{"id":446020,"date":"2026-09-24T08:02:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T08:02:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/446020\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T08:02:25","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T08:02:25","slug":"portraits-of-dallas-voyage-dallas-magazine-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/446020\/","title":{"rendered":"Portraits of Dallas \u2013 Voyage Dallas Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We\u2019re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you\u2019ll find inspiring interviews from in and around Dallas.<\/p>\n<p>Kat Watson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789134540804-personal_1789134539864_1789134539864_kat_watson_portrait.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was born and raised in the Arlington, TX area. Until 2022, I never would have considered myself an artist. But becoming disabled through Covid forced me to try new things that I could do while sitting down. I tried a few embroidery kits and immediately knew I had found my passion.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-kat-watson-of-of-moss-and-mushroom\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jessica Deskewies<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789094013054-personal_1789094012860_1789094012860_jessica_deskewies_45148.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was born January 23 1997 in Memphis, TN. I spent 15 years there in local community theatre training under Julie Freeman, Kathy Caradine and Bob Westbrook entertainment, competitive cheerleadering, playing cello and on a competitive hip hop dance team. I was 15 when my father passed. My mom and I decided to relocate to Dallas, TX where I graduated from Coram Deo Academy.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-jessica-deskewies-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Oscar Almaraz<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789109894739-personal_1789109894572_1789109894572_oscar_almaraz_oscaralmaraz.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, and for the past seven years, I have called North Texas home. My professional journey has taken several unexpected turns and has ultimately connected two places that are now very important parts of my story.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-oscar-almaraz-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Amy Sabel<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789108549894-personal_1789108549790_1789108549790_amy_sabel_a7bb82ee-7965-4c08-a6b1-92083a8025a7..png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My career has been circuitous. I started out working for a talent agent at United Talent Agency named Tracey Jacobs who was absolutely brilliant. She taught me everything I know about being a great agent, managing talent and being a strong negotiator. She promoted me off of her desk giving me the opportunity to work with really big talent.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-amy-sabel-of-west-hollywood\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Angeline Gullotto<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789070660043-personal_1789070659884_1789070659884_angeline_gullotto_screenshot-2026-09-10-at-2465.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m Angeline, Louisiana-born, Dallas based, globally inspired, and perpetually chasing the thrill of the perfect find. Welcome to my world\u2014where bold meets beautiful, and every piece has a past. I hunt down vintage, antiques, and mid-century icons from Europe and the States, curated with a careful eye and a love for color, texture, and soul. I specialize in clothing, jewelry and unique home accessories.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-angeline-gullotto\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Cherri Shah<\/p>\n<p>My journey started after two pregnancies and three kids. I was on my own health and fitness journey, not only for myself, but also because I wanted to be healthier and stronger for my children. I knew I needed to find a workout that would actually work for me\u2014something effective, but also something I could realistically fit into my busy schedule.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-cherri-shah-of-hotworx-north-frisco-hollyhock-380\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Isata Sannoh<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789860669463-personal_1789860669373_1789860669373_isata_sannoh_00d_2524_original.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Isata Sannoh, I was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone. My family immigrated to the United States when I was seven years old. Shortly after arriving, we became one of the many families affected by Hurricane Katrina, an experience that taught me about perseverance and resilience at an early age.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-isata-sannoh-of-atasi-head-scalp-spa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Marciel Whitehurst<\/p>\n<p>I began photography in 2023 as a hobby while transitioning out of the military, but it quickly became a way to bring together many parts of my life. Sports have always played a major role in my story. I competed from childhood through college, coached for four years, and worked in college athletics for five years.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-marciel-whitehurst\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kerin Levy<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789086607610-personal_1789086607159_1789086607159_kerin_levy_pic-3-k-levy.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My love for skin care all started when I was 19, I had an experience at an Estee Lauder counter with a sales associate who really knew her craft. However, my first professional facial was in Atlanta, Ga. a few years later. My esthetician opened my eyes to what skin care was really about.