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

Dani Shackleford

As cliche as it might be, my mother is my hero. She has the best spirit of determination, and has always been a silent risk taker. She’s from a generation of doers, and I love that about her. She’s taught me that when you want something, you go after it. It’s okay to fail, but you keep trying until you get it right, or to your satisfaction. I’ve always admired that about her, and I aspire to take risks without fear of failure just as she continues to do. Read more>>

Shania Thomas

My hero is my dad. When I sit back and think about everything that was meant to break him and keep him back, he always had a mind to be better than his situations and environments. My strength, my determination, my creativity, my entrepreneurial spirit all comes from my dad. Gui’Shani was my dad’s vision and what he started when I was a little girl. He always had a dream to have this brand with my brother and I name. Read more>>

POLINA YATSUK

In my teenage years, the show “America’s Next Top Model” aired on Russian television, quickly gaining popularity. I remember coming back from school and enthusiastically watching every episode. Back then, I couldn’t imagine that I would one day become a part of that world. I simply watched the show, envisioning myself in the shoes of those girls, but I never seriously considered it. It seemed unattainable to me. Tyra Banks was my idol. Read more>>

Dread Headd

My best friend, she taught me to never give up when things get hard. When I lost her, I lost myself and hit rock bottom, but I wouldn’t change a thing. If I could rewind, I would do it all over again. She was, and still is my motivation to keep making new music, to keep getting up every day, to keep going, and to keep doing shows. Read more>>

Tommesha Holt

Generally, I would describe my hero as the numerous matriarchal figures in my life due to the various examples they have set for me. They’ve taught me to live life as I see fit for myself at any given time and to understand that not everything is linear or a fairytale, but to embrace the beauty of that. Witnessing the diversity of their experiences and stories has profoundly influenced both my art practice and my life, which frequently involves an exploration of identity and a rebellion against societal norms. Read more>>