirt road. We owned a pig pen. Read more>>

Sayak Das | Recording Artist / Producer / Songwriter

I moved around a lot when I was a toddler but I ended up growing up in Columbus, Ohio. Being raised in the Midwest naturally introduced me to a lot of the local hardcore music scenes in the area. I’m the first in my family to be born in the US, so I grew up in an environment that straddled my cultural background (India) and US culture. Read more>>

Samantha Harte | Dr Samantha Harte | Author & Physical Therapist

I’m from Brooklyn, NY, so I was born a truth teller. I was also brought up in a very chaotic home which of course shaped how I saw the world. My parents were unhappily married, my mother was having an affair, my father was an enabler for her prescription pill addiction, and my sister was experimenting with sex and drugs. Read more>>

Nathan Alviar | Photographer/Videographer

I am from Fresno, ca born and raised my background and upbringing affected who I am today because of the trails and tribulations I’ve been through growing up. I have seen a lot of things that really shaped who I am today. I’ve seen the good and the bad.  Read more>>

Alexa Babin | Writer & Artist

I was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, a place that I’m convinced you can only fully understand if you’ve lived there. There’s just something about southern cities and towns. They leave a mark on you, especially if you were raised there. The hospitality and warm soul of my home is definitely ingrained in me – I love hosting and swapping stories with people in a laid back setting. My parents are due a ton of credit here. Read more>>

Triston Seltzer | Aspiring Artist

I was born just east of Atlanta, Georgia. I come from a broken home, and spent most of my childhood couch surfing around town. My parents were never married and did not have the happy american family we all know and want. We survived off of food stamps and government assistance, and could never steer away from cps.  Read more>>

Jim Trotta Davis (Suburbanoid) | Music composer-artist/Sound meditation facilitator

I was born in Queens, NY. My family had a lot to do with me getting into music. My grandfather played multiple instruments and my Dad played a little guitar. I started playing on my grandparent’s piano around 9 years old and also played on guitars around the house. I got my first electric guitar when I was around 12 years. Read more>>

April Bredael | Content Creator and Music Industry Professional

I’m originally from a really small town in northeastern Wisconsin. About a year and a half ago I graduated from college and moved to Brooklyn, NY to pursue a career in music and entertainment. Growing up in an area virtually void of music business had a tremendous impact on my career, despite not knowing it at the time. Beginning in middle school, I was always begging my mom to drive me hours away to the nearest routing city for one show or another.  Read more>>

Dr. Christina Soibatian | Clinical & Community Psychologist

Growing up in Los Angeles as the daughter of Armenian immigrants, I was deeply influenced by my family’s migration story and the resilience they demonstrated in the face of adversity. From an early age, I learned about the trauma my grandparents endured during the Armenian Genocide and my parents struggles with acculturation in the U.S.  Read more>>

Jalen Thomas | DJ & Producer

I am proudly born and raised in Philadelphia! Growing up in this city, with its diverse cultures and backgrounds all intermingling, has majorly influenced my journey. It’s shaped my career in significant ways, enabling me to connect with a wide array of individuals in unique ways. Read more>>

Joseph Vanporppal | Videographer & Photographer

I was raised my whole life in a small city called Paramount in LA county. I currently now stay in the city of Hawthorne. It all started from taking a video production class in high school when i was 16, fell in love with capturing video and did some video/photo projects with some of my friends. Read more>>

Rushikesh Bhadane | Director Cinematographer

I am from the serene town of Nashik, India, affectionately known as the country’s wine capital. Growing up in a traditional household steeped in conservative values, my early aspirations in theater, dance and music were met with skepticism. Viewed merely as ‘extra-curricular’ pursuits rather than a viable career path. Read more>>

Amanda Liu | Graphic Designer & Visual Communicator

Growing up in China, my passion for art and creativity started at a young age. From early on, I enjoyed drawing and creating, which laid the foundation for my journey into graphic design. This childhood interest shaped my educational path and ultimately influenced who I am today. Read more>>

CHUCK WRIGHT | Platinum Recording Artist • Bassist/ Songwriter• Record Producer • Founder of Ultimate Jam Night • Event Coordinator • Graphic Designer

I’m the original “Valley Dude” having moved to the San Fernando Valley from San Diego at age 5. Seriously, I truly believe I would have had a life in the military after 8 years of military school had I not joined a band at 15 and started playing the Sunset Strip and other L.A. clubs. I was in 3 bands at the same time in 1981 and one of them became the band that changed the music scene from New Wave Pop to Long-haired Rock. Read more>>

Qirui Liu | UX Product Designer

Originating from China and enriched by an undergraduate exchange program, my journey has been a fusion of cultural experiences. Settling in the USA for my master’s degree and career in design, I’ve embraced a path that marries my artistic inclinations with a passion for science. Read more>>

Camille Edwards | Entertainment Lawyer and Ceremonialist

I grew up in Marin County, CA, where I spent my free time hiking through Redwood forests and foraging wild blackberries. My parents instilled in me and my sister a deep awareness for the powerful medicine of nature and the need to integrate it into our lives. Read more>>

Stephanie Ruiz | Writer

I’m originally from a small, Hallmark-like town in New Jersey called Haddonfield (If you’re a rom-com fan like me, you’ll know it as the place Harry says he’s from in When Harry Met Sally), but I don’t think I’ve ever had a straight answer to this question. I spent my early childhood in Haddonfield, but a few years into elementary school, my family moved to Austin, TX, Houston a few years later, and then eventually settled in Los Angeles shortly into my high school career. Read more>>

HANNAH IGNACIO | Director & Director of Photography

Hi! I’m Hannah Ignacio, a Filipino-American cinematographer and director from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. From a young age, creating stop motion-animations, skits, and music videos were avenues to express my creativity. Read more>>

Emma Neveux | Co-founder of The Kumo Collective, Head of A&R, Artist Management and Event departments

I am music enthusiast with a global footprint as I’ve had the chance to travel almost all around the world. My journey in the music industry has been as diverse and very enriching. Having lived in dynamic cities like Paris, London, Melbourne, Valencia, and Los Angeles, my exposure to varied cultures has significantly shaped my music taste and practice.  Read more>>