There are so many factors that affect how our lives turn out, but one of the most interesting is how our backgrounds give us unique strengths and perspectives that affect who we are as adults. We asked rising stars from the community to tell us about their background and upbringing and how they feel it’s impacted who they are today.

Shirin Alipanah | Global Real Estate Advisor

I grew up in a big family in Iran, with 9 siblings – 7 of them boys. It felt like I had 8 dads in some ways, each one adding to the mix of voices and influences that shaped my early years. But life in Iran also meant facing the sharp edges of inequality and repression firsthand. Simple acts, like wearing white socks, got me expelled from school, and bigger dreams, like attending university, were blocked before I even had the chance to try, making it feel like I had no future there. Read more>>

Patsee Ober | Underwater photographer and ocean advocate

My love for the ocean began at a young age, growing up on an island in Southern California, where I spent most of my free time at the beach, sailing, swimming and exploring. My dad was an amateur photographer and took photos all over the world as part of his travels as a pilot in the Marine Corp. My mom would like to tell others that I had salt water running through my veins! Both parents were instrumental and supportive of my beach life, yachting and photography. As I became more involved with the ocean, I realized that photography was an excellent way to share my ocean adventures with others and to promote marine conservation. Read more>>

Rev. Dr. R. Lorraine Brown (Cross) | Clergy/Executive Director/Nurse

I was raised in a predominantly white working middle-class community, in an African American home with both my parents, my grandmother, and four other siblings during my formative years. At that time, there were not many other ethnic groups residing in the city. African American families were sprinkled in clusters throughout the city. Besides our families, the community was comprised of persons mainly of Italian or Irish descent. All throughout my school years, my school friends were white. However, all of my after school and weekend friends were black. I realized something interesting later in life – I was never allowed to go to my white friends’ homes to play or visit inside their churches. I had been protected from even realizing that by being kept busy with church and Afrocentric civic activities sponsored either through the church or black social groups in one of the other three surrounding communities where blacks lived. Read more>>

Jen Simone | Violinist-performer, studio musician and teacher

I was born in LA and moved to Chicago when I was 4. In 3rd grade, I saw people playing violin for an assembly. I was spellbound & asked my Mom if could learn to play violin. I was fortunate to have a parent who loved music & was able to get me a violin. She not only supported my lessons but took me to concerts often which inspired me. There were music programs not only in my public school but also at the local music center where I took private lessons and played chamber music. In high school I had an incredible orchestra teacher who encouraged me ro become a professional violinist. Playing jn Chicago Youth Orchestra every Saturday during highschool also helped solidify that I wanted to be a music major in college. It was amazing to meet fellow musicians with different backgrounds from all over the Chicago area and perform together. Because I was fortunate to have music in my schools, I have always loved teaching students throughout my career in addition to performing and recording. Read more>>