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.

Louidji Joseph | Focused Entrepreneur

My name is Louidji Joseph. I was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I came to the U.S. at the age of five. My parents decided to migrate to the U.S. to look for a better life for my sister and I. It was a big culture shock to me. However, I witnessed my mother and father work hard to provide for us. My grand mother was my primary care taker. Given the fact my parents was out working hard. This is why I came up with the name Doye’ in Doye’Me Gallery. My grandmother name was Doye. Marie Lacroix also known as Doye’Me Gallery was very impactful to making the man I am today. Doye taught me how to be a gentlemen. Doye taught me how to treat people as you would like to be treated. Read more>>

Maria Batista | Storybook Creator for Kids

As the daughter of business owners in Panama, my upbringing instilled in me a strong work ethic and gratitude for the opportunities my parents’ success provided. Despite their financial stability, my parents emphasized the importance of remembering our humble roots and appreciating the privileges we enjoyed. After completing law school in Panama, my life took an unexpected turn when my family decided to embark on a new chapter in the United States. Our journey to the USA was made possible through my uncle’s sponsorship, ultimately granting us legal residency and later citizenship. In this new land of opportunity, my mother, initially a housekeeper due to language barriers, rose to become a housekeeping executive manager. Read more>>

Andy Mendler | Entrepreneur

I was born and raised in the West Village in New York City. The city opened my eyes to what the world has to offer. I was surrounded by inspiration, chaos, and personality. I can’t imagine growing up anywhere else. Living in New York, you are forced to be independent. You have to be ready to fight for what you want. If anything impacted who I am today it would be my independence. My parents let me fly and flourish, I was never tied down. My parents are both strong-willed and stubborn. It taught me how to reach people on a deeper level. Something I’m still working on today as an entrepreneur. Read more>>

Dr. Agatha Caraballo | Associate Teaching Professor and Founding Director

I was born in Asuncion, Paraguay to a Brazilian mother while my American father served in the Peace Corps. We relocated to the United States when I was an infant and I grew up in California with two sisters. My childhood was chaotic at times but as a bookworm, I coped and thrived through my love of reading. Being the middle child of divorced parents, I felt compelled to serve as a frequent mediator and problem solver, and that need to serve and help is deeply seated. I moved to Miami in 1999 as a transfer student and enrolled at Florida International University. After starting a family, I returned to FIU and earned my Ph.D. in Public Affairs, and then joined my department’s faculty 11 years ago Read more>>

Shaune Sterling | Photographer, Actor & Creative Entrepreneur

My name is Shaune Sterling. I grew up and lived in New York for around 30 years, however I was born on the island of Jamaica. I lived there for only a few years as my parents decided to migrate to New York when I was around 5 years old. One of my uncles was already living in NY and he encouraged us to come to the US for a new life and opportunities. As a child I was always intrigued by all things in the creative arts. I was very artistic, loved to draw, loved music, acting and movies/films. My background in these creative avenues has, and continues to heavily shape my choices, my career paths and my world as a whole. In my teenage years I also realized that I loved business and entrepreneurial ventures. Read more>>