Buzz Magazine Atlanta

I started off in the art world as a “late bloomer”. Art did not come into my life until the age of 15. I saw a picture of tweety bird and drew it based on memory. It was not too bad but that’s where i gained my interest in art. My first art class was my senior year of high school in 2012 and from there I knew I was gifted. I was more interested in how to put art on the computers versus drawing on paper and I knew graphic design was my passion. I attended Middle Tennessee State University for ONE semester and it taught me more of how to draw on paper with charcoal and multiple gradients. I had to learn the basics before I could even touch a computer and that was ultimately frustrating because I wanted to immediately get into graphic design.

However, that broaden my horizons to want to try EVERYTHING!! Soon after, I attended Columbus State University where I changed my major from graphic design to fine arts so that i could learn everything. Freshman year was incredibly tough because the teaching was different, it was more vigorous, and the professors did not take it lightly on anyone. I dabbled in graphic design, ceramics, painting, film and back full circle. I also attended YouTube University as I called it; if i could not figure it out from my professors I went to YouTube and figured it out.

My junior year of college I entered into a Juried Exhibition with one of my films. The film included a voicemail of my mother fussing but it showed pictures of my entire family and me walking on the sides. I remember one of my professors constantly asking me was I coming to the ceremony because I did not have any intentions on doing so. I arrived and the judge called my name for the Best of Show. I cried in my professors arms because that was the first art award I’ve ever won. That’s how I knew I was meant for art.

Furthermore, the years progressively became easier and I stuck with graphic design, film and painting. I graduated with my fine arts degree in 2017. Now, I create logos, paintings, I paint on clothing, shoes, I even make mini films. Also I stepped out on faith with Gods help and now I have my own company! I worked hard since I was a teen and now it’s finally paying off. Continue Reading Meet Kyshmah “Keke” McNeill of Lowkey Dope

I discovered my passion for cake decorating while I was employed as a bakery wrapper. I found it so satisfying to watch the cake decorators design cakes and cupcakes using 95% icing. One day, my manager at the time, asked me if I’d be interested in becoming a cake decorator. Shortly after, she alllowed me to take home a piping bag filled with icing and a few pastry tips to practice at home. The bakery was very fast paced so my time being cross trained on the job was actually very slim. I’ve always been a visual learner so watching and practicing on my own played a major part of building the skills I needed to become a cake decorator. I was promoted from bakery wrapper to a cake decorator. I was so happy. Decorating relaxed my mind and I loved it. Bakery was very fast paced due to the volume of customers and orders we received. My downfall was rushing. Having to rush to decorate cakes and have them ready on time began to effect my mental health. I could no longer deal. It became too stressful to the point where my physician recommended I find a less stressful job or position. My previous position had been filled and I had no interest in any other department within the company so I had no choice but to leave. Bittersweet moment. My new job wasn’t paying as much as my previous job was and a good friend of mine suggested that I start decorating cakes from home for additional income. I gave it a try with no hesitation because I have three daughters that depend on me to provide for them. I slowly began taking my business seriously. I gave my business a name, purchased a logo, ordered business cards, got a business license, got ServSafe certified etc. and here I am nominated for this interview. Continue Reading Meet Keosha K of Kakes by KeO

When I became pregnant with my son, Gunner – there were groups for women who had children, but all they consisted of were formula, breastfeeding, diaper brand preferences, etc. but none of them really dug into the true hurdles and difficulties of being a parent. Especially being a minority. I was exhausted with seeing mother’s suffering from situational poverty, relying solely on government assistance & also the utter lack of having a village / sisterhood that you could have at arms reach. I wanted less talking, and more action. Continue Reading Meet Bella Licciardi of Mom Mob

? I started singing on stage since I was 3 years old. My first ever performance was at my church, and I still remember to this day being up there singing, how it felt, and how (even then) I knew music was going to be my life. I was heavily influenced by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Sandi Patti, Aretha Franklin, Etta James and Christina Aguilera growing up. I love singing with soul, with a big presence and commanding the attention and emotion of an audience. I sang regularly for many high profile events locally growing up, attended a prestigious performing arts high school (Dreyfoos School of the Arts), won best vocalist in state in 10th grade, and moved to NYC the day I turned 18 to attend a performing arts college and audition for Broadway. Less than a year later I found myself performing the lead role in the European tour of the Broadway musical “Fame”. Everything really started snowballing for me after that.

