The heart of our mission at VoyageLA is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our city. In the recent weeks we’ve had the privilege to connect with some of South Bay’s finest artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rebel rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with our city’s incredibly deep talent pool. Check out the area’s rising stars below.
Carinoe
Well, as a videographer and photographer, I would like to say that it all started way back when I used to be a graffiti writer. During that time, I decided that I wanted to try and make graffiti videos of my work so I used a little camcorder that used tiny VHS cassette tapes and I would just film my process of me painting. Read more>>
Kevin DeBruin
I am a former NASA Rocket Scientist & fitness addict who teaches the public about space and promotes living an active & healthy lifestyle. Growing up, my generation learned from Bill Nye the Science Guy. The generation before me had Carl Sagan. I believe it is my duty to carry the baton and continue the legacy of teaching science and inspiring the youth. Read more>>
Elizabeth Pino
Kiikas was founded when we realized that there was a great need of support for young women under the age of 40. Through this program, we educate young women on self-awareness techniques and provide tools to increase proactive participation in their health. Part of our mission is to raise funds to help young women obtain free mammograms. Read more>>
Brianna Barraza
Growing up my father had a yoga studio in Marina Del Rey now known as the Yoga Nest. After my mothers passing at a young age, yoga came to be a place of healing. The practice of yoga has been life-changing, and I know that sounds cliche. I am committed to stand as a source of transformation for my students. Today I teach locally, and I am currently working on a yoga E-book. Read more>>
Alex Cvetkov
You know, one of those moments when you have the answer right in front of your face, but you search in the wrong alleys. I got my answer – I want to study Filmmaking. With a little struggle, I found what I want to do for the rest of my life. Which brings me here, today graduated from film school and living in Los Angeles. Now I’m ready to achieve my goals and tell my stories… That’s my 24 years in a 1min short film. Read more>>
Michael N Nguyen
I think most of the reason why I became successful is because I work really hard. Luckily for me, I naturally enjoy making people happy. So it was very easy for me to be available, ready to work hard, and always be myself! It is also important to find a career that you simply find joy and passion in. The rest will sort itself out once you’ve discovered why. Read more>>
Rachel Friend
It all started with my first communications class in college. Call it timing or fate, but I learned a lot about myself and who I was in that class. Most importantly, I had a choice in how I lived my life. That I wasn’t defined by my past, or bound to an inevitable future, but instead, could choose who I wanted to be and what I wanted to stand for. All of this through communication with myself & others. Read more>>
Luis Cornejo
It is no surprise that mental health and mental illness still carry a large degree of stigma. This is even more so in communities of color were going to therapy or getting help isn’t always seen as a strength. When I first started college I wanted to become a doctor. I wanted to help people and make them feel better. It took some time before I quickly realized that I actually didn’t enjoy my pre-med courses. Read more>>
Candace Grace
I love getting out on the water, but my real obsession is finding sea glass up and down the coast and making jewelry and home decor with it. I began doing this a few years back, right before I turned 50. I started doing farmer’s markets, and now I just show and sell my art on Facebook and Instagram, where it’s taken a life of its own. Read more>>
Monica Gutierrez
The support from my family and friends pushed me to work harder on what I love to do, with that I started learning more about photography and editing. Being a photographer helped me get out of my comfort zone and appreciate the people and things around me. In 2018, I worked with bands doing group photos and taking pictures of their live performances. I also got to work with Ms. Yellow. I was able to photograph the murals she was working on. Read more>>
Soni Lopez-Chavez and Chris Zertuche
We have accomplished this goal by welcoming thousands of guests and supported thousands of early and established artists through exhibitions, performance events, screenings and much more. Having hosted over 400 shows that include the popular annual “Dia De Los Muertos Skull Art Show,” “Frida Kahlo Art Show & Friducha Market,” “Perfect 10,” and many more. Read more>>
Selina Kim and Siddhi Shah
We were middle school classmates, but we went off to different high schools and lost touch. Without even knowing it, we ended up developing similar interests. Selina was thinking of writing a book about the brain geared towards kids and had a draft written up. Meanwhile, Siddhi had been wanting to start a neuroscience education program at local schools and had attended a summer program from where she got the preliminary resources to do so. Read more>>
Blakeley Hunter
Blakeley’s passion for art started at a young age and was encouraged by her parents. After studying art in college, Hunter realized she found the most joy in creating abstract works of art using photography, Photoshop, resin, and paint. Two years ago, her career in art took off when she met Rafael McMaster and began managing Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach as well as teaching youth art classes. Read more>>
Maureen Kingsley
It was exciting, and witnessing firsthand the introduction of digital media to the industry landscape provided many opportunities for growth. Because of that digital-media revolution, as it were, a number of my employer’s print publications were ultimately discontinued, and I was eventually laid off from my publishing job in 2013. I went freelance, continuing to write and edit for Canon and other clients. Read more>>
Stephanie Mora
I’ve always had a strong interest in skincare ever since I was little. Throughout high school, you’d find me soaking up all the beauty articles featured in magazines and offering beauty advice to anyone who would listen. When I attended a four-year university after high school, I initially decided dermatology was a career I would pursue. Read more>>
Jenny Krusoe
I am the executive director of AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, a non-profit with a mission to develop the most innovative ocean research campus in the world. AltaSea’s vision is to turn to the ocean to solve some of humankind’s most pressing challenges, all while creating a great economic opportunity for Los Angeles, especially for some of the underserved neighborhoods surrounding the port. Read more>>
Chip Herwegh
Chip Herwegh is a native Angelino and South Bay local. Most of my career has been as a union prop maker (set builder), then moving on to becoming a furniture maker, and now focusing on being an artist. I love California, the history, the myth, the architecture, the artists and the art they make. My art combines these elements in a way that draws us together as a tribe. Read more>>
Lorelei Shellist
A runaway teen at age 14, I had a dream to see the world. It was the early 70’s when I mapped out a plan to model my way around the globe. As an emancipated minor and a spiritual soul seeker, I practiced creative visualization with optimistic determination long before it was de rigueur. At age 16, I jetted off to New York and signed with the Eileen Ford Agency. At 19, I signed with the ELITE MODELS and traveled to Europe on a wing and prayer chasing my childhood dreams. Read more>>
Wendy Gonzalez
I started in July of 2013, and I was always waking up seeing stars because my sugars were at 400. I actually was not looking forward towards taking any Herbalife, but I was such a bad diabetic. I tried dieting, I tried Nutrisystem and nothing was helping. My doctor’s told me if I don’t change my lifestyle I would not make it to see my 14-year-old son graduate High school. Read more>>
