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.

Raven Patzke

I’m originally from Waupaca, Wisconsin- a small town of just 6,000 people. The grass always seemed greener on the other side, so after heading to the bigger city of Madison for college, I moved to Los Angeles and then spent about a year island-hopping through the Caribbean before finally settling in Miami. I think that everyone should live outside of their hometown *at least* once in their lifetime. Read More>>

Hunter Shackelford

I’m from Virginia — the one the location everyone leaves out of the DMV! As a Southerner raised in a interlocational family, I believe my upbringing transformed my understanding of ancestral connective practices to home place and lineage. In my artistic practice, my ancestors speak through me and lead me to unearth stories and experiences of deep resilience and pain. Every time I create, I feel a deep pull towards the expansive and precarious Black historical archive and that includes a relationship to Virginia, my family, and the afterlife of slavery. Read More>>

Sheli Muñiz

I was born outside of Atlanta and raised in South Florida. My story begins with my parents who fell in love in Puerto Rico before moving to the states for opportunities. They are the fabric that weaves together who I am, my purpose, and my career.

Growing up, television news was a constant in our house. My parents loved watching noticias so as a child, I even vividly remember pretending to do the weather using Al Roker’s 7-day forecast. Spanish was my first language so the fact that I now tell stories in English, on television, is really a testament to what’s possible. That’s what was drilled into me, “you can do anything”. As a parent now, I carry that lesson forward. Read More>>

Pascal Okoh Jr

I’m originally from Nigeria, but I was raised in South Florida—specifically in areas like Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, and Oakland Park. That mix of African roots and American upbringing shaped my creative voice in a unique way. Growing up in Broward County exposed me to a melting pot of cultures, stories, and struggles, and that gave me a deep appreciation for real, raw storytelling. My background taught me how to find humor, depth, and resilience in everyday life. It’s also why I focus on capturing moments that are nostalgic, honest, and relatable.  Read More>>