The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.
Ellen Ransom
I’m 69 years old. I grew up in Glen Ellyn, IL 8th of 9 children, in a house my dad built himself. It was a good area to grow up, graduate, go to college, and get married and start a family. Midwesterners are salt of the earth people, but I always knew I wouldn’t stay there, I wanted a more southern climate. Read more>>
Christine Stevralia
I grew up in Pennsylvania. Despite being top of my class, I was ignorant of the outside world. The summer before senior year of high school, I watched the movie Hotel Rwanda. I was 17, and until then, had believed that war was a thing of the past. Read more>>
Claudine Langdon
I started Southern Wake Counseling Center in November of 2008, but it wasn’t part of some long-term business plan. It actually came out of a situation that required me to act quickly. At the time, I was working for another counseling practice based in a nearby community. Read more>>
Moira Girard
My husband and I moved to Durham in 2018. We discovered axe throwing when Urban Axes opened on Foster Street later that year. What started as a fun new activity quickly became much more than a hobby for me. I found a passion, and a community that quickly became like family. Read more>>
Faylene Whitaker
My husband and I started the farm in 1975 as a tobacco farm on rented land. We bought the original 36 acres in the fall of that year, my husband is now deceased. Today I farm with my son, his wife and grandson. Read more>>
Greta Curry
I’m originally from the Pittsburgh area, but I’ve also lived in Arizona and West Virginia before settling here in North Carolina. My husband and I have been together forever, and we’re proud to have an amazing family and outstanding friends. I’ve specialized in lash extensions since 2018, and I also offer lash lifts, brow laminations, lash & brow tinting, sugar waxing and makeup services. Read more>>
Chris Stokes
I built our Main Barn in 2019 specifically for our Fall Festival. After our first season I was getting requests about doing weddings at the farm , so we shifted gears on the interior and turned it into a Venue . Read more>>
David Luyendyk
I started working at a lumber yard when I was 15 years old and stayed there throughout high school. After graduating, I attended a local university in Northeast New Jersey while continuing to work at the lumber yard to help pay for college. Read more>>
Jordana Duncan
As a new speech language pathologist, I had a patient struggling to make progress. My mentor encouraged me to mention the patient’s obvious tongue tie to her mom. I was reluctant, because in graduate school we learned to work around a tongue tie, to teach the patient to compensate rather than addressing the restriction. Read more>>
Jacquelyn Garcia
I have been a therapist for the past 18 years. Last summer I decided I wanted to open my own practice. I wanted to create a place where people felt heard and understood. I envisioned a place where children and adults felt seen. I decided on the name Encuentros Family Therapy PLLC, because it was simple. This is a place to simply meet. Read more>>
Timothy Wyckoff
Our story really started long before the nonprofit officially existed. In 2005, I deployed to Iraq with an artillery unit in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Like a lot of military units at the time, we were mostly young guys thrown into serious situations very quickly. Over that deployment, we built an incredible level of trust and brotherhood. Read more>>
Lori Valenti
For years, I was busy building businesses and helping other people create the lives they wanted. Then, in what felt like an instant, my own life changed. After experiencing both a vaccine injury and COVID within a short period of time, my body went into a health crisis. Read more>>
Sanaa Sharrieff
When I opened The Style Lab in downtown Greensboro, it was born from a desire to create a space for fashion, creativity, and entrepreneurship. I reestablished Savvy Chic Clothing in 2019 and quickly learned to pivot when the COVID pandemic changed the way the world would do business. Read more>>
Katherine Rollins
Hi everyone, I’m Katherine aka TheHighHeeledGamer! I have been a TheHighHeeledGamer for the past 14 years, and I have been streaming video games for the past 9 years. I have always wanted to work in the gaming industry as a writer or journalist, but I decided to start my family first. Read more>>
Alfredo Hurtado
This is from a speech I made on Memorial Day. I was sworn in at the Brooklyn MEPS in Ft Hamilton, NY October 12 2000. After I was sworn in, I was instructed to go towards our respected branch vehicle so that we can be transported to the airport. Read more>>
Jennifer Alvarado
Jennifer Alvarado is redefining what it means to be a country artist in today’s music scene. Read more>>
Vinny Mac
