Through the work we do we are incredibly fortunate to find and learn about so many incredible local artists, creatives and entrepreneurs. Their stories, the lessons that they’ve learned and the legacies they are building inspire us beyond words. Below, we have highlighted a few of those amazing folks and we hope you’ll check out their stories and their responses to some of the fundamental questions the help form the foundation of our lives and careers.
Vanessa Case
Ha! My parents would laugh at this question. I don’t think I’ve done what anyone’s told me to do since I was, like… ten. Ask my mom — she’d agree. I started nursing school and dropped out with one semester left because it just wasn’t what I wanted anymore. Read more>>
Cher Shaffer
I am walking a path. My life has been a series of pathways, but when I started to get deep into the forest of my soul, I realized I was born to create. So, with gratitude, I follow that path, and am always glad that I have the gift to create, and express from my heart. Read more>>
Kim Setteducati-Mann
I’m both walking a path and wandering. I have a sense of direction, guided by my purpose, passion, and values, but I also leave space to step off the path and see what I might discover. I try to stay curious, give myself permission to change course when I feel called to, and trust that exploration can be just as important as forward progress. Read more>>
Latorius Adams
Recently, I had a moment that made me feel incredibly proud: being recognized as a North Carolina Central University 40 Under 40 honoree. This achievement means a lot to me, as it reflects the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my career and community. Read more>>
Kenedra Campbell
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: Believe in yourself, ferociously and unapologetically, and that you are exactly who you think and believe you are. Read more>>
Natalie Murray
Always, always be yourself. Don’t let others decide who you should be. Your voice, your way of moving through the world, and your truth are enough and they always will be. Read more>>
Jana Askeland
It is. That’s why I call my self the real mom. Some days I struggle to get through the day and don’t feel very ‘presentable’ while other days it seems like I have it all under control and figured out. It’s mom life. It’s real. Some days it’s not very pretty and I think we can all relate to that. Read more>>
Davin Kearney
I stand on what i believe. I am genuine, eazy going and i will never change. Read more>>
Karena Atkinson
The first 90 minutes of my day starts with me and God. The first thing I do is play my Worship Music and begin my morning routine. I love to journal and get those thoughts out on paper or just express how I feel, or how I want to feel that day. Read more>>
Comfort Yeboah
The first 90 minutes of my day are like a personal reset button—intentional, energizing, and deeply grounding. I begin with prayer and a short devotion, to align my spirit before the day starts moving. That quiet time sets the tone, reminding me who I am and the goals I’m working towards. Then it’s go-time! a quick workout to shake off sleep. Read more>>
Heidi Snyderburn-Campbell
Changing birth outcomes. Our medical system both means well and is broken. Most providers believe they are rescuing women in childbirth by providing IV ports with fentanyl flowing and epidurals and cesarean sections and invasive exams. But the hill I will die on, is helping change the narrative that childbirth is just painful and hard and something to be afraid of. Read more>>
Jeffrey Mort
The belief I’m committed to—no matter how long it takes—is that people deserve to experience real health results in the safest, most sustainable way possible. That conviction fuels everything I do. With Victory Lane Wellness, it means helping drivers, pit crews, and entrepreneurs push past hidden obstacles so they can perform at their best and extend their careers. Read more>>
Keileana Evans
I started transmuting my pain into power around the summer of 2025. It took a lot of introspection and reflection, but I am grateful for the lessons I learned. Throughout most of my life, leading up to now, I have been very naive and overly focused on ‘people pleasing’ to the point that I gave most of my power, time, and talents to others. Read more>>
Amber Evereteze
Honestly, I would say this has been one of the most transformative years of my life because I realized that feeling deep emotions is such a beautiful thing. Another big part of my life that helped me stop hiding in pain was my ability to move into a new state in less than a month. Read more>>
Joey Spencer
I have always been Joey Spencer who was raised to be myself so when I entered the World, I would tell the world ‘ Who I Was ‘ as to not be defined by what the world wanted me to be.. Read more>>
Jai’Lyn Lover
Yes—I believe in giving my best, even if no one ever praised me for it. For me, it’s about legacy. Praise and recognition are temporary, but the impact you leave behind lasts far longer than applause. I’ve come to understand that the true measure of my work isn’t always in who notices, but in who benefits—even quietly—from the seeds I’ve sown. Read more>>
Lisa Reynolds and Dominique Rainwater
The Nauti Bee & Co. What started as a simple hobby and a dream has created a community, family and joy like no other. We do not know how we survived this long without it. Stop? Never. We hope this is something that will bring not only us but our community joy for years to come. Read more>>
Patrick Turner
I earned my first dollar at 10 years old in 1970 by carrying cases of beer and soda from the cellar of a neighborhood store and restocking the cooler on the street level. I had a period of unemployment in 1981, another in 2000 and 2001 but I always knew that I’d get another job and have another paycheck in the future. Read more>>