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-kerin-levy-of-kl-aesthetics-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dulce Angeles<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789089438998-personal_1789089438870_1789089438870_dulce_angeles_dulce-121-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m originally from Mexico City, where I began my professional career working for large corporations in the IT industry. After several years in the corporate world, I completed my MBA and moved to Texas. My journey then took a very different turn.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-dulce-angeles-of-metrogreen-cleaning-company\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Duch\u00e8 Bradley<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787841300691-personal_1787841300394_1787841300394_duch_bradley_db-red-jacket.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Powerful speaker, coach, and life transformer who blends raw lived experience, street knowledge, and spiritual insight to inspire audiences with lessons on overcoming trauma, anger, addiction, violence, and hopelessness through faith and personal responsibility.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-duche-bradley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Holly Huson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787850111291-personal_1787850111295_1787850111295_holly_huson_huso.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started as the Executive Director of Hope Center in November 2025. This has been an incredible 10 months at Hope Center. I still can\u2019t believe this is my job! Little did I know that God has been preparing me for this type of ministry for a long time.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-holly-huson-of-other-not-applicable\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Emmanuel Lewis<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787833838147-personal_1787833836982_1787833836982_emmanuel_lewis_photobeforeharassment-e179023443.png\" alt=\"Meet Emmanuel  Lewis of Dallas-Fort Worth\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Advocacy Advocacy for disabled Helping others I Karaoke Writer Interested in advocacy for heart health of folks and legal rights of folks I lost all of my skin color Former Dallas County Sheriff employee developed a heart condition working at the Dallas Sheriff Department <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-emmanuel-lewis-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a0Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Subhas Angara<\/p>\n<p>United Hearts began with a simple observation. I kept seeing TikTok videos showing Dunkin\u2019 throwing away their unsold donuts at the end of the day. It made me wonder: if this was happening at just one business, imagine how many other restaurants and bakeries were throwing away perfectly good food every day?<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-subhas-angara-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rio Thomas<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787700671098-personal_1787700673771_1787700673771_rio_thomas_still-2026-08-20-232719_1341.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name is Rio Thomas. I\u2019m a recording artist from the U.S. Virgin Islands. Music has always been a part of my life. My grandfather was a saxophonist and my dad is a bassist. My dad introduced me to music at a young age, and I began playing instruments, with time I developed a love for hip-hop and writing and began learning the craft.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-rio-thomas-of-national\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Adriana L\u00f3pez<\/p>\n<p>My interest in photography was born thanks to my family. From a very young age, a cousin who was a photographer sparked my curiosity for this art, sharing his knowledge with me and even giving me my first cameras. While studying Fine Arts at the Central University of Venezuela, I chose the course Introduction to Photography, a decision that would shape my professional path.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-adriana-lopez-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Zachary Wilson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1777994467487-personal_1777994467044_1777994467044_zachary_wilson_photo4-1.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>If I had to describe my story, I\u2019d say it was handcrafted\u2014woven together by God. I don\u2019t have a textbook explanation for how I got here; I only know that even throughout the most traumatic, shifting seasons of my life, God had His hand on my back. I\u2019m a Dallas Suburb guy at heart.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-zachary-wilson-of-elite-talent-advisors\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Monica Stewart<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789614541932-personal_1789614543992_1789614543992_monica_stewart_img_0642.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m originally from Guatemala. I moved to the US when I married my amazing husband in 2023. At the time, I wasn\u2019t working so for my birthday my sister sent me tools to work with clay so I wouldn\u2019t die of boredom. I fell in love with it, which was surprising since I didn\u2019t even like to play with Play-Doh when I was little haha.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-monica-stewarts-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jordan Evans<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789601825164-personal_1789601824863_1789601824863_jordan_evans_img_8302-3.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Grazing Grove actually started long before I ever imagined owning a restaurant. I started creating grazing tables for parties just for fun. Some really great friends saw something in it before I did and encouraged me to turn it into a catering company. And when I say encouraged, I mean they seriously pushed me!<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-jordan-evans-of-the-grazing-grove\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kiondra Johnson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789581699236-personal_1789581699034_1789581699034_kiondra_johnson_img_1300.