Today we’d like to take a moment to applaud the parents who despite many challenges, did they best they could and did right by their kids. We asked folks to share stories of what they feel their parents got right and have shared highlights below.

Leah Leonard

I think I had great models growing up, and a really special community that instilled that they believed in me. I remember my grandfather, who was a school guidance counselor, driving Meals on Wheels when he was in his 80s for the ‘old people’, and meeting Russian Jewish refugees in his apartment that he was working to help resettle. I watched my own father go from an auto-parts repair shop owner to the COO of an international private equity firm – and then intentionally show his kids how he was doing his part as a philanthropist. My mom was generous with the priceless resources of time and attention – always showing up if I needed her. I think the seeds for my work today were absolutely planted by my parents and grandparents. Read more>>

Db Stewart

My parents put my brothers and I into piano lessons at an early age. Better yet, they put us in lessons with a gentleman named Ken Roberts who beautifully blended technique and theory with fun. Every recital was a PRODUCTION. He always had a theme and encouraged us to pick pieces that we were genuinely passionate about and encouraged us to be different. While some students were playing Für Elise, my brothers and I were playing songs by The Beatles and theme songs from James Bond, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings. The freedom to be ourselves and play the music we loved made both practice and performance fun and rewarding. Read more>>

Noemi Saafyr Paz

My parents did some horrible things, while also doing some amazingly resilient things as well. I am one of many survivors of sexual abuse starting within my home life, and outside of the home. At 16, I caught myself sexually projecting onto others. This led me to make a conscious shift for peace and clarity. I chose photography as my source of releasing and navigation. I joined a paid youth program in Boston by 17, and this radically changed my life. I found myself reporting all the abuse and trauma to the adults around me and they found legal support for me to leave right before turning 18, my parents agreed to emancipate me so that I could move onto my life journey. This has been pivotal as I instantly found a doorway to liberation. Read more>>

Chanel Rhodes

I was raised in a single-parent home by a wonderful, strong, intelligent, beautiful, wise, talented, and God-led mother, Valerie Griffin. As an active kid, I wasn’t the easiest to manage and often felt misunderstood by my classmates and a few of my teachers in elementary school. My mother was patient and loving, always striving to work with me. She took the time to understand my thoughts and nurture my creativity. Read more>>

Melissa Philippe

1. Emphasising Education: My mom always strongly emphasized the importance of education, not just academically but broadly. She was an educator in Haiti, so when we migrated to America, she encouraged me to read widely, ask questions, and seek understanding beyond the classroom. This instilled a lifelong love of learning, which is fundamental in my current role, where continuous learning is critical to adapting and providing valuable insights. Read more>>

Becca Hatlestad

I grew up with a mom who stayed home with us kids most of my growing up years, and a dad who worked hard as a computer programmer. Seeing my dad in his career doing something he loved always motivated me to continue working towards my passions in life. He always told me work was fun for him because he loved what he did…. And I too wanted that! I know this led me down the path of pursuing a career in nursing because I had a passion for helping others, and I had a knack for the science world. My mom, while she stayed at home, was an amazing support, and I truly do not believe I would be here on this path if it wasn’t for her. Read more>>

Alberto Jaen

Well, I actually got into advertising because my father worked in it, and he used to take me to commercial shoots. I remember one with a beautiful, orange light—they called it the ‘Miami light.’ I don’t know why, I must have been 10, but it stuck with me. Who would have thought that later it would become my home for many years… and indeed, its light is incredible. I think I’ve been lucky to be born into a family where both parents are very creative, passionate about art, and always discussing new ideas. My siblings and I always got help with our creative school projects, and our parents were constantly coming up with new ideas, whether for the home, weekend activities, or cooking. I believe my father instilled in me the value of hard work, willpower, and work ethic. Whatever we did, it had to be done well. And my mother is all about patience, public relations, and staying calm. As you age, you realize how important calmness is—it helps you think better, make better decisions, and move forward with intelligence. There were always guests at our house. Plus, my mother is a very good and creative cook, so there were times when you’d always find people coming over for lunch or dinner. The three of us turned out very creative: my brother is more business-focused, and my sister is into theater. Read more>>