I never set out to coach. My plan was to be a singer my whole life and that alone. But no matter where I went, every time I would sing somewhere, people would come up to me after and ask if I taught lessons. My answer was always “no” until one day when I finally decided to say “yes”. I began coaching during the day and started small in my house. Once I had so many people in and out that my carpet was getting black, I rented a space from the church I was attending. Then I hired and extensively trained my first coach to work under me. After a short time, I had more coaches working at the church for me than the church had working in the music ministry! At that point I finally got a space of my own and we have been flourishing and thriving there ever since. But none of that was easy and it took a lot of courage, a lot of risk and a lot of grit to see it all through. Out of all that sacrifice came the greatest gift…and it keeps on giving! I have had coaches and students come to me saying how the environment and culture at TSS is special. That they feel at peace and at home here. It makes my day every single time. TSS is more than a business, it is a family. My coaches stick around after they’re finished working just to chat or jam or work on their craft like they’re in their own living room. Students post about how excited they are about coming to lessons and all the wonderful new things they’re learning. It’s a really special place. Hearing a singer who once sang quietly with no confidence, belt out a power ballad with their arms raised to the sky never gets old and is such a special sight to see. It’s what we as coaches live and breath for. Continue Reading Meet Tara Simon of Tara Simon Studios

Trials, tribulations, and triumphs. I grew up with my mama on the southside of Atlanta, (CLAYTON CO.) and my little brother. I’ve grown up with the skin condition vitiligo. I always had a passion for music and film. A couple bumps and stumbles along the way but I’m still here. God is goo Continue Reading Meet 2wotone of 100 House Entertainment

I am a first generation high-school and college graduate and the first in my family to attend grad school. Education has always been important to me but I have been even more amazed by the influence teachers and other service field individuals had on me growing up. So I knew I wanted to impact people’s lives just like they did.

I went into the field of Sociology where I got to learn so much about our social world and I was intrigued.

While in college I joined several organizations, the most impactful was the Odyssey.

It’s a writing platform with several topics and I wrote on many social issues a lot of which pertained to modern dating.

The opportunity to write a book came along and I knew I had to take it. It would be a chance to showcase a topic I wanted people to read about and learn from, that’s when Smart Swipe came along.

As I experienced college there was one phenomenon that was happening to me and a hundred other students, that was the hookup scene. Sex was always a hush hush type of subject and I had feared being called derogatory names for enjoying sex.

When I started to think about why we think of sex as such a taboo subject I looked back at my sex Ed classes, the media and how people spoke of it. They made sex to be such a bad thing with only consequences attached to it.

I knew that needed to change, and writing this book was going to help me.

It was going up conversation about the college hookup scene and what it means to be sex positive . All I had to do was start the conversation and build off of what’s already out there. Continue Reading Meet Valerie McPherson of Author of Smart Swipe

The Bearded Therapist is a brand that I founded in July 2019. To start, I think that it is significant to discuss the meaning behind the name of the brand and how the name came about. As you can see, I sport a pretty cool beard and I’ve had the pleasure of working as a therapist on an ongoing basis from a professional perspective. Therefore, in that sense I wanted the brand to be a blend of who I am from a personal perspective as well as aspects of who I am from a professional perspective. By marrying the two, I was able to develop a brand that I’m truly proud of and that I feel the community could benefit from as a whole. Through the brand, I aim to shed a new light on what mental health is and why it is important for us to truly embrace taking care of ourselves more intentionally from a mental health perspective.

