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.

Director Coco Love | Queen Of The Trenches

Being where I’m from, I wasn’t supposed to make it this far. I’m from Baton Rouge, La and it’s the reason I am who I am today. Coming up, I didn’t have a horrible childhood. I didn’t grow up in the best places but I was raised by the best people. Growing up in Baton Rouge is pretty rough for any child, especially North Baton Rouge where I’m from. I was surrounded by your typical hood activity, gang and gun violence but I was a determined to escape that. Read more>>

Nohemi Guevara | Fashion Blogger

Hey my name is Nohemi. I was born in Panama & raised in Brooklyn NY. In May 1993 I was 3 years old when I came to the US along with my mother & brother . My dad had already came & was getting everything situated for us . I would like to think that my background & upbringing impacted every part of who I am today. Growing up I was fortunate enough to have amazing supportive & loving parents . I would say my childhood was very normal my parents weren’t as strict but they were so protective , grew up going to church every Friday night & Sunday morning. Read more>>

Jordan Pesek | Hairstylist: Extension & Blonding Specialist

I grew up in huntsville Texas with my parents, and my older brother. My dad was a truck driver, and my mom worked office jobs for different state institutions. Although my parents liked their jobs, I knew they’d be happier doing something else. They did what was needed for us to grow up with everything we could need or want. My mom was always very artsy, and I knew that I wanted to explore that side of myself. Read more>>

Brianna Guerrero | Hair Shifter & Artist

I grew up in a small city in Goodyear, AZ. At the time, it had a population of maybe seven thousand people. I remember everything being so empty and it did not even have a Walmart until a later in the years. I always knew I wanted to see more of the world and become someone great when I got older. Although, I did grow up very fast and honestly can’t relate to most childhoods. I had to learn how to become dependable and independent growing up for my mother who was an over worked single parent. Read more>>

GodKing Preach | Rapper & Songwriter

I’m from Alief which is a suburb of Houston, Texas. Being from Alief afforded me the privilege of growing up in one of the most diverse communities in Texas if not the United States. I’d say it added to my eclecticism for sure. Alief changed a lot during my journey from childhood to adulthood and it allowed a lot of us to form our own identities in a world where it seems like your path is predetermined due to lack of information or options. Read more>>

Kacey Coleman | Personal Trainer

I’m originally from Houston. My dad was a personal trainer and firefighter pretty much my entire life. His goal was to always “save lives through fitness.” He passed away in 2017 from lung cancer, and as sad as it was it was so gratifying to see just how many people he touched through fitness or fighting fires. I always want my life to honor who my daddy is to me and that’s how Flye Girl Fitness was born. I chose use Flye Girl because that’s the nickname he gave me. Read more>>

Melisa Siebert | Franchise Business Owner – Once Upon A Child

I was born in Harlingen Texas and am the oldest of 3 children. My family moved to Houston when I was 2 years old for better jobs and opportunities. My dad was a Marine reservist and was a painter by trade. My mom was a telephone rep for Southwestern Bell. My mom was the driving force of YOU can do better than this. I was pushed throughout school to make good grades so I could go to college. Unfortunately, there was little to no money for that. Read more>>