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Trinity Simone is Dismantling Systems of Oppression and Uplifting Black Culture One Design At a Time
by Yasmine Jameelah
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August 30, 2023

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Trinity Simone is Dismantling Systems of Oppression and Uplifting Black Culture One Design At a Time

Trinity Simone is the founder and creative visionary behind Black Vibe Tribe, the globally recognized and culturally relevant e-commerce apparel brand. At 14-years-old, with her ancestor’s guidance, she created the Black Vibe Tribe. Just six years later, her clothing line is now featured at Nordstrom Phipps Plaza in Atlanta, GA, an experience that meant the world to Simone. Still, what matters most to her is her own tribe, her family.

 

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A post shared by TRINITY SIMONE (@mstrinitysimone)

I am very intentional about giving back to my family and tribe, as well as reaching back to help others as I climb. If I’m not positively impacting others on this journey, I’m not doing it right. This journey would not amount to what it has been, if not for my community. It takes a village, and I am a testament of that. I come from a resilient people whose power knows no bounds, and my motivation is to make sure that I continue to honor and celebrate that through the work I do and the messages that I amplify.”

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Yasmine Jameelah: What’s the story behind Black Vibe Tribe?

Trinity Simone (Courtesy of Trinity Simone)

Trinity Simone: In my adolescent years, I was raised to embrace our rich lineage and culture. I was made aware of our ancestor’s adversities, achievements, and advancements as a people. It was the enriching upbringing, them pouring the foundation upon which I stand today, and my parents’ unwavering guidance that allowed me to intricately build this brand from the ground up. This was the inspiration that paved the way for the creation and success of Black Vibe Tribe. With a steady passion to amplify the advocacy efforts of our people and let my voice ring through the medium of apparel, I birthed Black Vibe Tribe at the tender age of 14. My goal was to connect, love, uplift, and build with those deriving from the African Diaspora. I believed that if we instilled these pillars and values in our everyday lifestyle and actions, that we would advance ourselves to a place of true freedom and liberation. I not only stand by the pillars in our tagline — but I embody them with authenticity. Present day, Black Vibe Tribe serves as a powerful vessel for love and the uplift-ment of our people; paying homage to the ancestors and encapsulating the vibrant tapestry of Black culture within our pieces. My work celebrates the indomitable spirit, rich history, and resiliency of my people, while challenging societal norms and urging unity and the dismantling of oppressive systems.

Yasmine Jameelah: Your social media is filled with beautiful photos of your family helping you grow Black Vibe Tribe. How does it feel to have their support?

Trinity Simone: It means the world to me. If not for my family, then this brain child of an imaginative, vibrant 14-year-old girl would not have left the confines of my mind. My parents fostered my wildest dreams and invested in my ideas. They are my greatest assets and most appreciated counsel. They have never led me astray and have stood by my side through every peak, valley and unexpected detour. I am eternally grateful and blessed to have received them as my parents and business partners. I would be remiss to not also take this opportunity to thank my grandparents who have relentlessly encouraged and uplifted me through this journey. To see the pride they take in wearing my products, distributing my business cards, and spreading the word of my endeavors, floods my heart with an unsurmountable joy that I cannot describe. 

And to my siblings — they know what it is. From the womb to the tomb, bound together like glue, they mean the world to me. I thank them for being the friends that I didn’t choose, but would’ve chosen and for rooting me on even when the stands were empty. They are the definition of day ones. 

Yasmine Jameelah: Your dedication to Black Maternal Health and messaging through your brand is a passion of yours. What inspired you to design apparel in support of the movement?