Nyia Moore

Growing up with a single mom, I learned the power of resilience and self-belief early on. My mom always told me, “If you want something, go after it with everything you’ve got” and “How you do anything is how you do everything.” She taught me to be relentless in pursuing my goals, instilling the idea that I should be so good they can’t ignore me. She showed me that being outspoken and well-spoken was a strength and that my voice and ideas mattered. Read more>>

Jacquelynn Perkins

My parents demonstrated what sacrifice, dedication, and ingenuity look like when you stick to a personal dream, and then kept doing it anyway. In the 1970s, my parents left Iowa to start a waterbed company in Colorado.The furniture company was founded when I was one; I grew up knowing my parents’ dream was also our livelihood. It was a different time, yet still, my parents were different for their time, and this was so important to witness as a creative child. When we filled a waterbed mattress with helium to garner attention in the parking lot of our store in Boulder, CO, 1984, I knew I was going to be an artist. I watched my mom roller-skate in costumes decked out with elaborate sandwich signs she hand-painted to advertise the beds I watched my dad design and build. As the trend of waterbeds faded and most furniture manufacturing moved out of the U.S., our furniture company expanded and remains in Colorado. Growing up with creative entrepreneurs as parents set the foundation for my lifelong quest in the arts. Read more>>

Deborah Feathers

I was raised by a single mom who worked incredibly hard to support me through University because she valued education and wanted a better life for me. She believed that education was the key to opportunity and breaking through limitations, and she made countless sacrifices to ensure I could move forward. One thing she always said when challenges arose was, “We’ll figure it out.” Those words became a mantra in our home, guiding us both through tough times. One story that stands out is from my early college years. We didn’t have much, and paying for school was a huge challenge. While my mom didn’t cover my tuition directly, she took care of the essentials—rent, food, and other expenses—so I could afford to go to school full time without the added burden of a job. I knew the financial strain this put on her, and I worried about how we’d make it work. One evening, I voiced these concerns, even suggesting that maybe I should take a break or work full-time instead of going to school. She looked at me, smiled, and said, “We’ll figure it out.” Read more>>

Jawwaad Spann

Over the years, the dynamic between my mother and father has been a profound influence, creating a beautiful, vintage vibe. Their love, talent, morals, principles, finances, and spirituality have all shaped me into more than just a black man. This journey has distilled the beauty of my growth, shaping me into the man I am today. As a multidisciplinary artist, my childhood memories have made me more aware of my influences. From the intimate conversations in barbershops to performing alongside jazz greats like Wynton Marsalis, the African American culture of the west side of St. Louis has made me a student of art, jazz, fashion, and liberation.  Read more>>

Corina Sanchez

Imagine going from single-parenthood in Caracas, Venezuela, to immigrating to Seattle, Washington, to having two sons with autism, to getting diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and battling it courageously for 10 years – while growing in strength as this happened. This is who my mom was. She showed me how to rise up and face any circumstance that life would serve. Her and my dad instilled a sense of inner strength that has carried me through every challenge I’ve faced. Upon my mom’s passing, I made her a promise that her story would be known; that she would continue to inspire others as she had during her courageous fight. So instead of letting the sorrow overtake me, I turned it into a keynote speech about facing challenges with intention. Read more>>

Susan R. Kirshenbaum

Raised in an art centric family, I was encouraged to be an artist from my earliest memories. At five my parents started an art school and brought me and my siblings to work, allowing us to study art with young adults, and eventually completing a degree there. I was given full access to art supplies and equipment (35mm camera, darkroom, painting studio, and more). They also gave me my first travel experiences – including a 3 week family art tour of Europe that started me off on an art and travel path that I continue to enjoy to this day. Read more>>

Abby Clapper

I think of one thing above all: my parents took me traveling. Growing up in a small town in Wisconsin, it would’ve been easy for me to stay in a familiar bubble. But instead, from a young age, my parents opened my eyes to the world beyond our small community, taking me along on adventures big and small. It started as visiting my grandparents in states where they were snow-birding for the winters in Arizona or Texas. And it grew to fun trips as a family to Washington D.C., Chicago, Minnesota, California, and New York. Then, after college, I made the leap to move to Florida and have experienced so much since being here! Read more>>

