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.

Bayonle Arashi | Leadership coach, founder Midas Football Academy Houston

I was born in the city of Ibadan Nigeria in June of 1980, I am the first son and the first child of my parent’s marriage. My dad could be considered a middle-class man since I grew up knowing him as a self-employed man. My dad was a land surveyor by profession and it was what he did till around 2006 when he accepted Christ and became the first generation Christian in our family. The story of his becoming a Christian did not suddenly happen, but he had a lot of deep lessons in it. As early as I could remember I was around 10 years old when my dad became a polygamy by marrying a second wife. Read more>> 

Christie Gayle DeBacker | Scenic, Display and Theatre Artist

I’m a born and raised Texan. I grew up mostly in Round Rock (just north of Austin). Theatre wasn’t really something I was aware of growing up, let alone thinking it could be a career. I did however have a fondness-borderline obsession with movie musicals, forcing my older sister and parents to sit through The Wizard of Oz and Sound of Music (two favorites) countless times. There was something about this magical way of storytelling that I really connected with. Read more>>

Brittney Ball | Cosmetology Student, Hair Therapist & Creative Genius

I was born in Germany. My dad was in the Army and my mom followed him there. After military life we ended up in Houston, TX. Although we lived everywhere in Houston, Alief and the entire southside has been my home. We didn’t grow up in the best conditions. We were poor lol Having to grow up and learn survival skills early on is probably the biggest reason why I am the way I am. Having to figure out a way out of no way, as a kid, has definitely helped with my independent woman mindset. As a kid, I was very resourceful, I mean I had to be. Me, my siblings and my cousins all came together to make sure we were all taken care of when our parents couldn’t. Read more>>