Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Shanna Armenta | Fiber Arts Teacher and General Yarn Addict

I was raised in a somewhat poor rural neighborhood in SE New Mexico and spent a great deal of time with my grandparents, especially my grandmother. She was always busy: cleaning the house or watering the yard, feeding the chickens or working at her sewing machine making clothing, home goods or toys. Read more>>

Carlos A Mendoza | Self Taught Tattoo Artist

What can I say I’m 100% Mexican ! On a genuine note, I was born & raised in Mexico until I turned 5. Coming to California, my parents struggled like any other family coming to the U.S. looking for the American Dream. Growing up I knew I wanted to do something on the artistic side, and drawing came naturally for me. Read more>>

Dyan Bitan | Quantum Energy Healer & Web Developer

I am originally from the Philippines and I moved to California when I was seven years old. I remember the journey to the US quite well, I threw up in the car because it was my first time riding in one. It was also my first time sleeping on an actual bed and using a shower. Read more>>

Mandeep Singh | Owner of Oath Pizza El Segundo

I was born in India and moved to the United States with my family when I was 11 years old. I knew from the start that I would have to work hard to adapt and learn the language. I’m grateful to everyone at Woodlake Elementary School who helped me catch up. Since then, I’ve learned to give back and that hard work and putting in effort always pays reward. Read more>>

Carla Fountain | Author

My family’s roots are from Virginia and North Carolina, but I spent my childhood in Minnesota, New Jersey, Spain, and Southern California. When my father graduated from Hampton University during WWII, the US military selected him to train as a Tuskegee Airman. After the war, he became a career officer, and so I grew up as an Air Force brat. Read more>>

Cali Danielle | Creator and Host of CaliFaces

I’m from California. Growing up, the people that my friends and I knew and told stories about were never on TV and never had their lives made into movies. Some were people who had done unique and legendary things but were unknown outside their neighborhoods. That’s one of the main reasons why I created CaliFaces. Read more>>