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.

Bella V. Pilli

I’m from São Paulo, Brazil, and I truly believe my background has everything to do with who I am today.
I was lucky to grow up in a creative household—my mom was an artist, and so was my sister. My parents were always my biggest supporters, encouraging me to explore my interests from a young age. Read More>> 

Camil Téllez

I was born in Santiago, Chile, and I am originally from the municipality of Puente Alto. Part of my family still lives there or nearby. Santiago is a huge city, but the area where I come from always made it easier for me to get closer to the mountains, to minerals, and also to trees. I spent much of my childhood climbing them. I think the geography and the particular conditions of that natural environment have left a strong impression on me. A kind of spatial and bodily memory that is very strong. Read More>> 

Greg Slagel

Oklahoma, New Jersey, Nebraska, Texas. I started college as a frat guy at a party school, but ended as a prominent nerd at a university for brainiacs. I spent my twenties producing animation in Texas before deciding to pivot into writing and art. Read More>> 

Shajuan ‘Desean’ Newson

I’m from Dallas, Texas — a city that’s as raw and vibrant as it is tough and unrelenting. Growing up there, I wasn’t just surrounded by stories, I lived them. I saw ambition collide with struggle, dreams spark in the middle of real-life turbulence, and I learned early that you can’t just want something — you have to fight for it. Read More>> 

Mikaella Marquez

I was born in the Philippines and came to California when I was 3. As a kid, a core memory of mine was living in different apartment complexes and cities within California — briefly, the Bay Area, but mainly the IE and LA County.

My family and I were always heavily involved in our respective Filipino and church communities, so who I am today was formed by a crazy blend of people and places, and so many hours on the internet. In all areas of my life—I was constantly being surrounded by music and was always encouraged to put on my best performance. These experiences also taught me compassion and service to people at a young age, which have been constants throughout my life. Read More>> 

Marco Pelusi

I’m originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where my family has had a chain of salons for over fifty years. My incredible good fortune growing up with this influencing me has definitely impacted my career today. My Uncle and my Dad are amazing role models! Read More>> 

Elijah Beauford

I’m from Aurora, Colorado, and was raised in a very dynamic, multifaceted household — with a single mom, later married, and also a single father in the picture. Growing up in such a diverse environment shaped me in many ways.

In school, I was very foolish at first and had only a 1.7 GPA. But when I transitioned from living with my mother to living with my father, everything changed — my GPA jumped to a 4.2 almost overnight. I come from a very pressed background, but my foundation has always been rooted in God, and I’ve always felt called to help my community. Read More>>