There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Debbie Castaneda | Entrepreneur

I was born in Bogota Colombia, I was a former Miss Colombia and move to Italy Since a teenager, I always had to search for “the perfect body” which perfection doesn’t exist but being a model at that age I struggle a lot, as I remember only you needed to lose weight you can’t eat you are fat I need to find the strength and the confidence to believe in me and see myself as a beautiful perfect woman who does always her best to find the right nutrition the right workout the treatment to help achieve that goal. Read more>>

Rebecca Engling | Freelance Fashion Stylist

I am born in Germany where I studied Fashion Design: Graduated with honors in 2009 2009 – 2012 I worked in Germany as a Fashion Designer
2012 – 2013 Freelance Stylist in Germany and Europe 2013-Now Freelance Fashion Stylist in the USA based in Miami Read more>>

The Brown Barbie D’Asia Hargrove | Beauty Influencer

I’m from waterbury, Connecticut and although this city is known here its super small compared to the rest of the big cities in the U.S! My city doesn’t have that many successful people to come out of it, honestly Connecticut in general! With that being said, since I was a little girl I truly wanted to change that and give back! Being a Darkskin girl I would constantly have derogatory things said to me, various micro aggressions, and people shoot down my dreams. Read more>>

Kaylani Ramos | Little Princess New York US Nation 2022 & Public Figure/Model

My name is Kaylani Ramos, and I am 4 years old, I am the baby of 6. I was born and raised on the south side of Bethlehem located in the western part of Pennsylvania. I love dancing, singing, acting, and modeling. Read more>>