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.

Eteng Ibor | Comedian and model

Am from west Africa,Nigeria to be precise . Well my upbringing has really helped me to know that life is all about love, when you give love you get love as a gain. Also it’s gives me the awareness of respecting both young and old as that is a way of life. Background shaped the person I am today…., like I said earlier my upbringing really opened my eyes to a lot things am experiencing today making it easy for me to adapt, in terms of my talent and gifts my parents encouraged me and also help build me in that direction, and that’s because I was able to discover my interest on time. I actually started playing drums from church from a very tender age of 7 then moved to playing the piano, then moved to acting in church also discovering my interest in comedy making people happy that all came to play because my parents encouraged me and gave me a good upbringing. Read more>>

Juan Gallardo | Music artist

I’m from fortworth Texas. I had a rough upbringing we was poor coming up in forest hill the east side of fortworth Texas but it deff made me stronger as an individual and also made my work ethic a lot stronger wanting to have more as I grown up Read more>>

Rasheedah McClenon | Business Owner, Activist, Artist

I am from the south Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. Oak Cliff is devastated by disinvestment and racial politics. Because of this dynamic poverty and disadvantage left the lives of many within my family and friend circle in ruin. I am a product of ruin, determination, resilience, and brilliance. Ruin follows me everywhere I go via my fears, my scars, and my financial limitations. Determination pushes me through one mishap after another. Resilience allows me to mourn, reflect, and adjust. Brilliance allows me to “run the play” time and time again with every odd against me, and Win. My background and upbringing gave me nothing to lose, and everything to gain. I am grateful. Read more>>