Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Meraj Sirajuddin
Ever since I was a child, I was fascinated with Cinema and wish to hold camera and take pictures and make Videos and here i’m. Read more>>
Shannon Long
Definitely, doing what I was born to do! As a child, I dreamed two things: One, that of being a teacher of young children. I help teach Sunday school and Children’s Church at New Testament Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri!!! Two, that of having my own business, which came true, when I started my JustSmileHempCreations business in Chico, California!! Read more>>
Marquise Butcher
Definitely walking in my path and purpose! God has a plan for me and I continue to move forward with confidence. Read more>>
Cole Adams
Recently I had the privilege of having my silly banana song called, ‘Savannah Banana,’ played at a Banana Ball game in front of a 44k sold out stadium show. As a big fan, it was a surreal moment that carried lots of humor, as it happened all while wearing a banana costume. Read more>>
Angela Clancy
My husband and I have recently restored a 1911 building and have opened a new businesses in the space. The building is directly across from our market and we would look at it everyday and dreamt of the possibilities ,for the last 10years. When it became available at auction we couldn’t help ourselves and we bought it! Our dream became a 2 year adventure. Read more>>
Heather Haymart
The art I make is created by the real me, and my art is public. As a vulnerable human, I am very private and save my deepest thoughts and views for my close friends and family. Public or private, there is one version of me. Read more>>
Sauywanna Davis
Yes, there were many times I almost gave up. Balancing a full-time 9-to-5 job, raising my son, caring for my mother, and still trying to find time to build my dream often felt impossible. There were days I questioned whether I had the strength to keep going — but my faith, my son, and the legacy of my mother kept me anchored. Read more>>
Briana Acres
This year was one of the most challenging in my life . But it’s built me up to be stronger , smarter , even more confident , grateful and blessed . So many things that happen to me , but I’m still here . Some people couldn’t handle the things thrown my way to break me but I’m still here . Read more>>
Candace Kluba
Oh this is my favorite question. This was the best story I rewrote for myself! I believed as a child and the first 10 years of my adult life that ‘I couldn’t sit still.’ It was this belief that drove me to living on autopilot completely disconnected from my self. When I rewrote this story, everything in my life started changing for the better! Read more>>
James Enstall
The old saying from George Bernard Shaw: ‘We don’t grow old because we stop playing; we grow old because we stop playing.’ Couple that with the wise words of Robin Williams who said ‘You’re only given one little spark of madness… You mustn’t lose it.’ and youve’ got a recipe for whimsy and eternal youth. Read more>>
Erika Cockerham Mulholland
How long do we have?! HAHAHAHAHA!! Read more>>
Sundi Jo
The defining wounds of my life came from abuse, abandonment, and believing I wasn’t worth loving. Those moments shaped how I saw myself for a long time. I spent years trying to outrun the pain—performing, achieving, pretending I was fine. But brokenness always has a way of catching up with you. Healing started when I stopped running and let God into the mess. Read more>>
Myiesha Henderson
Dancing, preparing food, spiritual audiobooks, Auntie duties, playing dress up, naps…. A lot of things. Read more>>
Theresa Rubio
Something that has brought me great joy lately is watching my 2 sons play college football. One plays for Notre Dame and the other for Southwest Baptist University. Watching them do what they love is priceless! Read more>>
Monica Newsam
The passion and desire to pursue your interests is vital for your soul. There is always a way to follow what you are passionate about, and you can find that path. Read more>>
Shannon Laine
I’m deeply committed to building a stronger, more sustainable entertainment industry here in the Midwest. One where professional performers, filmmakers, and storytellers don’t have to leave home to find opportunity. That’s a long-term effort that takes persistence, policy change, partnerships, and community investment, but I believe it’s worth every step. Read more>>
Cherie Doyen
I’m committed to moving Quantum Therapeutix™ into the mainstream so it’s accessible to people who are suffering with CPTSD and dissociation. These are not concepts. Actions got them here and it takes action to reverse action. Many of thes people have been in therapy for years. They have talked about it enough. What can we d about it. Doing is different than talking. Read more>>
Jessy Johnson
One of the quotes that is the driving force behind The Love Mission is from Mother Teresa: ‘We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.’ A few years ago, I was overwhelmed by all of the bad things happening in the world and didn’t believe I could genuinely make a difference. Read more>>
Sophie Axie Mae
Integrity. There is no greater character trait then someone who is the same person, with the same morals, no matter who they’re around. When it all boils down, having good character is all you’ve got. I cannot control what people’s perception of me is, but I can control my actions & by the grace of God, live a life of honesty & integrity. Read more>>
Evergrace Davis
Peace is a feeling that has no price tag. The value of peace compares to none.I am at peace when I am outside reading my Bible, talkong to God, looking at God’s creation, hearing the birds chirp and relaxing. Read more>>
Leslie Song
In high school, I took a foundation drawing class for fun and loved everything about it – learning to observe, to study nuances in light and shadow, the delicate process of creating gradients with graphite. It was my high school art teacher, Grant Kniffen, who saw real potential and pushed me to take more art classes. Read more>>
Andria Damrell with AD images
This is an easy one, God! I know each of us are created for a purpose before we are even on this side of the world. We are given specific and unique gifts that God designed in us to share with everyone. I didn’t always know what mine were yet, but now I do. Read more>>
Mardie
Both my mother and father taught me from an early age what it means to fight for what you want while holding on to your integrity. As immigrants from Mexico, the odds were stacked against them , yet they built a life in America centered on legacy—one rooted in hard work, belief, and tradition. I still remember waking up at 5 a.m. Read more>>
Julia López
The person who taught me the most about work is, without a doubt, my mom. She’s always been the kind of person who leads by example, showing me that work isn’t just about getting things done, but about doing them with integrity, persistence, and care. I remember watching her juggle so much, yet she approached everything with determination and a sense of pride. Read more>>
Katie Hinderer
I adore this question, and I think I’ll probably have a fairly different answer from others! When I was young, I was painfully, horribly, awkwardly shy! Read more>>
Claire Welton
The lack of trust is what I believe creates the biggest rupture between people; and forgiveness and grace is the key to repair. Think about a time where your trust in someone was broken. It’s one of the hardest things to move past because it bleeds into every aspect of the relationship. Read more>>
Chloe Alexander
Wow! This is a deep yet powerful question. I believe there are many things that could drive a wedge between people however the main sources are usually pride, offense or envy. The reason I say this is because if we think about love we should always reference 1 Corinthians 13:4 which tells us that love is patient, love is kind. it does not envy. Read more>>
Herman Armstrong
Preconceived notions break bonds. When we stop seeing people as individuals and start reducing them to categories or assumptions, distance grows. It’s easy to talk about people; it takes intention to listen to them. What restores those bonds is slowing down long enough to truly connect. Listening without an agenda. Asking one more question before offering an opinion. Read more>>
Mimi Manuel
My relationship with self and God Read more>>
Linda Green
The cultural value I uphold is inclusion and respect for everyone – embracing people of all races, genders, identities, and religions. I believe in excepting our differences and recognizing the worth and dignity of every individual. When we open our hearts to understanding others, we create stronger, more compassionate communities. Read more>>
Lucy Cashion
Right now, I am learning from my students. I have seven undergraduate students in our advanced directing course at the University where I teach, and I am mentoring all of them for essentially an evening of short plays, which is really two evenings of short play because there are 7 Short Plays. Read more>>
Anya Summers
Taylor Swift. No, really. I know she gets a lot of hate. A few years ago I started studying her business acumen. I do that with a lot of professionals in different industries to see what they are doing and if there’s anything they are doing that I can apply to my business. Read more>>
