Inspiring Stories from DTLA

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 the LA’s finest artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with our city’s incredibly deep talent pool.  Check out DTLA’s rising stars below.

Jordan Kalé

I grew up in Sacramento and was raised in church, where music was a central part of my life. I started singing on stages at age nine and was artist-developed at an early age by my vocal teacher, which helped me build a strong foundation and confidence in my abilities. Read more>>

Anna Weaver

Before founding Ninth & Phillips, I was already in the marketing world. First in social media, then I fell head over heels for interior design marketing. What drew me in was how different it was from marketing a product or typical e-commerce. These architects, designers, and builders—they needed someone who really spoke their language. Read more>>

Destiny Goss

I’m a Black queer filmmaker, creative, and activist from Dallas, Texas, who’s deeply passionate about using art as a tool for social change and creative expression. My journey into this industry began with a mission that took root at Desoto High School, where I studied TV & Radio Broadcasting, and a desire to uplift the marginalized, amplify the voices of the underrepresented, and create spaces for those who often go unheard.  Read more>>

Zivi Records

I’m Zivi, an artist and producer in the music and media space, living between LA, CA and Santa Fe, NM. I was born at home on a sunny day after a snow storm. Read more>>

Seungyeop Lee

I grew up in Korea until I was 14, and from an early age, I was captivated by the power of film. I’ve always pictured myself working behind the camera, but that dream was rather vague. Read more>>

Piera Blodwell

Piera Blodwell, Owner of PR SOLO: My fashion story/background stared when I was 18 years old, I started working for Giorgio Armani in Milano. I worked in different areas as: window display in the Milano store, moved on to the style department and ended up in the sales department. I got a wide range of experience from this time and got awarded for my expertise/experience. Read more>>

Zahra Taheri

“Some dreams begin in classrooms. Mine began in uncertainty. I am a 23-year-old Afghan woman from Herat, where continuing education as a girl is not always guaranteed—but I chose to continue anyway.” My journey started with a simple curiosity for English during my final years of school—a curiosity that soon became my lifeline. Read more>>

Himangini Puri

I am a screenwriter, author, poet, and choreographer. My artist alias is Himi. Born and raised in New Delhi, I have been engaged in several Indian and Western classical forms of performing arts. I pursued my higher education in dance globally, studying in Singapore, England, Malta, and Spain. Read more>>

Stacy Newgent

I’m a graphic designer and photo editor originally from the Midwest. I moved to Long Beach in November 2021, and since then I’ve been completely obsessed with all the dogs—there are so many cute dogs here. Last spring (2025), I had the idea to make a zine about the dogs in my neighborhood. Read more>>

Adargiza De Los Santos

Hi, I’m Adargiza De Los Santos. Brooklyn born, Dominican-raised, Afro-Latina to my core — and yes, all of that matters, we’ll get to that. My mom was an immigrant who raised 8 kids by herself. 8. Sola y sin ayuda. I don’t know how she did it honestly, and I say that as someone who can barely keep a plant alive. Read more>>

Nijeria Thompson

I love music, I listen to it every single day. And I love fragrance, from perfume to candles to room and linen mists. Anything that adds scent to a space is right up my alley. So during the pandemic, while living in Delaware, those two loves collided into one question: what would happen if you could smell your favorite song? Read more>>

Carmen Rizzo

I grew up in Walnut Creek, California, in a musical household—my mother was a piano teacher, church organist, and choir director. I started playing drums in bands as a kid, but my first real dream was baseball. I wanted to be a professional player, but by the time I was 18, I knew that path wasn’t going to happen. Read more>>

Tingyi Zhu

I graduate with a MA degree from Chapman University Dodge college, so during my undergraduate years, I got many opportunities to get filmmaking experience. I began my producing journey in 2023, starting with my first film project, Hysteria (2023), where I worked as a line producer. Read more>>

Lamz Laosebikan

My journey into photography began in 2017 during my junior year at Delaware State University. What started as casually taking photos on my iPhone for friends quickly turned into something more, though I didn’t realize it at the time. Everything changed when a friend asked me to step in last-minute for her graduation photos and trusted me enough to pay me. Read more>>

Joseph Bunce-Grenon

I’m originally from Springfield,Ma. That’s where I was born. Got adopted when I was 5. My mother passed away when I was 11 years of age. I really love basketball. It’s been my favorite sport since I could remember. I’ve always been very athletic growing up and was able to jump really high. When I was 14 years old, I got my first dunk. Read more>>

Garrett Lofgren

It is great to be back chatting with Voyage LA! To understand where I am today, you really have to look at the bridge between my creative roots and the business side of the industry. My story starts as a performing musician. I’ve been a bass player for over 25 years, and early on back in Texas, music was my absolute driving force. Read more>>