Alisha Diggs

One of the most impactful things my parents did for me was expose me to different cultures and environments at an early age, which has shaped my perspective and entrepreneurial journey in profound ways. When I was 10 years old, I lived in Ethiopia for a year because my mother worked for the Civil Service College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, through a program that allowed U.S. professors to go to Africa. That experience opened my eyes to the beauty and richness of other cultures, but also to the challenges and hardships that many people face. For a young girl from the States, this was an eye-opening experience. I went to school there, made friends, and even learned some of the local language, Amharic. It was my first exposure to life outside of the comforts of home, and it taught me humility. Read more>>

Betania Murillo

I’m so grateful to have been raised by parents who never once made me doubt my capabilities, especially going into a creative field. I didn’t realize until I got older just how rare it is to have that kind of support from parents. I was always a creative and curious kid growing up so I had a new interest or obsession very frequently. I remember, even when times were tough financially, my parents doing what they could to provide me with any resources. Art supplies, a sewing machine, a video camera, dance classes, piano lessons, etc. all made my childhood the perfect training for my life as a freelance creative. Being raised by entrepreneurial and creative parents led to a lot of brainstorming sessions at the dinner table but God knew it was exactly what I needed and for that, I’m forever thankful. Read more>>

Daisia Glover

“You can do whatever you put your mind to.” This is a phrase my parents told me pretty much every day during my childhood. Through love, affirmation and action, my parents taught me to be confident in myself and my abilities. As I grew into an adult, the confidence they instilled in me helped me to take positive risks in my education and career. Of course, life throws its own curveballs at you and it can become easy to doubt yourself. Nonetheless, when the voice of doubt creeps in, I remind myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to. Starting my small business required me to set goals and bet on myself. It required me to buckle down and put my mind to it! Read more>>

Pamelar Hale

My parents were and are my greatest fans! They taught me the importance of self-reliance and working toward a goal. While I was a National Honor Student in high school, I struggled my freshman year of college due to the typical distractions of college life! My parents sat me down after that first year and told me that my dream was mine to achieve. Of course, they were there to support me, but the work has to come from me to achieve my dream of becoming a veterinarian. They were clear that they were living their dream and I had to buckle down and reach for my own. To grasp the dream with the day to day work. I went into my sophomore year determined to do better and I improved my grades for eventual acceptance into veterinary school after my junior year. I think of that life lesson often when I sometimes feel like giving up. One: be self-reliant, two- put in the work, three-don’t let others distract you from that path. I credit my parents for being supportive yet not coddling me. I learned from that lesson to not let obstacles deter me nor diminish the drive to reach a goal. Read more>>

Mike Mckeogh

My dad took a lot of risks, personally and professionally. He was in a helicopter filming Mt St. Helens as it was erupting. He drove 3000 miles away from his home to take his first real job in a news room. He started multiple businesses, many of which did not make enough money but he kept evolving. He continued to learn and bounced from one industry to another. It taught me to not be so worried. My mom paid for all my art classes as a kid and encouraged me to pursue it. My family is not concerned with practicalities, so I became a pragmatic artist, always trying to find the middle path. Read more>>

Genevieve May

I was brought up in a creative environment in the rural hills of Western Mass, born to award winning illustrators and authors, Dennis Nolan and Lauren Mills. I had a uniquely sheltered childhood in that our household had no television or computer. I went to a small school on a farm and during the summer months drew copies of Loomis and Da Vinci drawings. When I look back on my life, I see both my parents at their easels which were approximately five feet apart. They played classical music with the occasional Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan for some unexpected fun. We lived in a renovated tobacco barn which was converted into a large studio in the rural hills of Western Mass. Here is where I feel I learned not only my technical skills as an artist, but my long term intentions for career. My parents were both nourishing and informative. I admittedly was more drawn to theater and performance art as a child and even in my adulthood ended up going to music school before later transitioning into a more focused career in painting and fashion design. I am grateful for the countless hours they put into prepping my eye and showing me an admirable but realistic work ethic. This prepared me for a career dedicated solely to being authentic and having clarity in communicating my artistic interpretations. Although I do not consider myself a writer or an illustrator and am not in the same business field as they were, I feel that their support and belief in me has played a crucial role in my ability to fully embrace a vision and see it through. Read more>>