My musical journey starts like most in the 1980s, Michael Jackson. My study of melodies and lyrics starts with my (arguable) favorite Michael song. The Way You Make Me Feel. Words like ‘ecstasy’ used in the song sent me to the dictionary and from there, a life long love affair of expression. Read more>>
Darlena Moore
This is a speech I gave at a fundraiser on Saturday night. I think it gives a good idea of the story. My story, and that of The Gilbert Scholarship, is one of love and belonging. I am the president of this non-profit and we award scholarships for college to youth from the foster care system. Read more>>
Ben Zino
I’ve always been fascinated with the living things that we share this planet with, especially creatures that are often underappreciated or despised because of how they look or what they do. Read more>>
Tiffany and Evan Jones
My husband Evan and I moved to Virginia in 2021 to take over his family farm. It was not operational for a few years but we have grown it to include deer, dove, turkey and bear hunts, as well as an annual Blueberry Festival. Read more>>
Antione Way
My journey started with a passion for serving my community and creating opportunities for others. I began my career working in Parks and Recreation before transitioning into leadership, compliance, and program management roles. Throughout my career, I have worked with military families, educational institutions, and community organizations, gaining experience in operations, business development, and leadership. Read more>>
Stephanie Pope
I grew up surrounded by animals — horses, dogs, cats, and everything in between. I competed in Western Pleasure, barrel racing, pole bending, and trail competitions growing up, so horses have always been the foundation of who I am. I went on to earn a B.S. Read more>>
Karmeshia Tuck
Karm’s Kharm’s was created from a passion for helping young people, especially young girls, navigate life’s challenges with confidence, resilience, and purpose. Throughout my journey, I witnessed how many youth struggle with self-esteem, mental wellness, peer pressure, and a lack of positive guidance. Read more>>
Jeffrey Williamson
Jeffrey Williamson is a North Carolina based photographer, visual storyteller, content creator, and educator whose work centers on authentic human connection, culture, community, and representation. Growing up in rural Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeffrey developed an appreciation for storytelling through family, faith, and the everyday moments that shape our lives. Read more>>
Richelle Smallwood
My journey has been shaped by both personal growth and a deep passion for helping others heal and discover their potential. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the founder of Providential Care: Center for Mental Wellness, PLLC, where I provide mental health services and create programs designed to help individuals build self-esteem, improve emotional wellness, and reconnect with their authentic selves. Read more>>
Jamal Matters
My name is Jamaal Matters. In 2023 I began my journey as a professional emcee. I’m a hip-hop artist and videographer for Dope Oasis films who has built a buzz and solidified my spot in the NC music scene. Over the past 3 years I have performed countless live shows all over NC and Virginia. Read more>>
Reinhart ELBOECK
Handpicked Nursery started from a genuine love for plants, nature, and creating spaces where people can connect with the outdoors. What began as a nursery business has grown into something much larger: a 25-acre destination built for the community to enjoy. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to create more than just a place to buy plants. Read more>>
Kyndall Owens
I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember. I’ve always enjoyed painting since I was little and never expected my love for art to turn into what it is today. Over time, it grew from something I did just for fun into a meaningful part of my life and eventually into opportunities to share my work with others. Read more>>
Addison Horner
I grew up in Sanford, training classically on piano before branching out into pop and rock music. While earning a Music Production & Recording Arts degree at Elon University, I was blessed with performance opportunities across the spectrum—playing the Bluebird Café in Nashville, touring with a jazz band in Italy, and directing an a cappella group for three years. Read more>>
Kaytlyn Williams
Years ago, I realized I had skin sensitivity to fragrance oils and colorants. I was using products that were labeled ‘natural’ and still having issues, and then I realized that even many products sold under the ‘natural’ label still contained ingredients that my skin could not tolerate. I needed gentle, scent-free, colorant free products so I decided to learn to make my own. Read more>>
Dr. Tyeasia Dorsey
