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.

Heejai Park | Graphic designer & Creative Technologist

I was born and raised in South Korea, where I spent several years studying fine arts and drawing before moving to the U.S. to study graphic design at ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles. My background in fine arts taught me to observe the world in detail and develop a strong foundation in aesthetics, which deeply influences my design approach today. Read more>>

Navi Schiff | Photographer

Growing up in Yosemite California I fell in love with nature. That’s when I started to document my surroundings and take inspiration from great photographer masters such as Ansel Adams whose work not only put our great national parks on the map but also allowed many to see photography as more of an art form. Read more>>

Maria Smal | Actor & Writer

I’m a 1st Generation kid who grew up in Nebraska – and I’m sure that this fact alone answers equally as many questions about me as it raises. There is a sort of universality to the whole “child-of-immigrants experience” that we all share: the bad habit of repressing your culture to “fit in” among your peers, the hyper-independence you develop as you step into the unspoken role of Advisor/Translator/Cultural Liaison for your parents, and the nearly suffocating pressure of achieving success and repaying your parents for all the sacrifices they made for you. Because when it’s all said and done, Their American Dream is Your American Dream. But that shouldn’t be too hard! Read more>>

Helen Rossy | Photographer

I’m originally from Ukraine, but after nine years in the United States, this vibrant country has become my second home. Growing up, I was surrounded by traditions and strong family bonds that shaped my outlook on life. In Ukraine, photographs were treasures—snapshots of love and life that held generations together. Those memories stayed with me, and they guide my work as a photographer today. Read more>>

Martin Baker | 88. DJ, Radio Host, Event and Music Producer

Hey my name is Martin Baker, I DJ under the alias “88.’ I was born and raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. Being of caribbean descent in a majority african american neighborhood while also growing up in 1990’s NYC, it was almost impossible to not be impacted by the arts, music and culture that existed and dominated the city as soon as I walked outside of the door. I knew music was my thing from a very early age, i attached onto it as soon as it was introduced to me. My parents were apart of those Columbia House CD clubs back in the day, the 20 CD’s for 19.99 clubs, I was exposed to everything from hip-hop, r&b, dancehall, reggae & jazz and from there I started developing my own tastes for what I like. Read more>>

Michelle Mejia | Dancer and Model

I am a Salvadoran-American woman born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles. I also grew up in Pico Union—huge shoutout to my Central American community! Being from these neighborhoods has tremendously shaped how I carry myself every day and how I navigate the world. South Central and Pico Union radiate community and culture at every turn. There is never a dull moment in our city, and that constant inspiration motivates me to represent where I come from. Read more>>

Darren Hawkins | Entrepreneur & Videographer

Growing up in Inglewood, CA, I was surrounded by influences that could have easily pulled me in the wrong direction. Gang culture was always present, and it shaped my perspective on life early on—reminding me how easy it could be to get caught up in a lifestyle that leads nowhere. But what kept me grounded was my family. Their love and constant support gave me the structure I needed to stay on the right path. They believed in me when things got tough and made sure I knew that I had a bigger purpose. Read more>>

Edgar Angel | Content Creator

I am born and raised in Los Angeles, CA from Mexican parents. This has shaped me to become the person I am today as my parents taught me that nothing is handed to you for free. I saw them demonstrate that if you want something you have to work for it. There are no shortcuts and hacks to accomplish your goals other than to go after them. It lead me to be focused and determined to work hard and create content that is the best quality it can be for my audience and keep making that better every video. Living in Los Angeles, the city of dreams, is motivating in itself seeing the potential to succeed that drives me to want to level up. Read more>>

Nikolina Terhune | Content Creator

I am from Serbia – a small country in Eastern Europe. I lost my mom when I was 5, so my main role models were my grandma and my dad.
Growing up in a European household taught me a lot of valuable lessons and definitely shaped me into the person I am today. My grandma, who is the pillar of our family, always kept us together with her unconditional love and delicious, traditional meals. She taught me to be kind and strong and my dad, who is a business owner, instilled in me ambition and entrepreneurial spirit. Growing up in a European family also taught me to be a perfectionist, to always set high standards for myself, and to keep pushing forward. Read more>>

Tsubasa Sano | Japanese Tea Instructor & Hosted Mobile Teahouse ”Engawa Kissa”

