Raleigh’s Most Inspiring Stories

Amjad Badwan

Afterwards I began my career in Northern Virginia where I worked for 3 years before returning to NC. I then worked at a practice where I was in charge of that particular office for 4 years before deciding to open my own practice 10.5 years ago. I partnered with a former classmate of mine and we started Wake Family Eye care. 4 years ago during the beginning of COVID, I bought out my partner and have managed the office since. Read More>>

Annie Mcquaid

When I graduated, I took a job at an edtech company that turned into a career in marketing. I love the storytelling aspect of marketing and am currently a marketing director focused on customer retention at Cengage Group. I kept writing fiction for fun in my free time but didn’t become serious about it until the world shut down during the pandemic. At the time, my company closed their office, I was working from home for the first time and still healing from a breakup. Like many people, I felt alone and driftless and turned to the comfort of books as an escape. By November 2020, as we entered the first holiday season in a COVID world, I pushed myself even further and wrote my own story, creating a book world to escape into. Read More>>

Dana Peterson

Growing up in Harlem, NYC, I truly only knew the comforts of the Northeast, the Tri-State area. I attended Humanities Preparatory High School in the Chelsea area of the city. Busy and beautiful. I was sitting in my advisory meeting one day when my principal asked for me to come into her office. “We’ve elected you Dana!” My principal said, sitting in her office with my teacher Chin A and my Advisor Sheri. “Elected for what?” I asked excitedly. “To be one of the Ambassadors for our school at the upcoming Coalition of Essential Schools Conference.” They all replied in glee. Read More>>

Latreash Mccurdy

I became a young mother in my senior year of High School, and a drive opened in me. I knew my path was art, I just didn’t know how to get there and how I could make it a career. So, I applied to Indiana University, of Fort Wayne and was accepted. A few months into college, I took a computer design class and fell in love. I heard professors talking about their work appearing in ads, billboards, and magazines and I thought – that’s what I want to do! At that time, I had no idea how many directions graphic design could take me. Read More>>

Steven M. Cozart

My works and imagery on Colorism, Texturism, and the perception of the Black Male in America have been exhibited at multiple museums and galleries along the East Coast and South, including the Sigal Museum, Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, Weatherspoon Art Museum, The Nasher Museum, Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art, and the Brooklyn Collective. Read More>>

Caitlin Mitscherlich

I launched CAM Group Media in 2021 while working at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. At 21 years old, I was exploring my career path when an opportunity presented itself. My father, a business owner, along with my godmother, approached me with a request to manage the social media for their short-term rental company, Clayda Rental Properties. What began as a new endeavor quickly evolved into a passion. I discovered that social media marketing was not only something I enjoyed but also something I wanted to pursue long-term. Read More>>

Allyn Brennan

I have been a stay at home mom since my third child was born 3 years ago. Before that I had worked in various sales roles (ergonomic office furniture, lead generation, IT consulting). I have always loved design and would decorate my home as a hobby. Over the last year or so I felt the urge to start something of my own, some kind of passion project. With my children being so young, (3, 4, and 6) I knew it would have to be flexible and allow me to bring them along. On September 30th I read an article about a porch pumpkin concierge business in Dallas and thought to myself “I could definitely do that.” Read More>>

Kellie Bailey

We tried what felt like the entire menu, got an up close demonstration of the making of the rolled ice cream and learned about the sourcing of ingredients and the origins of his business. It was truly an eye opening experience for me and after that day I knew this is what I wanted to do. I began to work hard to create my own brand, reach out to local businesses, create content and expand my reach. My page continued to grow, evolve and improve into what it is today, Kellie NC Adventures! My goal is simple, support local businesses and encourage others to go out and enjoy meaningful experiences at these places. I simply love to have a good time and try new things. My hope is that through Kellie NC Adventures, others can be inspired and do the same! Read More>>

Mourning Lotus

Our story, is a bit of a complicated one. Several members of the group have had previous history with each other, playing in other projects separately, before Mourning Lotus was ever thought of. Two of us are brothers, some of us have known each other since high school, while some of us met strictly because of this project. Mourning Lotus developed kind of on accident. It was an aftermath of a broken up cover band, playing your classic 70’s and 80’s rock and roll for hometown bars and private events. Read More>>

Erica Hilliard

I started braiding hair at a young age, experimenting on my own hair, my friends, and family. I never imagined that one day this passion would lead me to open my own children’s salon. Braiding was just something I loved to do, a creative outlet, but I never thought it would become the foundation of my career. Over time, I became more interested in the art of hair care, especially for children, and decided to turn that love into a profession. Read More>>

Vanessa Wright

About a year later, I took a big step and rented my first studio space. Over time, I transitioned to having my own in-home studio, which allows me to create a comfortable and personal environment for my clients. While I do a little bit of everything, I specialize in photographing newborn and children because that’s what I enjoy the most. There’s something truly special about capturing those early stages of life, and I take pride in doing it in a professional and heartfelt way. It’s where my passion and creativity really shine. Read More>>