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story started after graduating from cosmetology school in 2017. I\u2019m originally from Amarillo, Texas, and moved to Frisco, TX when I was 18, so the DFW area has been home for most of my adult life. I spent two years doing hair before realizing it wasn\u2019t the path for me, so I decided to learn lash extensions.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-kiondra-johnson-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shawn A<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789540740471-personal_1789540740239_1789540740239_shawn_a_img_6736.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My life hasn\u2019t been a straight line, but every chapter has built directly into the next. I\u2019m originally from Macon, Georgia and if you know anything about Macon, you know it\u2019s not a huge place, but it carries a massive cultural impact as the birthplace of legends like Little Richard and Otis Redding.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/inspiring-conversations-with-shawn-a-of-skins\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Alecia Danielle<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789518643631-personal_1789518643419_1789518643419_alecia_danielle_dsc08238-edit.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story starts in healthcare, not in entrepreneurship. I spent years building expertise in coding compliance and risk adjustment \u2014 earning certifications, taking on more responsibility, being promoted again and again into leadership. But every promotion revealed the same gap: nobody had taught me how to actually lead. The technical skills got me in the room.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-alecia-danielle-of-become-you\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Savva Zingas<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789503446883-personal_1789503446301_1789503446301_savva_zingas_new-headshot.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey into the insurance industry was definitely not something I had planned. Before insurance, I was managing a restaurant in Southlake while raising a family and attending school full-time for engineering. Life was busy, to say the least. I was balancing long hours in the restaurant industry, classes, and the responsibilities that came with being a husband and father.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-savva-zingas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Camille Tagle<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789481061983-personal_1789481085992_1789481085992_camille_tagle_ct-headshot.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I started my career as an eveningwear designer, where I saw firsthand how much perfectly usable fabric was being discarded throughout the design and development process. It was frustrating to see beautiful, high-quality materials treated as waste simply because they were leftover or no longer needed.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-camille-tagle-of-fabscrap\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Duda Penteado<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789737781424-personal_1789737779263_1789737779263_duda_penteado_photo-2026-07-18-17-39-20.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Duda Penteado\u2019s trajectory spans nearly three decades between Brazil and the United States, where he has built a distinguished career as a multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, educator, and cultural visionary. Known as an \u201cArtivist,\u201d he has expanded his practice beyond galleries and museums into public art, filmmaking, education, community dialogue, and social impact.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-duda-penteado\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shirah Ray-Herbert<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789435942316-personal_1789435945221_1789435945221_shirah_rayherbert_784403055_3668158699991330_90.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story really began in 2006 when I opened David Lee\u2019s, a boutique named in honor of my father, David Lee Ray. What started as a love for fashion became something much bigger than I could have imagined.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-shirah-ray-herbert-of-david-lees\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Violet Coots<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789418913400-personal_1789418910815_1789418910815_violet_coots_headshot-with-white-background-ova.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>After 40 years in the insurance business, God called me to leave that career and become a Christian life coach. But my own journey of inner healing actually began more than 30 years ago. Over the years, God has continued to reveal and heal different places in my life.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-violet-coots-of-violet-coots-coaching\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sandra Vanatko<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789771072523-personal_1789771072372_1789771072372_sandra_vanatko_ed9a0080.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The first thing yoga gave me was sleep. I was traveling in India in 2007 when I first fell in love with the practice, and not long after, I moved to San Diego, where I found my teacher, a brilliant instructor from Kerala trained in the Sivananda tradition.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-sandra-of-the-practice-with-sandra-vanatko\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Avery Foster McWilliams<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789407969228-personal_1789407968961_1789407968961_avery_fostermcwilliams_img_1408.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always loved fashion and style. Growing up in Dallas, I followed the DFW influencers, I would save up to buy clothes I loved, worked at a women\u2019s clothing boutique for my first job, and later completed fashion internships at Nordstrom. Fashion has always been one of those things that just felt like me.