Domenic Priore

My parents were born in New York City in 1915 and 1921, respectively, They’d talk about their childhoods during the Roaring ’20s, a lot… it was a better memory for them than the Depression or World War II (which my father, Carmine, served in). Read more>>

La’Shala Irby

I started braiding hair in the fourth grade. I would braid my friends’ hair at school—during class and even at recess. I got in trouble so many times for it, but I just couldn’t stop. It was something I naturally loved. As I got older, in middle school and high school, I started getting into weaves—sew-ins and quick weaves. Read more>>

Omar Castanon

I’ve been a cinematic portrait photographer for over 8 years now. I enjoy capturing moments that are larger than life and bringing to reality how others see themselves in their own head. Read more>>

Jahi Trotter

I’ve been a filmmaker since 2013, driven by a deep curiosity about people, storytelling, and the human experience. I earned my B.S. in Social Science in 2014, and later went on to receive my MFA in Film and Television from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2022. Acting, however, came into my life in a much more personal and unexpected way. Read more>>

Shiri Wolman

I began playing clarinet at the age of 10 through my school, and something about its sound immediately connected with me. I continued with classical training for several years, playing in orchestras and developing a strong technical foundation that still shapes how I approach music today. Over time, curiosity led me into new directions. Read more>>

Tali Cook

With well over a million streams since the 2024 release of “In Momentum”, TVLI has built a dedicated following of over 70,000 social media followers drawn to his pensive take on melodic and progressive house. His track “Tempest” became a viral hit with over 13 million plays on instagram resulting in Apple Music editorial support as well as tens of thousands of new followers. Read more>>

Nathan Nuñez

Photography has been something I’ve always done as a way to preserve a moment, so I could reflect on it in the future. Unlike the past generations, I’m granted that privilege as I grew up having a camera attached to my phone. Read more>>

Dee Browné

My name is Dee Browné, and I’m the founder of REINE, a beauty brand created with the vision of making women feel confident, elegant and empowered. My journey into beauty started with a passion for makeup and creativity. I’ve always loved how beauty can transform not just the way you look, but the way you feel about yourself. Read more>>

Josh Kidd

My name is Josh Kidd, I’m an up and coming rapper from Meath, Ireland with a style heavily influenced by the sound of 90s Hip Hop. My stage name is ‘KIDD,’ as in Kidd by name, kid by nature. I’ve always been a fan of Hip Hop, growing up listening to Eminem, Tupac and a lot of West Coast artists. Read more>>

Deandria Collins

My name is Deandria Collins, and I started designing in 2023, 3 years ago. I graduated from university, hoping to land my dream job, only to realize things were going to be difficult. I left university on my last term, struggling to land a fashion internship in the Chicago metropolitan area. Read more>>

Priscilla Crawford

From the quiet rhythm of the South to the relentless pulse of New York City, Priscilla Crawford has built her career with intention, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to her craft. Her journey isn’t one of overnight success—it’s a story shaped by patience, sacrifice, and years spent refining her artistry behind the scenes. Read more>>

Cecily Lopez

My journey into photography began long before it became a business. Around the age of 12, it started as an interest that quickly grew into a passion. Read more>>

Julie Wevers-Stevens

I was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium, and spent my childhood going back and forth between the city​, the ardennes and sunny summers with my family in the South of France​. After completing my ​BA, I became an au pair for a wonderful family in Los Angeles, and that experience completely changed me. Read more>>

Michelle Hammond

Ruahh was born in a moment I didn’t plan for. During COVID, I was laid off from my corporate role and had to pivot. I started with bags, but they didn’t quite land. Instead of stopping, I kept experimenting, and that’s where I found jewelry. It felt natural, expressive, and personal in a way nothing else had. What began as uncertainty turned into clarity. Read more>>

Taylor Bentley

Detroit native, Westside of Detroit to be exact (Fenkell) . I’ve been doing music and performing arts since I was a kid. Knew I was destined for the spotlight. Debuted my first single November of 2019 and went viral for my witty bars in 2021. I’ve been on an upward trajectory since. New project Bentley Winters show Read more>>

MJ Holman

My journey into music and leadership really started in church. I grew up surrounded by music, but over time it became more than just playing—it became purpose. I began serving on the worship team, learning not just how to play, but how to listen, how to support, and how to lead. Read more>>

AnnaMaria DeMara

IT WAS ALL A DREAM”… okay, and a bowl of French onion soup! The dream didn’t actually start with soup, it started with the beautiful boredom of childhood. My parents would tell us to scram and find something to do, so we turned our basement into a playground for our imaginations. Read more>>

Adam Rindy

I started shooting when I was a teen, mostly around skateboarding and graffiti culture. It wasn’t anything formal at the time. I just liked documenting what was happening around me and figuring out how to make it look interesting. That curiosity turned into something more serious and I decided to enroll into The Brooks Institute of Photography. Read more>>