Black Vibe Tribe (Courtesy of Trinity Simone)

Trinity Simone: My mom was a doula when I was a young child, and I was able to bear witness to her dedication to the movement of advocating for better maternal health outcomes for Black women. I watched her rally at Capitol Hill, assist in bringing life into this world, and hear about her experiences as a Black woman in the birthing space battling these deeply rooted biased and discriminatory practices in the healthcare industry. As if that already didn’t serve as purpose enough to embolden my passion for this cause, I also saw my mother give birth at home, not once, but twice (one of those times being an unassisted home birth.) I cut the umbilical cords of both of my younger brothers and watched how beautiful the birthing process can be when you do it on your own terms, with full trust in your body to do what it was created to do, and a support system that roots for you. This consequentially led to my older sisters giving birth at home as well, and I was just completely floored at witnessing firsthand the resiliency, strength, and power we have as Black women to accomplish this feat of bringing life into this world. 

However, always having a hunger for knowledge, I would later immerse myself into these statistics and horror stories of Black women dying during childbirth and my curiosity of why that was, wouldn’t allow me to just accept it. I would learn that there is a Black Maternal Health Crisis happening in America and I felt the need to use my platform to shed light on it. 

Yasmine Jameelah: Black women are starting businesses faster than any racial group, but that doesn’t mean we don’t struggle to bring our dreams to life. On your hardest days, what keeps you going?

 

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A post shared by TRINITY SIMONE (@mstrinitysimone)

Trinity Simone: The idea that the hard days won’t last and that this too shall pass. I’ve had this business for 6 years and if there’s one thing that I’ve learned, it’s that entrepreneurship is one of the most unpredictable journeys you can venture into. Fortunately, Black Vibe Tribe is weathering a nationwide pandemic, recession, an inflation-riddled society, shipping delays, and so much more. We continue to do the work as we manifest better days ahead of us. I know that I have the spirit of my ancestors running through me, which gives me the power to dig a little deeper and continue to push forward. There are so many days that make you want to say, “Yea, I’m done, this is too much” so you have to take a moment, get with your people, communicate how you feel and why you’re feeling it, regroup, remember your why and keep your eye on the prize! 

Yasmine Jameelah: Can you share your happiest moment as a business owner with me?

Trinity Simone: Oooo, there are so many!

  1. Running a 5v5 basketball competition with my family in the back of our warehouse
  2. Watching Gayle King mention Black Vibe Tribe on CNN Morning News
  3. Meeting and being interviewed by Steve Harvey
  4. Seeing the singer Monica wear Black Vibe Tribe and post about it on Instagram
  5. Experiencing my first big “sell out” moment, where the release of my “Defend Black Motherhood” puff print and tie dye tees sold out within 15 minutes
  6. Hitting a six-figure month
  7. Moving into an office/warehouse space
  8. Having both grandmothers come to support the business when we had an overabundance of orders
  9. Receiving a $10k grant from Fearless Fund and the Tory Burch Foundation
  10. Dedicating one month to Black Maternal Health Awareness, where I interviewed and did IG Lives with like-minded individuals and professionals who are as passionate about this issue as I am
  11. Partnering with Howard University’s Men’s Basketball Team for their Black Maternal Health initiative
  12. Donating over $1,000 to Mamatoto Village, a maternal health center located in D.C.
  13. Sponsoring and hosting a firearm safety workshop and training for Black women after the death of Breonna Taylor
  14. Most recently, being selected and invited to present Black Vibe Tribe at Nordstrom Phipps Plaza in Atlanta, GA

 

There have been so many happy days and so many memorable moments. This has definitely been a journey and I could not be more thankful.

Yasmine Jameelah: In honor of Black Business Month, what does being an entrepreneur mean to you?

Trinity Simone: In my eyes, being an entrepreneur means possessing a level of tenacity and fearlessness to double down on yourself and chase your dreams while neglecting to conform to society’s standards of traditionalism or “fit in” with what’s considered normal. We do not operate within anybody else’s confines. We march to the beat of our own drum. 

Black Business Month is coming to a close, but we support Black business owners 365. To learn more about Trinity Simone’s work, visit her website to shop her brand, and follow Black Vibe Tribe across their social media platforms. 

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