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/community-highlights-meet-avery-foster-mcwilliams-of-oveya\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>TOLUWALOPE Awodire<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789737662094-personal_1789737661643_1789737661643_toluwalope_awodire_img_6961.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey started with a simple passion for hairstyling and a desire to create something of my own. What started as a skill I was learning gradually became a business and a brand I\u2019m truly proud of, Honeyworldhairs. Along the way, I had to balance different parts of my life.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-toluwalope-awodire-of-honeyworld-the-brand\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Victor Almendariz<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789397459000-personal_1789397459745_1789397459745_victor_almendariz_johnnyhidalgo-19.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and came to the United States to play soccer. At the time, I never imagined that this country would eventually become my home. My plan was simple: come to the U.S., experience playing soccer overseas, and earn my degree in Finance. But, as life often does, my plans changed.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-victor-almendariz-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jasmine Reid<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789396450500-personal_1789396450292_1789396450292_jasmine_reid_img_2436.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I was born with cystic HYGROMA and hemangioma where it\u2019s tumors ( cyst ) in your neck and face area I was mute the first four years of my life I was taught sign language to communicate I have had at least 15 surgeries alone on my face and tongue area due to me having fetal cystic HYGROMA I was created with this disability so there\u2019s no cure you can\u2019t remove the cyst it will leave me paralyzed they do not stop growing it\u2019s a very unpredictable condition you can go to the store come home and barely can speak a clear word it\u2019s not easy I truly live day by day hour by hour I got where I am today after 25 surgeries n procedures I\u2019m still alive I\u2019m a disabled single mom of one it\u2019s been so hard but I am blessed\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-jasmine-reid-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Andriana Dembitska<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789955815897-personal_1789955815700_1789955815700_andriana_dembitska_img_2461.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hi everyone! My name is Andriana, and I\u2019m a Personal Stylist based in Dallas. I\u2019m originally from Ukraine, and I moved to the U.S. more than five years ago. Before moving to the U.S., I worked at a social media marketing agency, so I already had a strong creative background. But moving to a new country meant starting over in many ways.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-andriana-dembitska-of-personal-stylist-andriana-dembitska\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Amber Strauser<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789354038612-personal_1789354038460_1789354038460_amber_strauser_amber-09-17-2025-888-edit.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Amber Strauser is an accomplished entertainer with over 25 years of experience across various performance genres. She graduated from the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas where she was a nationally recognized winner of the YoungArts program in Miami, Florida.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-amber-strauser-of-las-vegas\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mayu Yamashita<\/p>\n<p>Hello!! I\u2019m Mayu Yamashita, a New York based dancer\/actor\/movement artist from Tokyo, Japan. I was inspired by musical films and eventually moved to New York for advanced training and to pursue a career as a performer.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-mayu-yamashitas-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jamila Brown<\/p>\n<p>Raised by my father, I began my journey with hair during adolescence, caring for my own hair and my sister\u2019s. I relied on the basics our mother taught me before the epidemic of the late 1980s took her from our household: shampooing, greasing the scalp, applying Pink Oil Moisturizer, styling bangs with the back left down, creating ponytails, and maybe adding a roller\u2014or four.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-jamila-browns-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Jesse Molina<\/p>\n<p>From the Stockyards of Fort Worth, I grew up without a real blueprint. I had to create my own. As a youngin\u2019, I learned to constantly apply myself. Teaching myself trades, hustles, art, music, and everything in between. Every skill became another piece of the foundation I\u2019m standing on today. Those experiences eventually put me in a position to do more than create.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-jesse-3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Noam David<\/p>\n<p>My journey started when I stopped living for what I thought would be what everyone wanted. I grew up in a normal family, but a lot of my upbringing was rooted in the pressure of succeeding, making money, etc.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-noam-david\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Endia Dawkins<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789160227356-personal_1789160227104_1789160227104_endia_dawkins_5f6b6d52-8089-4511-aeda-a83e85dd0.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>En The Becoming was born from my own becoming. For more than a decade, I built my life and career in the beauty industry as a licensed cosmetologist, educator, trainer and entrepreneur. Hair gave me an opportunity to serve people, build community, teach, create and help others see something in themselves that they may not have seen before.