Our stories are often hard to understand until folks understand our true motivations, our true drivers and the stories behind why our mission or purpose truly matters to us. We’ve asked some inspiring folks from the community to talk to us about why they do what they do and have shared some of our favorite responses below.

Nikki Jackson

The mission of Just A Queen With Goals Empowering Women is deeply rooted in my personal journey and life experiences. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the struggles that come with lack of resources, guidance, and support, particularly for women and underserved youth. These experiences shaped my perspective and planted a seed of purpose in me—a desire to create something meaningful that could help others overcome similar challenges. Read more>>

Lazandria Wilson

I would say the mission behind my social media platforms and writing my book is to not just inspire others but let little me know that all things are possible through Christ. Read more>>

Celeste Roberts

In general my mission in life is to leave less carbon footprint in our world. Up-cycling, repurposing and salvaging materials not only gives them a second life, but also prevents overflow in our trash on earth. Read more>>

Elizabeth Mahoney

The story behind my mission with Care x Elm is deeply rooted in my lifelong relationship with style and self-expression. Fashion has been woven into my life for as long as I can remember. It was a way I connected with my mother, grandmother and my great-grandmother. I learned early on that style is about so much more than what you wear. It’s a way to express who you are and show up confidently in the world. Read more>>

Alicia Jenkins

Alicia L. Jenkins Books was born out of a deeply personal journey of loss and transformation. After losing my son, Isaac, I sought a way to honor his memory and continue his legacy. Writing became my outlet, and soon, my books, “Isaac Can Do It” and “Isaac Breathes Through It,” became tools to teach children resilience, emotional intelligence, and self-confidence. This mission is meaningful because I know firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate life’s hardships, especially in underserved communities where resources are scarce. I want every child to feel seen, valued, and empowered through relatable stories and educational support. Read more>>

John Agbekponou

Our mission is to uphold security and privacy standards while fostering a culture of innovation that expands the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare. This mission stems from our belief that technological security and innovation are crucial for transforming healthcare in meaningful ways. Our journey began with a simple yet profound realization that the healthcare industry today faces two key challenges: data vulnerability and reluctance to adopt necessary changes. When a loved one’s medical data was compromised, it revealed not just a loss of privacy but also a significant loss of trust in the healthcare system. Many of our team members experienced firsthand the difficulties of navigating outdated, convoluted hospital systems, and witnessed how the lack of innovation hindered patient care. We knew there had to be a better way. Read more>>

Philippa Portnoy

The mission behind LaunchBreak is to propel women’s athletes in their professional lives. LaunchBreak is a free networking and shared-interest platform for athletes who play/ed women’s sports at the collegiate, national or professional level. Mentoring and supporting women’s athletes has been a passion of mine since graduating from college. I was a member and co-captain of the newly-formed Columbia-Barnard tennis team. Our team didn’t have many resources nor a large alumnae network. This inspired me to work to improve the landscape for future generations. I was the first female president of the Columbia Athletics alumni organization, the Varsity C Club. Also, I co-founded the Columbia Athletics Women’s Leadership Council which has raised $10M for the athletics program and assists women in their post-athletic careers. Read more>>

Jane Jaskevich

I am an artist so I suppose creating art is my mission. It is not something I do it is who I am. It makes me whole and sane. The act of creating a sculpture not the finished product is what is most important to me. People will many times say how can you part with one of your creations but that is not how I feel at all. I love for someone else to want my work and have it give them joy since the creation of it has already done that for me. I like the artworks to leave me so I can move on to the next unveiling of a new piece. Creating art is like solving a puzzle. Your mind is constantly working for the best combinations. It is as if you give up control to your creative self. Read more>>

Savannah Robertson

The mission of Love Your Body Now is to empower women to heal their relationship with their bodies and build confidence from within. This mission was inspired by my experience working in the fitness industry as a health coach, guiding countless women on their health journeys. What stood out to me was a recurring theme: many women were pursuing health and fitness from a place of self-hatred rather than self-love. Read more>>

Risa August

My mission is to draw attention to Pituitary tumors through story and inspirational speaking. However, my goals are many and my quest is multidimensional. This journey began in 2018 when I was training to become a Gestalt practitioner and was later diagnosed with a tumor at the base of my brain and a life-altering disease. My life would never be the same. I would never be the same. Read more>>

Nakeesa Frazier-jennings

As a business consultant who is also a visual artist manager, my mission is to provide authentic, inclusive, partnership with my clients and anyone else I do business with. The reason that authenticity is important to me is because I value people who are genuine and real and I want everyone I interact with to receive that from me. Being inclusive is something that I must prioritize because I believe that most of the issues we have as humans come from excluding certain people and/or groups from various parts of society. As a Black human, I have experienced first hand how biases, belief in stereotypes, and downright racism has caused people, systems, and institutions to exclude me either partially or completely. I want to do my best not to ever make other people feel that way and beyond that, I truly believe that including people from various backgrounds, perspectives, belief systems, etc. makes my experience as a business owner and a human being more rich. I received much of my hands-on experience as a consultant in the visual arts world and I have partnered with my husband to plan exhibits and various product lines for many years. Read more>>

