We asked some very thoughtful members of our community to reflect on what they’ve learned from their heroes.

Natalie Lauf

My parents are my heros. They raised me to believe I could do and be anything I wanted as long as I worked hard. They taught me that nothing in life will be handed to you and you have to work for the things you want. I get my work ethic from my father who has worked his whole life to get where he is through hardship and struggle to keep a roof over my brother’s and my heads. My mother is my best friend and through out my life she has taught me that everyone is going through things and you should always be kind and lend a hand when you can. I would not be who I am today without them. Read more>>

Will Campos

One of my heroes in life and in history is Muhammad Ali. Not only is he one of the best boxers, if not the best ever, in the modern history of the sport, but he fought for the rights of African Americans at one of the most difficult eras of injustice against people of color. His title was taken from him by the government, but that did not stop him from bouncing back and climbing the mountain again to regain it. All while fighting his own social, legal, and religious battles outside the ring. He is the true definition of perseverance, resilience, and what having the heart of a fighter means in life. Read more>>

VAU Studio

I greatly admire a collective of visionary women artists whose courage, innovation, and persistence have profoundly shaped my understanding of creativity and purpose. Eva Hesse, Carmen Herrera, Agnes Martin, and Anni Albers each forged their own radical paths in the visual arts—often against the grain of a male-dominated art world that was not built to recognize or support their contributions. Their lives and work have become guiding lights for me, offering not only inspiration but a deep sense of kinship and possibility as a woman navigating my own creative journey. Read more>>