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.
Jessie Lynn® 
My journey has never really been a straight line—it’s been a collection of passions, opportunities, hard work, and a whole lot of faith. I grew up with a love for agriculture, horses, music, and serving others. That passion led me to earn degrees in agricultural communications and education, eventually earning my Ph.D. from Auburn University. Read more>>
Sharon Erskine 
My journey to Chevy Jean Designs began with someone very special to me—my Grand Dad He never called me Sharon; to him, I was always “Chevy Jean.” That nickname stayed with me and became a meaningful part of who I am. As I began creating and expressing myself through fashion, it felt only natural to carry that name into my business. Read more>>
Chasittie Tanner 
Our journey into making treats started with a love for baking, creating, and bringing joy to others through delicious desserts. What began as something we enjoyed doing quickly became a dream of turning our passion and creativity into something bigger. Along the way, life took us through some very difficult seasons. Read more>>
Raemi Wilson 
I went to school for music. I was on vocal scholarship in college and hated every minute of it. After a few months I decided I needed a career. I thought doing hair would be easy and fast money. I was so wrong, I had a lot to learn and quite a long way to go. I finished beauty school and moved to Birmingham, AL. Read more>>
Alexis Shackelford 
My story starts as a kid …a church kid! As a kid who grew up in the church I grew up fully submerged in music and the arts. I started out singing in the sunshine band and praise dancing. Once I started playing the trumpet at school, I was encouraged to bring my trumpet to church and it went from there! Read more>>
Pede P 
I began creating music back in middle school as a hobby. That hobby turned into a passion in high school, and from there I created the record label / lifestyle brand Real Street Dreamers in 2014. My older brother was a music engineer and musician himself so I was really just a product of my environment at a young age. Read more>>
Royal Tay 
My story honestly started with me just wanting a space where I could be myself, play games, laugh, talk, and connect with people. I don’t think I started streaming with this big master plan of where it was going to take me. Read more>>
Anna Gauldin 
United for the Kingdom: How Anna Gauldin and G Rated Co Are Bringing the Body of Christ Together in the Creative Space In an industry often defined by self-promotion and isolated competition, the Christian creative landscape is built on a different standard: laying aside division to advance one shared mission—Jesus and His Kingdom alone. Read more>>
Alexis Davis 
I started my journey as an esthetician five years ago, during a time when I knew I needed to make a major change in my life. I made the decision to quit my job because I realized I wanted and needed more, not just for myself, but for my daughter. Read more>>
Erica Farris 
I’ve always been a storyteller. I have a degree in Communications, and writing was probably my first real creative love, but my career has definitely not followed a straight line. I’ve worked in different roles and industries over the years, and somehow all those random experiences eventually started fitting together. Read more>>
ADYRE MASON 
Around the age of 30, I found myself having a lot of health issues- way more than I felt I should at that age. I was experiencing adult acne, horrible joint pain, high cholesterol, and severe stomach pains and bloating after eating certain foods. I was taking multiple medicines to try to combat all of these issues. Read more>>
Joy Brooks 
I started my handmade jewelry line in 2014. The name of that company is Lemonade. Lemonade because when life hands you lemons you make Lemonade. In simple I was in and out of the system growing up, suffered every form of abuse and still managed to make something beautiful out of a messy start! Read more>>
Olivia Anthony 
I’ve never been someone who waited for permission to start. I discovered my love for fashion and creative direction while attending Alabama State University, from interning in Los Angeles to styling and directing shoots for Elite, our campus fashion and modeling organization. Read more>>
Alisa Beck 
Today, I am a full-time studio artist, teacher, and arts advocate. I exhibit my work, teach workshops and ongoing classes, and create opportunities for other artists to learn, connect, and show their work. Over time, my studio practice and my work within the arts community have become deeply connected. I did not get here through one clear or direct path. Read more>>
Cameron Hodrick 
My name is Camo Hodrick, also known as 0fficialCamo. My journey has been built around creativity, content creation, marketing, entertainment, and leadership. I started creating content at a young age, using social media as a way to express my creativity and connect with people. Read more>>
Robert Crenshaw 
My story started in Birmingham, Alabama, surrounded by music. My mother, aunts, and grandmothers could all sing, while my father introduced me to jazz and artists like Kenny G. Music was always present in my life, but I didn’t immediately believe it was something I could seriously pursue. Read more>>
BubbieBeats 
