William Blount, 26, is seated at a bar, completely enveloped in his work. He’s unbothered by the sounds coming from the people at the bar.

Reading press releases and Googling new developments, Blount is a man on a mission. More commonly known to many as Bright_bill3000 on Instagram, Blount has a passion for cities and the stories of how those cities came to be. Born and raised in Atlanta, his childhood was shaped by the urban environment that surrounded him.

Blount’s early years were spent in East Point, off Cleveland Avenue, where his mother, Lolita Blount, 60, worked as an elementary school teacher at Oak Knoll Elementary School, which is now called The Rise Schools. Blount said his mother instilled a love for learning and exploration within him. His father, Clarence Blount, 66, is an HVAC technician and used to own his own business, Blōunt Heating and Air. 

Blount’s father is responsible for introducing him to the cityscape of Atlanta. He would take Blount into the city often while on different jobs, igniting a fascination with architecture and urban development.

“My childhood was spent immersed in maps, buildings, and drawings,” Blount said. “I was always drawn to the city, even from a young age. My dad gave me a map one day, and that sparked a lifelong hobby of exploring and understanding cities.”

Despite initially pursuing studies in animation at Savannah College of Art & Design following his graduation from Langston Hughes High School in 2015, Blount’s passion for urban planning and development remained steadfast. “It was always in the back of my head,” he explained. “I kept up with every project happening while I was in school. It was just something I liked to do.”

After graduating from SCAD in 2019…