We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes.

Ryan Myers

Obviously, there are people like my mom and other family members I look up to in that sense, but if I were talking about more noticeable figures, I’d probably say Pharrell Williams. Growing up, I used to want to be Pharrell. I would wear a fedora, want Ice Creams and even dream of having Bape because of him, but if we’re talking on a more personal level, I really appreciate his love and passion for everything he puts his hands on and his mindset is so strong it’s genuinely impressive to me. Almost everything I do, whether it’s for my music or for the upcoming brand I’ve been working on, I always tend to look towards Pharrell as a reference. Read more>>

Jessica McDermott

I have several heroes who have shaped my life in different ways, but without question, my biggest hero is my mom. She is the very definition of a resilient woman. I genuinely believe she has supernatural strength—physical, emotional, and spiritual. When I think of the scripture “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), I see my mom as the living, breathing example of that verse. Read more>>

Michael Prieto

I don’t want to sound corny or anything, but my hero is my dad. My father worked as a mechanic for Lexus for about 30 years, maybe more. What makes him my hero is his tenacity and willingness to work for free for others. Any friend of mine has car troubles, my dad is there. He never asks them for money or anything in return. It’s funny because he will never mention a payment, but I could tell this person is itching to bring up the topic of payment because they feel he deserves it. If anything, he’ll buy you food while he’s taking a break. It’s that type of selflessness that I wish I could have acquired from him. Read more>>

Eleanna Finokalioti

One of my heroes is Frida Kahlo.
I always admired her strength, the power of her mind, the liberation of her spirit and the drive she had.
Last but not least her modern attitude toward sexuality has impacted LGBTQIA+ community.
Her openness around female sexuality, her free spirit and character has made her an icon for me since my early years. Another one is Jack Kerouac, who I admire for his liberal and spontaneous mind. Read more>>

Mark Sposato

My answer to this question hasn’t changed since childhood: my dad is my hero. Both of my parents are artists and graphic designers, who fostered my creativity from day one. My mom was endlessly supportive and nurturing, and immensely talented herself. My dad, a teacher as well as an award-winning practitioner, shaped my understanding of what it means to be a creative professional. Read more>>