Adriana Brown

My mission at Adriana Brown Art is to make others feel seen, heard, and inspired through my artwork. During my years working in the mental health field, I witnessed the incredible healing power of art—whether through the act of creating or deeply connecting with an artwork. Supporting others has always been at the heart of what I do, both as a mental health professional and as a friend, family member, and community member. It feels natural to carry that passion into my business. What truly motivates me is seeing people connect emotionally with the art I create. It’s an honor to be part of those vulnerable moments and to contribute to their healing journey. Read more>>

Dora Farkas

As a single mom of two girls, I understand the challenges of balancing motherhood, career, and personal well-being. The journey has not been easy, but it has shaped my mission to empower women—especially mothers—to take control of their careers, their health, and their lives. Raising two children alone, navigating custody battles, and managing the demands of everyday life have taught me resilience. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, questioning if I could do it all and do it well. But through these experiences, I learned that I didn’t have to choose between being a good mother and having a fulfilling career—I could do both. And so can other women. Read more>>

Neysa Garcia-muhammmad

My mission is to bridge the gap between business, wellness, and the Black feminine experience. This unique perspective is one that isn’t talked about enough. In the coaching and personal development space, there is a lot of conversation about the law of attraction or on the more practical side…habit stacking and bio-hacking. Everyone has an opinion about how to be the most productive, successful, and happy. Read more>>

Maradona Tinker

My mission with @BahamaMara is to inspire Bahamians to reconnect with the natural beauty and cultural richness of our homeland. Through my content, I want to encourage the locals to see the The Bahamas not just as a place to work but as a source of joy, adventure, and pride. By sharing my experiences, my goal is to foster a sense of belonging and appreciation for the vibrant landscapes and unique vibes our islands offer. I also want to invite the world to join in on the fun and see just how special the Bahamas truly is. Read more>>

Owen Hunt

The story behind my mission involves struggle and frustration mostly. I was a depressed bartender when I found a mystical book that opened my mind to the possibility that my life could have a deeper meaning. I didn’t understand that I could have a strong sense of purpose and I had no idea that I could find a way to lead a fulfilling life that was win-win-win. Read more>>

Jon Freeze

My goal/ mission is to simply create and give the people something they can create and feel something from the photographs. Whether that is portrait work or candid photographs, I simply want to invoke emotion into the person that sees my work. Read more>>

Jessica Lugo

We are the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), a network of people and institutions that since 1992 has been working in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and more recently in Latin America and the Caribbean. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and improvement of theological education and its impact on the lives of individuals, churches and communities. Read more>>

Brandy Hernandez

For me, as a writer and visual creative, one of my biggest motivators is simply the fact that I have the privilege of being able to pursue what I love and what I want to do. Whenever I think about my life in a bigger scale and out of the context of my own bubble, I realize how insane it is that I’ve come this far. Both of my parents are Mexican immigrants, and most of my family didn’t grow up with the ability or the possibility of being able to pursue something creative or do something that they liked, they just needed to figure out how to survive. And my brother was a drummer, but life took him in a different direction and he ended up not being able to pursue a musical career. I’m one of the few people in my immediate and extended family that has a college degree, and I’m fairly certain I’m the only one pursuing a career in a creative field. So the fact that I’m able to do this is insane to begin with, and it’s what really pushes me to go forward and want to succeed. I want to do film and creative work not just because I love it, but because I’ve beaten all the odds to get where I am, and it would insane to just let all that effort- both mine and my family’s- go to waste. Read more>>

Muge Cizgenakat

As a designer and entrepreneur with nearly 25 years of experience, my mission has always been to bridge the gap between local craftsmanship in Turkey and the global market. I focus on showcasing jewelry, accessories, and clothing that are not only handmade but also embody the unique stories and artistry of their creators. This mission is deeply personal to me because I’ve walked the challenging path of nurturing a new brand, navigating the dual roles of both artist and businesswoman. Read more>>

John Harmon

Are you tired of the endless hassle and uncertainty of getting your car repaired? In a world where car repairs often seem like a daunting and opaque process, ObiiGO was born out of a singular mission: to bring transparency, convenience, and trust back into the automotive service industry. The journey began with a simple, yet powerful idea inspired by a frustrated customer. She had spent an entire day driving from repair facility to repair facility, searching for a repair quote. The endless traffic and time it took just to get three quotes highlighted a glaring inefficiency in the system. It was in this moment of frustration that the spark for ObiiGO was ignited. Read more>>

Justin Acosta

I never imagined being so vocal about mental health when I myself hid it from my friends and family for so many years. From the outside looking in I was everything a guy my age was supposed to be—I was outgoing, had a good job, had my degrees, a house with a backyard for the dogs—yet I was unhappy and couldn’t figure out why. Read more>>

Dylan Martinez Meggerson

The mission of D2 is to bring the world together through sports by creating an inclusive and positive environment for athletes of all ages and abilities. I started D2 Sports because I grew up determined to be a professional soccer player. It was my dream, my passion, and everything I cared about. While life didn’t take me down that path, it gave me an opportunity to find a new way to be part of the game I love. Soccer is the beautiful game—the world’s game—and I want to use it to bring people together. Read more>>

Nadia Warshavskaya

The seeds of my mission were sown during a transformative trip to Turkey, where I first discovered the magic of yachting. What began as a casual experience quickly turned into a calling, propelling me into the world of sailing and hospitality. From captaining 42-foot sailing yachts to organizing bespoke charter experiences, I immersed myself in the nuances of yachting, building a foundation for what would become a career driven by passion and purpose. Read more>>