An Interview with Victoria Carrington Chávez: Founder of La Mezcla Collaborative
Victoria Carrington Chávez is an authentic storyteller, branded strategist, and visual arts expert. Her work spans across several industries including 6-figure brands to grassroots nonprofits and thought leaders. She is a Colorado native and as she and I discussed, her family has been living there for over six generations. The content creator identifies herself as Afro Indigenous Latina (Latine or Latinx depending on space), as queer, and as neurodivergent.
Yet at the heart of all of these identities lies something much more impressive. Victoria is a creative person whose experience and upbringing taught her that at the heart of her story is a human one. Feeling as though she was often forced to choose between categories, she realized that picking one box wasn't working. It is this resistance of the box that inspired her to tell authentic stories.
In a recent interview, Victoria discussed herself, her journey, and her work. She also shared some of the ways that she keeps going on the days when it was most difficult. The Creator is coming off of her most recent TEDx Talk at Portsmouth. "I've been emotional since I did it. The support and messages that I received show others are resonating with my Talk."
Her TED talk will be available for viewing in Fall 2024. Thanks to the work of her supportive team, a virtual live-screen gave viewers the opportunity to watch her live. When she was on the stage, Victoria told the story of her Mom and her brave act of resistance against categories. In her first week of third grade, Victoria was called down to the Principal's office and her Mom's presence was requested.
Victoria's mother was furious. When she arrived, she asked the secretary what happened?
Their response infuriated her Mom. They would not allow her daughter into her class before the paperwork was not filled out "correctly." What was this great matter of concern?
On stage in front of her audience, Victoria revealed the answer. When her mother first filled out the paperwork she refused to mark Victoria's "race." At the time, one had to choose between "African American" or "Hispanic."
Her mother looked at the school secretary in opposition. "My daughter is neither one or the other."
She later told Victoria when they were alone, "Mija, you aren’t one or the other. You are all of who you are."
Victoria's story garnered praise and applause from audiences when she took the stage at TEDx Portsmouth. Her journey was a powerful demonstration of authentic storytelling. The same method that her company, La Mezcla Collective, consults clients on.
She explained that her experience navigating her identities tends to vary depending on the social context. Amongst other BIPOC groups, she noted that many of them could see that she belonged to their community, inviting her in even if they didn’t know the details. In other spaces though-- especially in predominantly White ones-- there was less reception and invitations of belonging.
Victoria's work is about using her experience and skills to raise awareness to the current divides and the systems that are built upon them. She also bridges these cultural gaps through authentic storytelling and encourages us to push past our labels and to see people for who they are rather than what they are. These labels are often complex and can impact people at multiple levels. "If the systems we build are not working and there are people getting hurt by them...it is time to imagine different ones."
The Creative believes in the power of authentic storytelling to change mindsets and behaviors. One of her favorite speakers, Theo EJ Wilson, serves as one inspiration for her work. She was compelled by his ability to infiltrate the alt-right to learn more about how they saw the world. Just like him, both of the speakers create bridges that otherwise would have gone unbuilt.
Building a sense of community and belonging starts with listening and creating connections. Victoria's
Mom likes to share the story of how her father (Victoria's grandfather) was not too enthusiastic about her dating and marrying her husband and Victoria's father. Once Victoria was born though, her Grandfather got to know her father and realized that he was a good man. Through encounter, and collaboration, and raising Victoria...her grandfather’s mind opened and he accepted her father.
One of Victoria’s most recent ventures was coming out to her parents. Though she was raised in a very religious household, both of her parents accepted her. It is a privilege that is often denied to many and Victoria recognizes that.
She said, "I have empathy for those who cannot be their most authentic selves because it is not safe. It is the reason why I am doing the work that I am doing. To help others see themselves and know they aren’t alone. Hiding your true self is not healthy for anyone in the long run."
Victoria herself had her own experiences with masking when she was in high school. She recalled how back then she used to dye her hair with blond streaks, straighten it, and wear green eye contacts. When she looks at her old photos, she barely recognizes herself. "I came more into my own as I got older."
Today, the speaker owns her identity as a queer, Afro Indigenous Latina with neurodivergence. Tapping into the various parts of her identity, as a brand strategist, Victoria aspires to help brands know and understand their audiences and improve their outreach initiatives. In her experience, a lot of previous targeting often falls into the trap of stereotyping or misrepresenting the very markets they are trying to reach.
She said, "I want to tell more authentic stories so that audiences can see and feel seen in these marketing campaigns."
She also built a community of supporters that cheer for her and celebrate common interests. One of her greatest champions is Aicilia Lewis, who serves as one of Victoria's Business Cartographers helping her map out her strengths as entrepreneur. Victoria also actively seeks out books that are written by Latinas for Latinas in the corporate and professional space. One of those books Jefa in Training led her to an inspirational mentor, multicultural business strategist Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda.
She found that mentorship is a key to her success. After going to Mexico with 11 other successful Jefas as a part of Ashley’s Jefa Circle, Victoria found community support in her entrepreneur journey. "I surround myself with lionesses. We not only celebrate each other's wins but we also support one another. Whenever one of us succeeds, we all succeed."
It was her mentors who actually advised her on how to better tailor systems that would support her and her entrepreneurship. The Entrepreneur admitted that she sometimes couldn't relate to the advice that many entrepreneur guidebooks offered because they did not take into account those with neurodivergence. "My business strategists and mentors told me that the reason why I was struggling so much was because I was working in systems that were not built for me. They helped me in building systems that would work best for my brain.”
Community has been one of the drivers for her success. "I think about my journey and I don't believe anyone who says that they made it on their own. In my experience, I am here because other people were there to raise and uplift me. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely and challenging. It becomes much easier with a community."
The Creative knows what it means to bootstrap. She spent many sleepless nights building her business. However, she knows that her community provides a support system that many do not. It was her community who set up the virtual watch-party while she took the TED stage. And it was her community that cheered he own and showed up celebrating her accomplishment.
Victoria said, "I felt so supported in that moment. I went back through and I saw various parts of my identity in the chat. They were all so encouraging. I was crying tears of gratitude."
After finishing her TEDx talk, Victoria still has more in store. The Creative is getting ready to launch La Mezcla Collaborative (formerly Lilac & Aspen) and utilize the proven methods and strategies to help her community and client’s work. Coming from the stage, Victoria realized that a lot of people regardless of their background resonated with her story. She is confident that authentic storytelling-- coupled with her status as a micro-influencer-- will help significantly impact people's lives and uplift her clients.
When asked what advice she would give to younger people experiencing similar trials she endured, she said, "You matter. Your stories matter. Even if life feels like a desert there is an oasis. Find yours, and don't let go of your creative self."
Check out Victoria's website and view her services here. She is open for collaboration and for taking on new clients. You can also follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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