Stories are incredibly powerful – their ability to teach, inspire, and create understanding is why we are so in love with storytelling. Most stories have a defining moment and so we’ve asked some of the most talented, insightful folks across a broad range of industries and markets to tell us about a defining moment in their story.

Lauren Suttell

More like a series of defining moments…when I was a little girl, my parents had gotten me The Value Books. A series of childrens books written by Ann Donegan Johnson which told the tales of various instrumental people who have impacted the world. I remember reading The Value of Compassion: The story of Florence Nightingale which was one of my first memories of ever wanting to become a nurse. Read more>>

Andi Byers

On March 10, 2020 I suffered from a sudden cardiac arrest. That morning I spent my time getting ready, picking myself apart as I got dressed, looked in the mirror and drove to work. I had not spoken to myself kindly that day or any previous day for that matter. God took me for 38 minutes. Read more>>

Terie Boles

Since my last interview with Voyage/Atl, my practice expanded with more families seeking out homebirths. As an independent Midwife in a state that doesn’t honor or recognize homebirth or midwifery this increase provided the care and support that black/brown families are not receiving in our medical institutions. With the national closings of hospitals, OB care and deserted rural areas women and their families are now seeking out care providers that support their choices. Read more>>

Holly Brewer

My defining moment comes down to something simple: driving with my right foot. I was born with a mild form of cerebral palsy that left me with functional limitations on the right side of my body – meaning anything that required fine motor skills (i.e. writing, driving, picking up small objects) was completely reliant on my left side. Even after years of physical therapy, I was unable to achieve any significant improvement beyond basic movement patterns. Read more>>

Marionna Upkins

A definite defining moment in my my career was when I former classmate asked me to assist with a client of hers. It turned out to be Cassie Davis! I did the signature kinky twist style to her hair. She was super cool and down to earth. Even cooked breakfast for me and engaged in conversation. As a celebrities usually seem rude in person…it really felt like I was just at my auntie’s house. I’ll always cherish that moment too because when she gave me that tip I knew then I was deserving and my craft was a blessing from the most high! Read more>>

Dr. Adwoa Akhu

The defining moment that focused my career on Black women’s mental health was experiencing overwhelming toxic stress in 2008. In that one year, I: got remarried, bought a new home, and relocated; I could not sell my old house, so I became a landlord, relocated my private practice, got pregnant, went on bed rest (which is not restful), had a premature baby and, if that was not enough, someone in my nuclear family was diagnosed with cancer. Read more>>

Dominique Kristina

BrayAngel Organization, LLC  Motto: Be The Voice Of Change Read more>>

Alex Robinson

Yes. My plan for my professional career for many years was to gain an associate degree in Nursing. I was an exam and final semester shy of completing the two-year degree when I made a decision to step back, due to not wanting to risk my GPA and fail. I was supposed to return and complete the program, but I got a wreck less driving conviction. Read more>>

Natha Perkins

I was 18 and, in a relationship. I didn’t like who I had become in this partnership- I was argumentative, my feelings were hurt easily, and I was unreasonable. I would slam the door on my way out and just leave mid conversation. Read more>>

David Essel

In 1990, I had a failed suicide attempt, and it radically changed my life forever! At that time I was already a counselor, executive coach, am I doing the work that I love so much… But I had denied the underlying depression and anxiety that I had for years, and had been covering it up with alcohol. Read more>>

Juanita McClain

A defining moment in my career was the the moment I chose to quit my job of two year as a teachers aide to go back to school and focus on getting my Masters degree in earth science education. As a young adult my dreams and aspirations didn’t seem to be of relevance due to me being constantly I’ll from sickle cell disease. Read more>>

Jessica Klain

I’ve always known what I wanted to do when I grow up – be a physical therapist. My career pathway started at age 10 when I first volunteered at a hospital and then continued with various internships in high school and college. After 7 years of undergraduate + graduate school, I was officially a Doctor of Physical Therapy! Read more>>

Aurelie Weinstein

I have been working as a full-time lecturer in Psychology teaching undergraduate and graduate students child Psychology courses for several years. Students were learning children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. I also was doing research on resilience in children. Read more>>

Leigh Zydonik

In 2007 I found myself back in my hometown with my two young sons after an unexpected turn in life events. I was jobless, carless, living with my parents, and still in shock of how I arrived in this position. I distinctly remember coming across a motto that I still live by today. “Bloom where you are planted.” I made the decision then, that if I didn’t like where I was, it was up to me to turn it into something special. Read more>>