Often, those who tread off the beaten path are misunderstood or mischaracterized and so we asked folks from the community to reflect and tell us about the times they’ve been misunderstood or mischaracterized.

Helena Urban

A lot of people think modeling is not a real career, that it’s easy to just sit there and get your picture taken. We as models are constantly being judged, critiqued and picked apart by the way we look. This career is not for everyone, and not everyone is willing to put in the work to be good at this. Read more>>

Marvin Lattimore

Back in high school, I always enjoyed reviewing movies, music, and anime. I would annouce street ball games in parks in NYC. However, while living in the hood, talking about anime was taboo. It was hard to find a place to be comfortable being a Nerd or just talking about what you like. So I learned the tools of starting an audio and video podcast and tried to make something that blends both worlds. Read more>>

TC Carruthers

Coming from Memphis, I feel like you’re expected to look and act a certain type of way. Growing up, I knew that I was different but I couldn’t exactly put my finger on what being different meant at the time. I knew that I didn’t want to fit into anyone’s stereotype or idea of who I should be, but I didn’t know where to start when it came to breaking free from those traditional standards. Read more>>

Katie Alden

I had been misunderstood my entire upbringing and early professional career as a young female in the creative space. As someone who was raised in a very conservative and religious family, I was told to not show off my body, not be overly sexy/sexual and that if you’re too friendly, men will take advantage of you. Read more>>

Sprinter Harris

Of course I do. Being the type of creative that I am has made it hard for me to be accepted by everyone as a real artist. When you have developed a name for yourself in another industry then decide to pursue another passion of yours you are easily discredited for your work. Read more>>

Carla Jara

Being a queer fangirl of color is an extremely powerful thing, however there’s people who can’t see the value we bring to the music industry. While the industry changes every day, it’s no secret that women of color are the minorities in this field. Read more>>

Pam Johnson

I have been misunderstood and mischaracterized during the first 3 years of my creative career. I am an older Model/Hostess/Promoter/Radio Personality/Artist Developer just to name a few more things. As a teen and young adult, I always loved modeling, acting in stage plays and dancing on stage during her informative years but felt a sense of reluctance due to my shyness. Read more>>

Simona Berger

Well, I am a Fine Art and Conceptual Portrait photographer. Among other things, I shoot nudes. Misunderstanding and mischaracterizations are a norm for me, especially once people realize I have a 9-year-old daughter. Read more>>

Dee Drenning

I would have to say that the two best investments I’ve made, in my life and in my career, were serving in the Navy and going back to school. I chose two, because I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish the second without the first. I enlisted in the Navy in 2009 as a Cryptologic Linguist and served six years. Read more>>

Samara Ash