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.

Joelle Frederick | Intuitive Mindfulness Coach, Plant Based Wellness Guide, Model Coach & Creative Director

I’m from the small vibrant island of Grenada in the Caribbean! Growing up on an island and being raised by Caribbean parents definitely taught me… persistence. I say persistence because in order to create a better life for myself, I had to have drive and inspiration to push towards achieving my goals while taking risks to find a career path that truly made me happy. Read more>>

Fioriana Larche | Designer

Although I grew up on Long Island, I would take any chance I can to go to NYC. I fell in love with the culture and architecture and it’s where I started my photography career. I love NYC because it doesn’t ask anyone to conform to an image. Walking through the streets of Manhattan not one person looks the same and it was the one place I felt comfortable to express myself. Read more>>

Daniel Triche | Registered Dietitian & Fitness Trainer

I was born and raised in Miami- Dade County. My parents are from the island of Haiti, which makes me Haitian-American. My parents and grand mothers came to this country as Haitian immigrants. I watch them work on a farm, wait tables, drive taxi’s , and work all kinds of different jobs to provide me and my siblings with a better life and more opportunities. They taught us the importance of education and hard work. Those same principles are what impacted me to becoming an entrepreneur as well as health specialist. Read more>>

Denise & Brian Hendershot | Podcast Hosts, Authors, & Bloggers

Brian is from Ohio and I am Denise from Alabama. These are two cities with very different cultures yet, they both held very similar boundaries and limitations when it came to race and relationships. We both grew up with very little; we found ourselves depending on outside help, extended family, friends, & neighbors. As with any struggle, you hope to dig deep to find a reason to be fueled to want a better outcome in your future. Read more>>