Today we’d like to introduce you to Bianca Kea.
Hi Bianca, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Yo Soy AfroLatina was birthed In 2017 by owner and founder Bianca Kea. She spent much of her childhood and adolescent years trying to navigate the duality of her identity only to be met with little to no representation. What originally started as a passion project and a way to connect with other Afro Latinas, Yo Soy AfroLatina has quickly turned Into a growing small business. Over the past few years, the brand has fostered community through our social media accounts and created a safe space that celebrates and honors Afro Latinidad.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
At the beginning of my entrepreneurship journey, I didn’t really come across too many challenges. There were the usual production challenges like finding the right manufacturer, which I was able to overcome using YouTube and a deep Google search. But since then, my biggest hurdle has been trying to find ways to continue to fund YSAL and its growing community. Black and Latinx women combined received just 0.64% of total venture capital investment between 2018-2019 (Fortune, 2020). However, we are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs. In short, the struggle is real and I’m hoping to find ways to overcome that static this year.
As you know, we’re big fans of Yo Soy AfroLatina. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Yo Soy Afro Latina, we are on a mission to empower Black women within the Latin community. Founded by a Black woman, YSAL celebrates Afro-Latinidad in the Americas and we’re here to validate our hermanas’ experience. This is more than a trend or a movement. This is a celebration of a culture that is just as diverse as it is rich in pride.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success means I’ve accomplished something with excellence and ideally have made an impact. Anytime I feel proud after accomplishing something, that’s when I know it was a success.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@yosoyafrolatina.com
- Website: https://yosoyafrolatina.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yosoyafrolatina/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoSoyAfroLatina
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialYSAL
Image Credits
Personal Photo Credit: https://www.instagram.com/trevoykelly/ Additional Photos Credit: Photographer IG: https://www.instagram.com/thecsvisuals/