I am the proud mother of an amazing daughter and have dedicated my life to serving others. My career in the helping profession began at the age of 16 as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), where I developed a passion for supporting individuals in need and discovered my desire to make an even greater impact. Read more>>
Dwight Chito
I started Kingdom Property Management Inc. with a simple goal: to provide reliable, high-quality property maintenance services that people could actually count on. In the beginning, it was really about hard work, learning the business hands-on, and building trust one job at a time. Read more>>
Raja-Nee Bailey
My name is Raja-Nee Bailey, and I’m the owner of Fully Loaded Aesthetics in Durham, NC. I’m a licensed esthetician, lash artist, and beauty educator with a passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful. My journey started in 2018 when I took a chance on myself and enrolled in a lash training class with only $500 to my name. Read more>>
Erycka Anderson
I started creating content over 8 years ago with a simple goal: to share my experiences and help others navigate life a little more confidently. What began as a personal creative outlet eventually grew into a passion for storytelling, content strategy, and digital media. Over the years, I built an audience across social media while simultaneously developing my professional career in content production. Read more>>
Yuliya Klyashtoforski
I was born in Ukraine and moved to the United States with my family in 2005. Starting over in a new country was not easy. When I arrived, I barely spoke English, and adjusting to a new culture, language, and school system was challenging. However, those experiences taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of hard work from an early age. Read more>>
Asha Edwards
I was born in Xenia, Ohio, and raised in Richmond, Virginia after my family relocated from Columbus in 2013. Looking back, my path into the culinary world wasn’t as straightforward as most people might expect. In high school, I enrolled in a technical center program where I had to choose two areas of study. My top interests were culinary arts and veterinary science. Read more>>
TJ Christiansen
Nature and the outdoors were a large part of my upbringing in Michigan. Whether it was camping, fishing, or just hanging out with family and friends, I found myself spending a lot of time outside and observing my environment. Because it was such an integral component of my daily existence, some of the first creating I did utilized natural materials, wood in particular. Read more>>
Camille Dryden
I’ve always had a deep desire to create. When I was little, I always wanted a camera in my hand or to be in front of one. So, I’d like to say my love for visual media started there. My love for visual media is what ultimately gravitated me towards photography. Read more>>
Ren Gaia
So I stumbled upon Reiki by signing up for what I thought was a massage. After that session I liked what I had experienced so I eventually scheduled another Reiki session. Afterwards I was invited to attend a communal meditation circle. After a bit of searching for a Reiki master and a flopped experience in Texas… Read more>>
Sabrina Little
My journey has been anything but traditional, and honestly, that’s what makes it so meaningful. I began my career in human resources, recruiting, and workforce development, spending more than 15 years helping organizations identify talent, build teams, and create opportunities for people to thrive. Read more>>
Julia Castellano
As a kid, I grew up in New York with an Italian American father and a Belgian mother. The fact that I have northern and European roots, resulted in me having an appreciation and love for quality food (especially bread). For the past couple of years, baking has been my full time job, but I have always worked for someone else. Read more>>
Erica McRay
My name is Erica McRay. I am a 21-year-old visual artist. My story as an artist started at 4 years old. My dad is also an artist, and I grew up in his art studio. My brother, Ethan, and I would paint there. I would make these large abstract pieces. These pieces landed me in the local newspaper at 4 years old. Read more>>
Clavon Wiggins
In 1993, I started volunteering in a prison ministry called the ACTS Program – Alcohol Chemical Treatment Series. My service there continued until that door closed for me in 2012. Around 2015, a fellow church member asked me if I was still teaching – and if not – would I be interested in teaching a substance abuse program. Read more>>
Myles Brown
I am currently a working artist that explores a variety of mediums. I explore both digital art mediums and traditional art mediums to create art compositions inspired by eastern mythology and pop culture. I took art classes during my time at an arts school called Longleaf School of the Arts, which is where I learned about acrylic paint. Read more>>
