The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across Alabama below.
Mariah Dunn
Creativity was encouraged in my family household, we all were free to express ourselves, so my artist journey starts in the 3rd grade. I would trace My Little Pony drawing books and learn how to draw from that. Fast forward, I began animating and started a YouTube channel about 11 years ago, I gained 3,000 subscribers through animation then took a hiatus. Read more>>
Victor Roberts
I didn’t start VR2 Technology because I wanted a “tech company.” I started it because I saw a gap in Ozark that nobody else was filling. I want to be the person people call when their systems broke, when their kids need tech exposure, when a business needs a website, when someone needs a gaming setup, when a community needs a spark. Read more>>
Charles Pruitt
Hi! I am from Birmingham, Alabama originally. All my life I knew that my purpose lives within my talents and skills. It’s always been my way to express myself and expressing myself boldly has always been my style. I graduated from Lawson State Community College where I studied Music. Read more>>
Jadah Derice
My name is Jadah Derice and i’m 25 years old. I’m an upcoming artist from Birmingham, Alabama. I started writing songs at the age of 6, i would randomly make up songs off the top of my head and it kinda just stuck. Read more>>
Brittney-Jo Bassham
I got started in this industry via my father, he always was tattooing at home in our living room. Once I noticed that he could do art on people for ever, I thought that that was the way I wanted to go. Read more>>
Keldrick Purifoy
KD Media and Photography LLC is a creative media company focused on delivering high-quality photography and visual storytelling services. The business was founded with a passion for capturing meaningful moments and helping individuals, brands, and businesses present themselves professionally through compelling imagery. Starting out, KD Media and Photography LLC built its foundation by working with local clients, covering events, portraits, and small business branding projects. Read more>>
Brenden Barraza
I have been shooting photographs coming up on ten years now, which is kind of astonishing to think about. A decade of creating… what a privilege it’s been to stay with it this long. My photography journey began with an older cousin gifting me a Canon AE-1 (35mm film) camera when I was a teenager and toying around with my family’s point-and-shoot on various occasions. Read more>>
Beverly Johnson
My journey has been one of reinvention, resilience, and learning how to redefine wellness from the inside out. Professionally, I’ve built a career as a program manager while also serving as a certified health coach, speaker, and wellness advocate. Read more>>
Will Meadows
I was born and raised in the cattle industry with a passion for agriculture coming from the very start. I began my social media venture in 2022 with the mindset of just wanting to show what goes on everyday. I did it in hopes to show what 2% of the population does to feed the other 98%. Read more>>
Shamica Wilson
I’m a natural hairstylist and entrepreneur behind 2XX The Beauty, XXcollective LLC where I specialize in braid styles while building a beauty brand that extends beyond the chair. Growing up, I was always doing hair, and by high school I was styling family and friends regularly. After graduating, I worked traditional jobs while doing hair on the side. Read more>>
Brandon Matthews
I have always felt the most fulfilled helping others find fulfillment. I want to leave the people and the places I go better than I found them. Ultimately, I want to make a difference. This is why I’m passionate about doing what I call, bringing meaning back to the marketplace. Read more>>
Jasmine Najee
It’s hard to pinpoint a starting point for me. I can honestly say my life took a turning point after my second child was born. Although the most beautiful experience you can ever imagine, I suffered postpartum depression as many mothers do; followed by being diagnosed with Skin Cutaneous Lupus & Alopecia. Going through this experience I completely felt like my existence was wiped away, my complete existence. I lost myself, my job, friends & every since of security I had. It was hard, we’ve all faced hardships and setbacks; this one was just so hard. Out of that I started over. It took 2 years but I fought daily. I thought deeply about which direction I wanted my life to go in, especially for my children. I literally rebuilt myself up again to overcome obstacles & adversity with confidence. It was possible with the support of my husband, loved ones & a lot of prayer warriors. Read more>>