Mental health is a topic that has been viewed or perceived as taboo from some time now especially when you consider from differing cultural standpoints. As I was growing up, mental health is not something that was discussed much and it was not until I was older that I truly understood how much our mental health could impact our overall quality of life. Once I started to take my mental health more seriously, I started to see positive changes within my life as well as how I viewed and handled day-to-day life. Therefore, I decided to develop The Bearded Therapist brand as a way to provide positive exposure to mental health awareness along with changing perspectives on what mental health truly is. Continue Reading Meet Donterio Smith of The Bearded Therapist

Four years ago, I quit my corporate job of two years to pursue my vision of Occipital Media. Reflecting on when I first started, I realize now, I experience a profound passion for the connection the avenue that marketing offers business owners. To me, crafting the right message has the potential of enhancing the community supporting a brand. When you invest in your community, you are investing in yourself. You are investing in your dream and the dream of others. Continue Reading Meet Miranda Marshall of Occipital Media

‘You’ll never amount to anything.’ are the words that I recall decades later that a teacher said to me in 10th grade. They must have had an impact because the voice that rang those words in my ear have yet to be forgotten.
When I was in my early 20’s, another voice echoed similar words. Words that hurt from someone I met. And trusted.
‘You’re a slow learner.’ Yes, this too became words in the book of my story.

In the midst of these bruises & scars, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biology. And later, I earned my MBA with a concentration in health services. In the process of earning my Masters Degree; it became important, almost crucial, for me to organize a non-profit geared towards teens in 2009. To help them navigate and arrive at their successful destinations. To show them how to transform dark spaces into workrooms of progress.

Then, 2020. A Global Pandemic. Society is shaken to its core around the globe. I looked around and discovered the purpose of my plight. I hold a strategic position in Public Health. I impact communities around the world. I am
steadfast. Words don’t scare me. I stand strong against invaders that threaten our existence.

Now I can say Thank You. Thank you to the words that tried to hinder my flight. Thank you for strength & courage from the battles. Thank you. Thank God for an inner yearning for the Sciences that put me on a path to here.
Changing the world for the better. Strong. I did amount to something. I became a Butterfly, Anyway!

I stand for STEAM because STEAM stood for me. I am here. Gliding on the wind with scarred wings that turned Sacred. My promise is to empower Teens in avenues of STEM. To mentor. To demonstrate. To encourage. To let them know high flight is theirs despite perceived fears or failures. To show them to use every bit of everything they have & make it benefit their futures. To develop their wings. To Serve. To Soar. To Fly! Continue Reading Meet Philana Swann of Be-Ruth Foundation (Formerly Ruth4Kids)

I would have never imagined that I would have became a counselor, but I don’t believe anything happens coincidentally. All I knew growing up is that I loved to learn and I wanted to help people. Growing up was difficult for me when I look back on my journey. I didn’t know what I had experienced was so common for people in the black culture. Being belittled by my parents, not being validated, and downright emotional abuse. All I could think about was, I don’t want my children to feel this way when I have a turn to parent. I want them to have a different experience than me. I didn’t know much about parenting myself, but I knew that something had to change. A lightbulb went off for me when I took my first psychology class in college. I thought I was supposed to be a pharmacist but that class got me hooked and I couldn’t let go. I wanted to learn the reasons behind why people do what they do. I wanted to soak it up. I went on to obtain my bachelor’s in psychology and ended up with a master’s in both psychology and counseling. I knew that I really want to help my community and my culture. I want those who experienced what I have gone through to heal and grow. I became hell-bent on learning all that I could about trauma and how generational trauma unfolds. I now specialize in trauma as a mental health therapist helping women break unhealthy generational cycles to rewrite not only their narratives but for their families and communities, because once they understand and know better ways to communicate with one another, parent and show compassion they can help generations to come to do the same. Continue Reading Meet Shae Ivie-Williams of Shae Nicole