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.
Desiree Kitsmiller
My grandparents saw me clearly before I could see myself. Growing up with a young single mother, I spent most of my childhood with them, and they became my everything. They believed in me from the very beginning, guiding me, supporting me, and lifting me up through every hardship—through all my struggles as a child, a teenager, and even as an adult. Read more>>
Charisse Williams
When I was younger, people told me I reminded them of Oprah. At the time, I didn’t quite see it—but I do now. Of all the things she’s known for, what stands out to me most is that she’s a lifelong learner who has introduced the world to so many books, ideas, and thought leaders focused on growth and well-being. Read more>>
Joshua Parish
My wife, Cortnie, saw me clearly long before I ever saw myself. She’s always had this ability to look past the chaos and see the purpose underneath it. Where I saw ideas, she saw direction. Where I saw obstacles, she saw opportunity. When we started VETLIFE, I was driven by conviction but not always clarity. Cortnie brought that clarity. Read more>>
Sophia Redding
God saw me clearly before I could ever see myself. Before I understood my own strength, He was shaping me through every season, the struggle, the stillness, and the breakthrough Read more>>
Jacqueline Ayala-Alonzo
My mom and grandma have always believed in me and I’m grateful that they let me choose my career when I went to college. They raised me and have been witnesses to my ups and downs. Their unconditional love has been the key to my success so far. Read more>>
Maitri Shah
My husband! Dhruvin , he saw me doing great things in my coaching passion even before I could understand the depth I was bringing in other peoples life. Read more>>
Donna McDine
Rita Gigante, a remarkable psychic medium and dear friend, has profoundly influenced my life’s journey. I vividly recall our initial encounter at one of her moon ceremony events, a gathering designed to align energies and foster spiritual growth. During this event, Rita, without any prior knowledge of my background or aspirations, intuitively spoke about my future. Read more>>
KyAnna Maychelle
My partner, Jacoby for sure saw me clearly before I could see myself. A good partner loves all of you but they give extra love to the parts you tend to criticize the most. When you pick yourself apart it’s hard to love yourself whole. Read more>>
Jupiter Runway
My Co-CEO and Co-founder, Maaac. He was with me from the very start and saw the earliest of my aspirations and the beginnings of my sound and who I am. We have both come a long way Read more>>
Delcy Albertini
It was a client who I consider my friend. She was the one who told me I could do more than beautiful furnitures. She was in the early stages of developing apartments in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Read more>>
Jermaine Mendoza
My Grand mother was my biggest supporter. She saw the artist in me. Saw the drive to be an individual, before I could understand what it even meant to be unlike anyone else, in the best way possible. I was a bit of a Black sheep in my family. I have a twin sister, who also was very different from the rest of our family. Read more>>
Melissa Turner Drumm
An undergraduate printmaking Professor at Tulane named James Steig. A quiet, talented, generous gentle soul. Every week we would have a studio visit to discuss my recent work. At the time I was working on 6’ oil paintings of mannequins breaking through walls, windows, fences. He mentioned a hand was out of perspective and to fix that. I said fine I’ll work on it. Read more>>
Daniel Dino-Slofer
For me, the answer is a network of people: friends, mentors, and community members who recognized something in me I only fully discovered later: a drive not just to create, but to serve; not just to take photographs, but to solve problems. My first teachers and youth-organization leaders saw how I’d volunteer for whatever needed doing, even when I didn’t feel fully ready. Read more>>
