Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?

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.

Rachel Eve Moulton

I had an early mentor in Don Wallis. Don was a journalist–the editor of our small town newspaper. He was also the father of my best friend. Don believed in my writing from the start. He published editorials I wrote in the paper, and he was always willing to read my fiction with a red pen in hand. Read more>>

Shiarnice Burton

My best friend Mark Anthony Goudeau saw me before I saw myself. When I met Mark it was like the planets of friendship aligned; Mark helped me to see my value and my worth which I had struggled with in relationships for so long. He helped me gather all portions of myself Mental; Spiritual; Emotional and Ancestral to analyze who I really was. Read more>>

Yarimar Rosario

My family and friends saw something in me long before I did. They recognized my eye for beauty and storytelling and encouraged me to pick up a camera before I even realized how much it would mean to me. My camera saw me before I saw myself. Read more>>

Angela Love

I would say my mother saw me before I could see myself. She was always super supportive in any venture that I spoke of. I feel that when you have supportive parents, you are destined for greatness. She said I could be anything that I wanted to be in this life and I believed her due to her believing in me. Read more>>

Jorge Rios

My parents! They were always unconditionally supportive of my vocation, even though they come from totally different professional backgrounds. Read more>>

Alexis Collins

I would say God. He has always been there for me, even in times when I felt like I didn’t deserve it. I’ve always been a Christian and a believer, but I really came more into my faith and developed a relationship with God halfway through college. Read more>>

Gerard Flores

I did. I’ve known I was meant to be an artist for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t just a dream—it felt like part of who I am. Of course, along the way, there were people who tried to discourage me or minimize my desire to perform. And I’d be lying if I said it never affected me—sometimes it did. Read more>>