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.

Cynthia Servil | Luxury Cake Artist

I was born and raised in Miami, some would say it’s a state of its own within the state of Florida, due to its vast diverse cultural communities: I call it home. The neighborhood I was brought up in was a melting pot, where everyone thrived there were Asians, Latinos, and Caribbean folks who’d all come together for cookouts and block parties. Those experiences played a major part and helped shape me into who I am today. Read more>>

Shelby Carter | Artist

I’ve moved from place to place my whole life. Staying at each spot for 1-2 years. My parents and I are very close. I was an only child at the time of my upbringing so it was just us 3. All through that time, I kept journals where I would write. I would act in local playhouses in musicals from a very young age. At the time it was very hard, feeling I didn’t have a belonging to any particular since I knew I wasnt gonna be at each spot long, but now that I’m older I’m really thankful for that. Read more>>

Isa Condo-Olvera | Actor, Singer, Teaching Artist, Dialect Coach

I could write a whole book about this, so I’ll try my best to be succinct! I was born and raised in San José, Costa Rica, to an Ecuadorian dad and a Mexican mom. My parents both had drastically harder childhoods than I did, and from a very young age, I was taught about privilege, fortune, and gratitude. It is so human to compare yourself to those who appear to have more, but my parents would gently remind me that so many have so much less—a way of thinking that grounds me in gratitude whenever I’m struggling. Read more>>