The Licata Brothers

We feel our parents found the right balance of giving us the freedom to pursue our interests but having enough discipline and structure to ensure that we stuck with it for a reasonable amount of time. When we were five and eight years old they saw we had an interest in music so they let us take music lessons but made sure we stuck with them for a full year. We felt this was smart because kids quickly change interests so having them stick with something long term gives them discipline to see commitments through to the end. This discipline and delayed gratification has given us a consistent work ethic in our career and got us through many obstacles because we knew they could be overcome if we continued to put in more time and effort. Read more>>

Rita Verreos

At the age of 5, inspired by renowed Prima Ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn (who was married to my mom’s cousin Tito Arias) I began to train to be a ballerina until at age 14 what could have been crippling Achilles tendón injury ended my dreams of becoming a professional ballerina. I would have probably fallen into depression had it not been for my most amazing mother, Raquel, who reminded me to have Faith in God’s plan. Looking back I know without a shadow of a doubt that my Faith in God gave me the strength to align myself with what God wanted for me. A few months later, I was spotted by the Venezuela Cónsul of SFO who suggested I consider competing in the Miss Venezuela Pageant. In my native country, Miss Venezuelas are very highly regarded and respected, not just for beauty, but for their intelligence. Read more>>

Paul Elliott

My parents both exposed me to a lot of great art, film, literature, and especially music. They showed me that art is not just for entertainment, but that it can truly move you and allow you to see truth and beauty in the world. Because of my parents, and I have a deep love and reverence for how powerful and valuable art can be, especially when it is done with great skill and care. I grew up with great music being played constantly. Both of my parents are musicians, and they showed me a huge variety of music. My dad loves music more than anyone I’ve ever met, and I would spend hours listening to music with him almost every day. My mom is an incredibly talented pianist, and she also has a great love for literature and film. At a young age, she showed me films like A Streetcar Named Desire and 2001: A Space Odyssey, and these films gave me a glimpse into the power of film as a medium. Read more>>

Sydney Kay

My parents allowed me to dream but pushed me to make my dreams a reality. Both of my parents came from humble beginnings and they both worked hard to allow me and my brother not have to worry about the simple things people take for granted about like food and shelter. When I told my parents I wanted to pursue a career in art, they were skeptical but helped me fund my dream in art school. They have always believed in me even when I didn’t, and that allowed me to push into a creative pathway even though that career path has and still isn’t the straightest path. Read more>>

Jessica Gallegos

I owe everything I am to my parents and the sacrifices they made for our family. From raising me with strong values that have shaped me as an adult to the financial and emotional challenges they faced when they made the difficult decision to send my siblings and me abroad for our education. They understood that graduating from an American university would open countless new opportunities for us, ones we might not have had otherwise. Their unwavering belief in our potential, along with the values they instilled in us over 17 years, provided a strong foundation that has guided us in making the right choices, even far from home. Read more>>

Meagan Montoya

My parents, who are both people of color, owned small businesses. My dad was a mechanic and owned an auto shop for many years and my mom, a cosmetologist, owned and operated salons and still works in one today. I watched from a young age how much hard work and dedication went into owning and operating a small business. They believed in building something and investing in themselves. They showed me that there were other paths outside of a traditional 9 to 5 that I could use my creativity and build something of my own to be proud of. Read more>>

Dominick Sparacino

You often hear stories of individuals who come from broken households. Stories of how they fought through adversity and built a better life for themselves through trials and tribulations. And although I won’t deny that I have had tests of adversity, I am extremely blessed to grow up in a very nurturing household. My parents have always encouraged me to do my best, no matter the pursuit. I grew up watching two people, who are madly in love with each other, lead by example. I grew up watching both of my parents work hard and love hard. My mother and father built the road map for how I want to be as a parent if I am ever lucky enough to have children. Read more>> 

Alie Byland

Before I ever had my own piano, I played with my grandparents old Hammond organ every time I went to their house to visit. My mom saw my interest and hid money away from the grocery budget to pay for my piano lessons. I could only go a few times before it got too expensive, but they changed the course of my entire life. Read more>>