We’ve highlighted responses from some of the brightest and most talented artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs in the community below.

Towfu Say

As cliche as it sounds, I’m going to have to say my parents. They left Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge genocide to come to America for a better life. Being a first generation Cambodian American, I saw first hand the struggles they went through just to make ends meet in America. My mother ran a video store in the 90s in Chicago before moving to Boston to open up her own. My pops opened up a super market in 2007 and I’m still amazed at how they made it work. With English being their second language the fact that I saw them grind 7 days a week was just inspiring. Read more>>

Oya Şengün Topçu

When I think about the answer to this question, I realize that my heroes are not just one individual but all the authors whose books I read as a child. Back then, books felt like a second world to me—an escape from reality where I could dive into countless stories and endless adventures. With each book, I found myself transported to new and different worlds, each one more fascinating than the last. Read more>>

Joanna, Jaclyn & Anzie Stein

Our heroes have been the people who have helped us and inspired us along the way.

As a child it began with our grandmothers, our mother and cousin Eve who taught us how to be creative and to take making art seriously. They taught us to always be open to learning and to enjoy the process of creating something. Read more>>

Joe Graham

Greetings, and thank you by providing an opportunity to speak. Both of my parents Linda and Larry Graham are heros, Larry is one. I have learned many lessons from him, the fatherly example he set for himself and his family with his commitment to working to help Camden, SC and beyond with their automotive service needs, local community involvement and lifetime support of local school systems. His dedication to his church family, local service groups and really anyone around. Read more>>

Diamond Mason

My mother, Carmelita, is my hero. To give you a bit of a back story, she became pregnant with me at the age of 16 in the 11th grade. During this time she continued to attend high-school and managed to graduate on time in 1998. From high-school she went off to College and has since earned her Bachelors and Master’s degree. She’s currently in school working on her 2nd Masters degree while also running her own tutoring business. The business is called “Kingdom Kids Early Learners” offering tutoring for grades Pre-K – 5th grade. Read more>>

Charde Walker

Each and every client who stepped foot into my office or met with me virtually are the true hero’s. Not because they chose me as their therapist but because they chose themselves. Healing is not linear and it takes a lot of courage to seek professional help. Their resilience and willingness to overcome life’s struggles is a true testament that it can and it will get better. Whenever I’m experiencing a personal struggle or a bump in the road, I remember the stories of those hero’s , who are trying to heal. Read more>>