I’m originally from Japan. It’s little bit rare in my generation, I grown up with a family included grandparents. I could get some traditional habits directly and naturally. One of them is tea time. Having tea many times per day is natural whole my life. Read more>>

Amanda Chitarra | Singer, Music Teacher, and Baker

Hello, my name is Amanda Chitarra. I’m an Indonesian singer, music teacher, and baker currently based in Pasadena, CA. Alongside my work in music, I run a licensed home bakery called Gulung Bakehouse, where I create unique roll cakes decorated with traditional Indonesian patterns, bringing a taste of my heritage to each design. Read more>>

Kristen Herrington | Artist, Podcaster, Gallery Owner

Growing up in a small farming community in rural Nova Scotia was a life marked by simplicity, but it came with moments that profoundly shaped who I am today. I remember one late night when our neighbor called to share the exciting news that one of his cows was giving birth. He asked if we’d like to come over and watch, and as kids, we eagerly jumped at the chance. That night, witnessing a new life enter the world, the farmer decided to name the calf “Kristen” in my honor. It’s funny, but even now as an urban adult, the memory fills me with a unique kind of pride, connecting my roots to my present. It’s a reminder of where I came from, even as I embraced dreams beyond our town of fewer than a hundred people. I’d sit on our shag-carpeted stairs, pretending they were the seats of a New York City subway, daydreaming about life in places that felt impossibly distant. Read more>> 

Cameron Dantley | Photographer

My background 1,000% played an enormous role in making me who I am today. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. My mom and dad raised my sister, brother, and me with tons of love and support. They instilled in us that we can do whatever we put our minds to, you just have to really work for it. They would also tell us things like “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” and that’s something I still try to carry with me to this day. No matter who I come in contact with, I try to leave them with a positive experience. You never know what people are going through, and you might be the only positive light they encounter that day. Read more>>

Josh Almonte | Wedding Photographer

I grew up with a huge family— with 9 siblings and too many cousins to keep track of. Family has always been a significant part of my life and I couldn’t have asked for anything else. I’m so grateful to have so many people around me to support my dreams, endeavors, or photography. Growing up like this has taught me so much about collaboration, the value of relationships, and how to support others. This became especially apparent when my mom passed away in high school and everyone in my family supported each other, even stepping up to take care of me since I was still young at the time. However, after this experience and as the 9th sibling out of 10, I often had to fend for myself throughout hardship and make the most out of every situation—I was forced to be independent, resourceful, and adaptable.  Read more>>

Koto Hiro | Professional Wrestler

I was born and raised in the peaceful town of Shizuoka, Japan. I suddenly moved to Los Angeles when I was about 12, as my mother wanted to distance us from my father, who was a Yakuza boss.  I came to the U.S without a word of English. I had to quickly adapt to a new foreign culture, make foreign friends – which made it difficult for me to find my place. Read more>>

Emma Young | Actor, Director, & Musician

You could say I have the classic story of a small town girl moving to the big city to be an actress. However, as everything in life, it is not so simple or small. I grew up in a cow town in Massachusetts. I had a big backyard and my friends and I would spend all our free time playing in the woods, or begging our parents to take us to the mall/movie theater the next town over. My parents worked long hours in the city about 40min south, so I had an abundance of alone time and space to let my imagination run as wild and loud as the swamp outside my window. (It’s important here to note that I didn’t have internet or a cell phone until I was a preteen.) Read more>>

Angie Reid | Executive Producer, Actress, Writer/Creator

I grew up in the projects as the youngest of three kids. Life wasn’t easy—my parents didn’t have enough income to fully support my dreams and talents, but that didn’t stop me. I found ways to express myself through gymnastics, dancing, and participating in school dramatic shows. Those creative outlets became my escape and my voice. Read more>>

Joren Engbers | Senior Product Designer in tech

My name is Joren, and I’m a 29-year-old creative based in Amsterdam. Although Amsterdam is where I currently live, my heart has always been drawn to California—especially Los Angeles. My fascination with LA started when I was young. I wasn’t the smartest or most social kid in school and faced health challenges that made it hard to keep up. I often felt out of place, struggling to understand why we were taught things I had no interest in, like French in high school. I was searching for something that made sense to me, something I could be passionate about. Read more>>