Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?

We have had the good fortunate of connecting with Nobel Laureates, titans of industry, rockstars and rising stars across dozens of industries and we have always found their stories about who they were early on to be most fascinating. Below, you’ll find members of the community sharing their responses to this key aspect of their stories.

Heidi Hornbacher

I was a fearlessly creative kid. I believed all the things you want a kid to believe: that they can be anything they want, that they world needs their voice. Then the world did its work and for many years I did my best to be a good worker bee who ‘wasn’t allowed’ to be a creative. Read more>>

Wilnique & Wilnice Denley

This question is deeply personal and transformative, something we truly cherish. Before the world imposed its expectations on us, we were bright, curious, creative, energetic, affectionate, and sweet souls who wanted to love everyone and everything. We aspired to achieve great things and succeed in whatever we set our minds to. Read more>>

Jessy Richmond

Before the world told me who I had to be, I was someone who noticed everything. I loved rhythm and silence equally sounds that made me move, images that made me stop. I’ve always been a big lover of music and film. As a kid, I’d buy magazines like Word Up! Read more>>

Chrysanthemum Ahmed

I remember as a child I was stubborn, playful, and full of confidence. I wanted to be a singer and dancer; I spent so much time writing my own songs in composition books and choreographing routines to pop music. Fully unmasked, I was an intense force of energy that loved abstract art and mermaids. Read more>>

Marshecka Rodgers

Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a quiet observer of beauty, someone who found wonder in the smallest moments. I was endlessly fascinated by how emotion could transform a space, how intention could make something simple feel sacred. Read more>>