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she wanted to add value to black women everywhere while creating a community. “In a world where I felt aimless, the mantra Black Woman on a Mission became my north star, always guiding me to a higher purpose. I decided to share the mantra through clothes, and in the process gained an amazing community.

Viviana knows the pressures black women face daily. She previously worked as a lobbyist in DC and says there are systemic issues that attempt to impact black women’s growth and hinder their resilience. “Historically the way legislation and laws were crafted to stump our growth not just as black people but also as women. That’s a double whammy. When we look at legislation like the CROWN Act, it sounds so simple, right? To be able to exist and work without having our hair policed in the workplace so we can work in an environment that is productive and conducive. We shouldn’t have to change who we are to fit in. We’ve come a long way but still have so much work to do for decision-makers to acknowledge there is an issue. We have to continue to educate our legislature on what our experiences are.”

Viviana says using her brand and platform is important to amplify and encourage black women. She says having positive spaces for black women is vital. “For so long, black women have been grossly overlooked and our work is so powerful, so vital, and so important. If you look back at major movements, we’ve been at the forefront, albeit in the shadows of so many of them. By