Clifford Mack
The bonds between people can be broken by various factors, often stemming from unresolved conflicts, manipulative dynamics, and a lack of trust or respect. Conversely, these bonds can be restored through a process that emphasizes communication, empathy, forgiveness, and a commitment to rebuilding trust and establishing healthy boundaries. Read more>>
Veena Ramesh
Ego, Manipulation and disrespect breaks the bonds between the people. Love, respect, trust and compassion can restore them. Read more>>
Destiny Newby
Sometimes people forget to separate the artist from the actual person. I have a song titled “Sneaky Link” which in a nutshell is about having sexual relations with a person you aren’t officially dating or seeing and them falling in love with you. People hear that song and think I’m just the freakiest person. Read more>>
Chris Long
I think that one of the most misunderstood aspects of the songwriter/musician community is that it is all about being famous or getting rich. For some that may be true, but for a lot of us it is about the love of writing and performing. There’s nothing like being on a stage with a receptive audience sharing your stories and songs. Read more>>
Ky La’Vey
I think no one talks about the real struggle of following your dreams and passions. Life as we know it is constantly asking for our energy, time, thoughts, and feelings. Working 40-hour jobs that don’t fuel your passion but drain you in so many ways just to try to find time to work on the thing that makes you feel whole or elevated. Read more>>
Pastor Robert Leak
How the Community Will Understand My Legacy Pastor Robert Leak III When the community looks back on my life, I don’t want them to remember just my titles, my sermons, or the organizations I led. I want them to remember the heart behind it all. My legacy will not be measured in buildings, boards, or budgets — but in people. Read more>>
Dawn Sugg
That is an interesting question. A normal day for me is a full 15-hour day. Up and running at 5 am operating two trailers can be a big task. Staring the day off with a little office work. As a small business owner, I wear all the hats from accounting to scheduling in the office. Read more>>
Daphné Moore
When I sit with this question and look at my life right now, I can honestly say I’ve spent a lot of energy dimming my own light—holding back my voice, my sense of self-worth, and my natural ability to love openly and be seen. Some folks still think I’m just trying to grab attention, but in reality, that’s never my goal. Read more>>
Ann Harwell
Two degenerative diseases I have to fight. Parkinson’s is fairly well controlled and should not prevent me from working. I try not to think about my diagnosis of Macular Degeneration. I know that it can not be cured and could eventually lead to blindness. What will I do when that occurs? Read more>>
Leah Ponds
I love this question. My relationship with Jesus Christ has been the foundation for how I see myself. Finding my identity in Him (meaning that I know who I am based on what He has said about me throughout the bible, and the truth He has impressed upon my heart over the years) has been completely life-changing. Read more>>
Naraisha Rorie
I feel the relationship I have with myself has really shaped me into the woman I am today. I feel the person you spend the most time with is you. So you always want to make sure you practice self love , self awareness , and self compassion in developing into your true authentic self. Read more>>
Christy Anne
We are all equal. We are all one. If you strip us down to the core of our beings, we all have the same wants and needs. We all suffer. We all long for things that are out of reach. We all breathe the same air. We are all made of the same essence. All come from the same place. Read more>>
Ave Epps
I remember doing a Shakespeare play when I was in middle school and it made me feel really powerful and motivated at a time where I really needed it Read more>>
Latashia Renee
I will NEVER regret telling the truth! If it shook the room, then maybe the room needed shaking! Period. Read more>>
Shayla Hilton
One thing I’ve changed my mind about after failing hard is the idea that failure defines you. I’ve learned that there is actually a lot of growth in the process itself. Not reaching a goal or succeeding in the way you originally expected doesn’t mean you are a failure—it just means you may need to pivot, adjust, and start working toward a new path. Read more>>
Richa Dolia
I think a lot of very smart people today are underestimating the long-term cost of our over-reliance on screens—especially for children. Technology has incredible benefits, but we’ve leaned so heavily into digital solutions that we’re forgetting the power of real-world, hands-on experiences. Read more>>
Jazlyn Ortiz
I admire Queen Elizabeth for her character. She had to step up to a very powerful position at a young age. She is the definition of resiliency. She mourned her father’s death and stepped up to take his place on the throne. She had the role of a queen, wife, mother, sister and daughter. Read more>>
Shreya Gundam
Cassey Ho. She was actually my earliest influence when I first got into fitness, but over time, it became less about the workouts and more about the way she approaches life. She’s the reason I’ve learned to let my heart, creativity, and authenticity guide my own journey. Read more>>
DERRICK STEMBRIDGE
I’ve always been drawn to thinkers and creators who challenge our perspective on the world, including Brian Eno, Rick Rubin, and Alan Watts. Their ideas about creativity, presence, and perspective have shaped how I approach both art and life. I lean on their philosophies as reminders to stay curious, to embrace simplicity, and to trust the process even when I don’t have all the answers. Read more>>