Lizbeth Burgos De Peña

In high school, I was shy and hesitant to step out of my comfort zone. That started to change when I joined a digital media academy, where I learned marketing, photography, and graphic design. This program not only sparked my passion for photography but also helped me build confidence through speaking and presenting. By senior year, I was already taking college courses, and I earned a certificate in Graphic Design and Advertising before graduating high school. Read More>>

Benjamin Rakusin

I started by gathering a small group of friends who shared the same vision. Over time, the club grew to include about 40 members. We organized events like petitions, park cleanups, and host skate clinics every Sunday. We plan to collaborate with bigger organizations like Sk8 Raleigh and the Town of Cary to further reach our goals Read More>>

Hanna Finch-watson

Hi hi!! I’m Hanna, a lifelong artist whose creative journey began in childhood. From makeup and dance to photography, the arts have always been a way to escape, helping me navigate life’s crazy ups and downs. I started taking self-portraits at 14, often skipping school to find quiet moments of freedom through my art. At 16, I graduated early and moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to start fresh, where I began modeling and created an online series, *Hanwokeuplikethis*, focusing on self-expression through photography. Read More>>

Sam And Trish Mcmillan

Her response, especially as these suggestions became increasingly more ellaborate, would be “Sam it is not as easy as it sounds to make this stuff!” to which I would always respond “don’t sell yourself short, I know you can do it!” I moved back to Durham following college and continued giving my pottery suggestions to which Trish responded “put up or shut up” by giving me a pottery class for Christmas. I took to wheel throwing fairly quickly with great support from Durham Arts Council instructors Jessica, Becca and Laura, as well as my Mom who always inspired excitement in growing our skills together in these classes. Read More>>

Tamara Kersey

I can’t talk about my background without first acknowledging that I am the daughter of an immigrant. My mom was not prepared for the racism she’d face in America. She was also not prepared for the cultural racism and rejection from Black Americans. The cultural differences of a West Indian were surprisingly not widely accepted by her community when my mother first came to the United States. Read More>>

Justice Isom

The response was incredible, and soon I was getting attention from all over. My first catering event, though, was a disaster—I was overwhelmed and unprepared. But that experience pushed me to seek mentorship, and I reached out to Chef Tyler Thompson, who guided me through the early stages of my chef career. Read More>>

Tamika Bell

Absolutely! My journey started with a deep passion for creativity and a desire to help others. Growing up, I was always involved in various artistic endeavors and found that creativity was my outlet for expressing emotions and finding peace. Over the years, I noticed a gap in spaces where people could feel safe and supported while exploring their creative sides. This realization, combined with my background in life coaching and therapeutic art, inspired me to create Creative Safe Spaces LLC. Read More>>

Cuzo Key

Well sheeeiiittt, I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. Moved just outside of the city to the town of Davidson, North Carolina when I was about 10 til I graduated from high school. Fell in love with music at a young age from always riding my mother listening to old school soul and R&B records. Started loving the production side of music when I learned how to beat on the school lunch tables with pens and pencils. Used to rap in a circle with my friends until one of my best friends passed away when we were seniors in high school so that somewhat sparked an idea to start going to the studio and recording soon after. Read More>>

Carrie Hyman

The road has had many bumps along the way but I’d rather focus on the positive direction of Holistic Therapy Kneads. It is my belief that anything and anyone that was lost along the way or any “no’s” received were not meant to be on this journey with me. Owning a business takes up so much of your free time so dedication and hard work are always key factors in the overall success. Read More>>

Charlotte Purvis

In my role as a customer service consultant, I have been able to share many of my Tuscaloosa lessons with clients and colleagues. Those lessons serve as the foundation for my relationship with my clients. This is a plus for me as evidenced by the many long-term relationships I have with my clients. Also, by this business fact: Nearly 100% of my new business has resulted from my clients — their repeat business and referrals. I’m especially proud of those relationships that allowed my clients to be comfortable enough to ask me to provide communication coaching for their children.  Read More>>

Andrew Joseph Brodeur

My journey began in high school with musicals, and my very first one was Chicago. That experience sparked my love for acting, and from that moment, I knew this was what I wanted to pursue. After high school, I trained at the Actors Group in Winston-Salem, NC, under the guidance of Burgess Jenkins, where I made the transition to film and TV acting. Burgess was kind enough to help me connect with an agency in Atlanta, and from there, my path in the entertainment industry began to unfold. Read More>>

Marcus Dawson

I’ve always longed to be an artist but didn’t feel there was a place for me in the art world. Those feelings soon changed when I found collage art during the pandemic. I was having a hard time emotionally with the lock down and stress from work. I felt I just needed a creative outlet. I went to the store and got a bunch of magazines and books that sparked my interest and imagination. I went home and began to create collages. At that moment I felt I tapped into apart of myself that I didn’t know existed. I felt I could fully process my emotions through collage art, and it was so freeing. What started out as one collage turned into an entire body of work. Read More>>