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-endia-dawkinss-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Carlos Sturrock<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve always worked in sales and customer service type roles, usually in fast-paced environments where I was constantly interacting with people. I\u2019ve always enjoyed that part of it, building relationships, solving problems, and figuring out how to create a better experience for the people around me. In 2020, I got into the mortgage industry and started as a loan officer.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-carlos-sturrock-of-hometown-lending\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Oaklyn-Jonas Galloway<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789137928159-personal_1789137928059_1789137928059_oaklynjonas_galloway_img_4113.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story is one of a true entertainer. From the first audition tape to the Disney at eight that I produced myself to making the cut for Making The Band 4 only to be released due to being underage. My five seasons as a professional dancer while raising a toddler, have made me dedicated to my craft in a different way.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-oaklyn-jonas-galloway-of-dallas-fort-worth-2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Sydney Dodson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1788920367293-personal_1788920367122_1788920367122_sydney_dodson_1-2.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>For as long as I can remember, I\u2019ve been obsessed with lettering. I still have papers from 15 years ago covered in my attempts at different fonts and styles, even though I had no idea then what true calligraphy really was. In 2024, I discovered traditional calligraphy and was immediately captivated by it.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-sydney-dodson\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Alley Mane33<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789247939209-personal_1789247939074_1789247939074_alley_mane_1045.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My name\u2019s Alley Rap name Alleymane33 I\u2019m a faith based artists rapping out of Dallas Texas. Grand Prairie to be exact. I\u2019ve always been a huge fan of music. Music has always played a relevant role in my life.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/daily-inspiration-meet-alley-mane33\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Michael Wyatt<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1788573519196-personal_1788573518985_1788573518985_michael_wyatt_11214024_854734607967410_54832922.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Every time I walk into Full City Rooster, I\u2019m reminded of how far this journey has taken us. Coffee roasting, art, music, and community all share the same space, just as I hoped they would. FULL CITY ROOSTER opened in The Cedars neighborhood in 2013.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/exploring-life-business-with-michael-wyatt-of-full-city-rooster\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>MAGDA DIA<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1789129821632-personal_1789129821312_1789129821312_magda_dia_img_2953.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>So many years ago I was looking to connect with my kids and found art (first as a homeroom helper to my first grader and next as an activity with my teenager). In both cases I found a steady rhythm that only the creative process conjures.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-magda-dia-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mini Obhan Jhaveri<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787867690833-personal_1787867690638_1787867690638_mini_obhanjhaveri_img_9341.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My journey with My_Inquisitive_Universe began from my love for fashion, styling, and connecting with people. I am an IT professional by career, but with the encouragement of Neetu Rishi, who introduced me to the world of fashion shows through her first show, FLY \u2013 First Love Yourself, I discovered a passion I never knew I had.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-mini-obhan-jhaveris-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Adrian Hernandez Anderson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787863168188-personal_1787863167995_1787863167995_adrian_hernandezanderson_dsc05198.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story really starts in the classroom. I\u2019m an educator, researcher, and lifelong believer in the power of language and literacy.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-adrian\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rickey \u201cSlikk Muzik\u201d Offord<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787760797683-personal_1787760797584_1787760797584_slikk_muzik_portraits_44792.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Rickey \u201cSlikk Muzik\u201d Offord is a four-time Grammy Award\u2013winning producer and composer whose work has shaped gospel, hip-hop\/r&amp;b, pop and contemporary Christian music. A Dallas native, he left corporate America to pursue his calling in Hollywood, rising to become one of the industry\u2019s most respected producers. In 2016, a routine surgery led to three cardiac arrests, leaving Offord in a coma for thirty-three days.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-rickey-slikk-muzik-offord-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dederick Tubbs<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1786798938309-personal_1786798938203_1786798938203_dederick_tubbs_img_3828.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m a full time employee at West Dallas Community School.\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-dederick-tubbs\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rachel Caprera<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787097958404-personal_1787097958260_1787097958260_rachel_caprera_img_2123.