Those of us who were lucky to have someone see something in us long before we saw it in ourselves know how impactful it can be. We are thrilled to highlight some of those stories and honor some of the OG heroes.
Cassia Jones
Mrs Van Volkenberg was my private piano teacher and also my theatre teacher at school. She’d write these incredible original plays and give me the lead roles! She taught me how to write poetry as well. She saw talents in me I never knew I had. I’m forever grateful for her nurturing guidance. Read more >>>
India J
My mom. She’s always seen my potential long before I fully recognized it in myself. She’s been my biggest supporter and the one who constantly reminded me of what I’m capable of, even in moments when I couldn’t see it clearly. Read more >>>
Linn Holmstedt
I think my parents definitely did. They saw how much I loved music and really inspired me and encouraged me to explore it more. My mom was in a gospel choir with whom she rehearsed and did shows with frequently – often she’d bring me with her and they would sort of pass me around between the choir members when I was a baby. Read more >>>
Asha Iwanowicz
I had a mentor who told me straight up that I AM a music producer. I couldn’t believe it before then because I didn’t know any female music producers, so it was hard to look up to anyone. But when he told me that I was like, wow, you’re right. Read more >>>
Annique Arredondo
What a powerful question: ‘who saw you before you could see yourself’. You know, I really have to give credit to my proverbial surrogate mother, Barbara Elliott-Sanders. She is and has been such a powerhouse of grounded thinking, of honorable actions, of thoughftul behavior, and of maternal sanity to me over the years. Since I was 13! Read more >>>
Kira Bee
My 3rd grade teacher Mrs. MacArthur. I was definitely a problem child growing up and would constantly find myself in and out of trouble. I would fight, talk back, be disruptive- the whole nine yards, so as a result very few adults around that time gave me a chance or saw past the violence. One particular day in Mrs. Read more >>>
Cabell Harris
I think most people saw me more clearly in some ways and not at all in other ways. As a teenager I started having people tell me things about myself that I shrugged off as over complimentary. As a young artist in my 20s I also had people encouraging me in ways I didn’t yet have ambition. Read more >>>
Jessica Iovino
I would cringely enough have to say, my husband. He has always seen the best part of me, and I don’t mean literally. At one point when I was performing shows (as a singer) I would jokingly call him my “Stage mom”. Read more >>>
Aaron Mostow
My Bubbe (Yiddish for grandmother) recognized my artistic potential at a young age. She nurtured it, guiding me to develop my craft across various mediums. She also encouraged me to embrace creativity not only in art, but in business ventures such as real estate. If it wasn’t for my Bubbe, I wouldn’t be the artist and entrepreneur I am today. Read more >>>
Kevin Williams
I would say my first girlfriend Sarah did back in high school. It was such a dark time living with my dad and stepmother I found school and discovered drama club as an escape. Sarah went to a different school and we met randomly one late night after I ran out to get some air. Read more >>>