Lucretia Berry

I began my academic journey with a BA from South Carolina State University, followed by an MA in English and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Iowa State University. My early career as a college professor allowed me to dive into curriculum design, multicultural education, and instructional technology. One of the highlights of that time was contributing to the Carver Academy Multicultural Learning Communities Project, a program that was nationally recognized for its success in increasing retention rates among underrepresented students. Read More>>

Ronkeia (keia) Lewis

Initially, writing served as a way for me to decompress and capture my thoughts. I never expected the recognition and awards that have come with becoming an author. But once I recognized the power of my words and their impact on others, I decided to pursue writing more seriously. You never know whose life you may touch by sharing your journey. Read More>>

Shonté Youmans

It is hasn’t been a smooth road because the mission hasn’t always been clear! Sometimes you have to go through to get there and it is okay. My journey is not the same as anyone else’s but I am staying the course. God will send the women I need to serve. It’s like loving the tore up nightgown knowing you need a new one. It takes time for people to own the errors of their ways. Read More>>

Angala Vasi Portorreal

DivaSpeaks Relationships is a relationship-focused platform founded by AnGala Portorreal, a renowned relationship expert, motivational speaker, and media personality. The platform offers various resources and tools to empower individuals and couples to build stronger, healthier relationships. Read More>>

Jane Steelman

I have drawn and painted since I was in junior high school. I began taking art classes in junior high and high school and was recommended for a special art summer camp in my hometown of Winston-Salem, NC. I was fortunate that at that time, The Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools had a great art program for students with annual student art exhibitions in Old Salem among the oaks. Read More>>

John Andrews

John is a Retail Co-Innovation Director at Ricoh USA, where he drives cutting-edge digital transformation initiatives for retail brands. His passion for innovation extends to advisory roles, where he consults with companies on digital strategies that harness the power of AI and influencer marketing. Read More>>

Dylan Lowe

Every song written is a time capsule of a moment in me or my band members’ lives, which is then felt and connected with differently by others. I try to think of writing songs as catering to a certain emotion. Sometimes we will go into a writing session thinking of a song that makes people want to dance and sometimes we want something that you can listen to when you’re feeling down and need some words of motivation. Nothing is more fulfilling to me than creating things, and I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by other people who feel the same way. Read More>>

Denise “nisi” Lee

Poetry and art became more a part of my life after getting divorced. I began to write my feelings down to get it out my head, I began performing more after sitting in on an erotic open mic and finally took my moment on the mic. Art came about when I was furloughed due to the onset of COVID-19 and I decided to watch YouTube to learn to paint so I wouldn’t just stare at my bare walls all day. Now I’m in a position of moving towards simply doing what I love to find peace and income from my passions. Read More>>

Ms. D

I created a nonprofit organization that would allow me to make the most of the opportunities available for the children and parents living in those conditions. My organization would visit these beautiful people on the weekends and engage in a series of activities that resulted in prizes such as toiletries, snacks, homework assistance and other items that contributed greatly to their stay at the Salvation Army. That’s pretty much how my vision was engraved and then pioneered into success as a Private tutor/educator and community leader. Read More>>

Dothula Baron

In first grade, I started out making all A’s. That pattern continued for many years. In high school, I was on the honor roll, National Honor Society, the Student Council, and was a leader in several other organizations. I was a teen writer for the local newspaper and was also Editor of my high school yearbook and newspaper. Very much an achiever! Because other people had high expectations of me, I had high expectations for myself! Read More>>

Amanda Herd

Exploring different crafts, I discovered success in everything I tried. While not everything was perfect, I found nothing too challenging. As life progressed, this gift stayed with me. In my adult years, I focused on perfecting tasks that held my attention longer. The jewelry-making creative passion resurfaced, despite my initial excitement, I eventually lost interest. Read More>>

Teejaythelegend

nahh never smooth, but not as hard as others I’d say. My battle was always with self as I am always going to be my biggest critic unfortunately. There would be times where I’d make like 10+ songs and hate every single one due to my self doubt about this whole rap thing. it’s too easy to catch the symptoms of imposter syndrome. Read More>>

Rebekah Starin

From there I went to college for an advertising degree and had a course in Photography which further fueled my love for it. I self taught myself a lot and ultimately decided to start my own photography business after I graduated. It had its ups and downs at first as the pandemic posed some hardships, but I am so proud to say I stuck with it. I love the photos and moments I get to capture for my couples, families, and businesses. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else! Read More>>

Waleed Asad

We share a strong work ethic and drive for perfection. Beker had experience with pressure washing and recognized a real demand for this service in our area. We began small, spending the next year building the foundation of our business. We set up our LLC, a Google My Business profile, designed our website from scratch, and established our presence on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Read More>>

Dr. Michelle Chambers-rollins

Afterwards, I wanted to work more on the preventative side of social work; I really wanted to be a mental health therapist. I completed my MSW at UNC-Chapel Hill and obtained my clinical social work licensure (LCSW) and my license as an addiction specialist (LCAS). My journey was really God filled. God led by steps as the journey was not easy. After obtaining my licensures I begin to practice as community based clinician, meeting people literally were they were, in their homes! Again, my humble career beginnings led to my successes. Read More>>