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was constantly in and out of recording studios because my mom was an artist. Watching sessions, hearing records come together, and being surrounded by music every day is where my passion truly began. Read more>>
Tanjanica Crowder 
I received my first camera in the 7th grade—a pink Canon Sure Shot 35mm camera—and I immediately fell in love with photography. I remember looking at photos in books and magazines and completely getting lost in the moment. It wasn’t until years later, when I traveled to Belfast, Ireland, in 2006, that I began to take photography seriously. Read more>>
James Pride 
Gather for Good really started with something I was already doing naturally. Once I got my own house, I loved hosting people. I would have cookouts, bbqs, kickbacks, game nights, and other gatherings where people could come together, eat, hang out, and have a good time. I’ve always enjoyed creating spaces where people could connect. Read more>>
Ashanti Lewis 
I’m originally from Tuskegee, Alabama, so I’m definitely a small-town girl at heart. Growing up, I’ve always loved fashion, getting dressed up, taking pictures, and expressing myself creatively. I went on to attend Alabama A&M University, where I earned my degree in Communications Media. While I was in college, I was always creating content in some capacity. Read more>>
Jessica Barnes 
My interest in the world really started at home in Mobile, Alabama. Growing up in a city with so much history, my parents would take my sister and me to places like the USS Alabama Battleship and Fort Morgan. Those little trips made me curious about places, history, and what was outside of what I saw every day. Read more>>
Ashanti Lewis 
I’m originally from Tuskegee, Alabama, so I’m definitely a small-town girl at heart. Growing up, I’ve always loved fashion, getting dressed up, taking pictures, and expressing myself creatively. I went on to attend Alabama A&M University, where I earned my degree in Communications Media. While I was in college, I was always creating content in some capacity. Read more>>
Ja’Nel Johnson-Phillips 
I began taking Hot Pilates classes during a time when my anxiety was through the roof. I read exercise was an effective way to manage anxiety and depression, so I signed up for ClassPass to try different fitness studios. I tried a Hot Pilates class and noticed I felt calm afterward. I kept going back, and when they announced an upcoming teacher training, I enrolled. Read more>>
Kayla Krauss 
Being an athlete is really all I’ve ever known. I was raised by athletes and raised to be an athlete. Sports weren’t just something we did in my family, they were a huge part of how I learned to move through life. I learned really young how to work hard, be disciplined, compete, be coachable, and keep going when things got uncomfortable. Read more>>
Beth Kines 
I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve been doing some sort of business since I was little. The very first thing that I did was start making and selling hairbows. I ventured into candy a little while after I was doing hairbows. Being is business for myself was something that I’ve been doing since I was a little girl. Read more>>
Keimaya Downey 
Hi! My name is Keimaya! I’m a marketing professional, writer, and curator from Birmingham, Alabama. I grew up as a shy and reserved, but highly creative child and vividly remember wanting to be a fashion designer, actress, and chef when I grew up. Read more>>
Ana Sneeringer 
I was born in Slovenia, Europe and began my professional life as a journalist and tv director. After moving abroad, I lived in several countries ( Jordan, France, Russia, The Dominican Republic, The Netherlands, India and now USA), and each place changed the way I understood identity, belonging, and what it means to feel at home. Read more>>
La’Vinnia Holliday 
I specialize in talent development and experience-building at the intersection of fashion, community, and youth opportunity. I am the Founder and Executive Director of Poze Bazaar Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on elevating emerging talent in fashion and the arts while creating youth opportunities through mentorship, internships, and scholarships. My work is a mix of vision and execution. Read more>>
ZAY The Bull 
I was born in March of 1988 in West Palm Beach, Florida, to a recently widowed mother who had just turned 21 years old. My father passed away from a drug overdose in December of ’87. I grew up in Florida, Alabama, and New Jersey. I started writing and rapping at the age of 13, and making music has always been my passion. Read more>>
Alex Taylor 
It all started with my fitness journey. In 2023, I moved from my hometown to a new city and got caught up in unhealthy habits. It wasn’t until 2025 when I said enough is enough. I started going to the gym consistently and cooking at home. 9 months later, I was down 50lbs. Read more>>
Angie Stryker
Creating hospitable spaces, indoors or out, where people are seen and known and loved has been the common thread of my whole life. When I was little, our home was chaotic for various reasons. It wasn’t a safe space for little girls. I felt a call from the outdoors. Read more>>
Molly Johnson
In 2018, from a college apartment, I started painting goodies for sorority big-little baskets. That small creative outlet grew alongside me, through family Christmas gifts, housewarming presents, and now, live wedding paintings. This is one of the biggest ‘blessings in disguise’ of my life. Read more>>
