There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Kate Mefford | Art Event Producer & Curator

Kate: Born in the small town of Brenham, Texas, my family members were either entrepreneurs or creatives. Going after goals and desires were valued, as was thinking outside of the box. Having vision and filling unmet business needs has been something my family has celebrated, which has shaped me professionally. It is always so satisfying to find solutions or fill voids and when I get to do that creatively…wow! I just can’t think of a better professional situation for myself. Read more>>

Shellie Ross | Executive Director of Wesley-Rankin Community Center

Growing up in Pascagoula, Mississippi, I learned to fish and crab at a young age. My childhood is filled with memories of riding a Strawberry Shortcake bike, playing sports in the yard with neighborhood friends (I was the only girl of six.) and my dad picking me up from school in an unairconditioned Buick we named Old Blue. Read more>>

Rebecca Carrell | Broadcaster, podcaster, author, speaker, Bible teacher

We moved approximately every three years while I was growing up, so early on, I learned how to approach people and start conversations. Because we usually moved to different states/regions of the US, I also developed a natural curiosity about people and their life experiences. Read more>>

Allison Anderson | Licensed Professional Counselor

I was actually born and raised in Burleson, just about 15 minute from downtown Fort Worth. I have 2 sisters and my parents just recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. I am very blessed to h ave a wonderful, tight-knit family, but we have definitely had our flare of struggles just like any family. No matter what one of was going through, my parents instilled in us that “family is everything” and we are all always each others biggest cheerleaders, which I think directly correlates to how close we are now as adults. Read more>>

Pilar Adara | NYC-based Actor/Producer/Writer

I’m a NYC-based Actor/Producer/Writer working in TV and Film. Pilar’s Passion is to tell stories that center BIPOC Queer and Trans people. Pilar hopes to create art that will challenge societal norms and work to break the gatekeeping cycle of who is in front of and behind the camera. I was born in Paraguay but I grew up in Atlanta. Atlanta is a city with it’s own cultural identity. Read more>>

Mallorey Atkins | Executive Chef/Owner

I’m from Callisburg Texas with a population of 300, and attended Gainesville School District. Gainesville is not known for a culinary scene and is a “Chef forsaken” town. Honestly, I did not even know what a Chef was until I decided to go to culinary school. In my home town I’m considered a great cook that started at a very young age. Read more>>