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I \u2018made my bones\u2019 working the pastry and savory lines at Commander\u2019s Palace, a high volume top 100 restaurant in the country. From there I accepted a pastry position at Restaurant August, working directly for Chef Kelly Fields. During my tenure at August, I helped create the pastry program at Willa Jean when it opened.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-rachel-capreras-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kirsten Madrid<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787762777467-personal_1787762777166_1787762777166_kirsten_madrid_img_5094.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m originally from California born and raised and decided to move to Texas for better opportunities and growth. It was hard to leave all my clients I build during the years and leaving all my family back in California. Decided to start fresh moving to Dallas with my husband and two beautiful daughters. I had to start from all over again building my clientele.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/rising-stars-meet-kirsten-madrid-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Bobby Tarron<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787672447479-personal_1787672447199_1787672447199_bobby_tarron_img_1880.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Hello, I\u2019m Bobby Tarron. I\u2019m a father and a filmmaker, 38 years of age. For 20 years I\u2019ve been a professional tattoo artist, shop owner for 10 of those, and a guy who everybody knows as the guy who GIFD\u2014or gets it f***ing done. At 30, I knew what I wanted to aspire to be\u2014a filmmaker, in every sense of the word.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-bobby-tarron-of-dallas-fort-worth\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Chaska Wilkinson<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787675089127-personal_1787675088909_1787675088908_chaska_wilkinson_img_8236.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My real estate career began in June 2020, right in the middle of a year filled with uncertainty and change. A few months later, in September 2020, I was drawn to Monument Realty and joined the very first group of agents to go through their SEALS training program. The training was intense, challenging and exactly what I needed.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/hidden-gems-meet-chaska-wilkinson-of-staged-by-chaska\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Christina Cranshaw<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1787174572513-personal_1787174556904_1787174556904_christina_cranshaw_christinacranshawheadshot-1..png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I knew at an early age that I wanted to be a story-teller. Naturally, when I was younger, I was drawn to certain performers and vowed I\u2019d join them. The likes of Jim Carrey, Robin Williams, and Charlie Chaplin were beacons to me. I gravitated to their stylization, and my love affair with acting began.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/conversations-with-christina-cranshaw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Dajae Williams<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1786820165350-personal_1786820165287_1786820165287_dajae_williams_cc4ca211-f7ab-4c67-a1c5-28ce34ca.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p>My story has taken a few different turns, and honestly, I feel like I have so many areas where I can be creative\\. But looking back, I realize each step was leading me to where I am now\\. I started photography in 2019, but toward the end of 2020, I really began taking it seriously.<a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/check-out-dajae-williamss-story\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Mack Swans<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1788627990870-personal_1788627990764_1788627990764_mack_swans_71d3caf5-1c8a-4d29-b3d7-dd4a7a726480.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m Mack Swans, a hip-hop artist based in Shreveport, born in New Orleans. I started making music when I was 15 (2014) on my phone using GarageBand &amp; transitioned to FL Studio at 16. Trying to make musical arrangements because I was in marching band in high school, I ended up learning how to make beats unintentionally &amp; just started recording verses over them. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/life-work-with-mack-swans-of-other\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Priyanka Bhatia<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/c-1788622555316-personal_1788622555150_1788622555150_priyanka_bhatia_img_8966.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m Priyanka Bhatia, an arts curator hailing from Dehradun, India \u2014 a small town full of eccentrics, artists, and its own peculiar rhythms. I grew up indulging in many forms of art, eventually finding my way to filmmaking and, later, curation. Curation became a way for me to bring different artistic mediums into spaces where ideas can be experienced, rather than simply observed. <a href=\"https:\/\/voyagedallas.com\/interview\/meet-priyanka-bhatia-of-other\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more&gt;&gt;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":446021,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[102,104,103],"class_list":["post-446020","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-dallas","tag-dallas","tag-dallas-headlines","tag-dallas-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446020","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=446020"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/446020\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/446021"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=446020"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=446020"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=446020"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}