Life & Work with Diontae Burden of Bay Area , California

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diontae Burden

Diontae , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Baltimore City. I grew up in West Baltimore in Park Heights. By the time I graduated middle school , I moved to #250, which is a neighborhood in East Baltimore. During that time, I found my creative genius. After graduating high school, I decided that I wanted to go to California to chase my dreams of playing college basketball and becoming a Creative Entrepreneur. In the summer of 2016, I drove my Chevy Impala 2,500 miles from Baltimore City to California. It took me about three days and a half to make it. When I arrived, I was on a mission to make my presence felt. In 2022, I started “We Ova Me University,” which is a creative brand that designs custom merchandise, offers healing art classes, and hosts events to unite the Black community worldwide. I got to where I am today by staying true to myself , being self – motivated, and persevering through all life’s struggles. By 2025 , I am planning to expand my portfolio to London, where I will be pushing my creative ventures to new heights through fashion design and music.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was tough coming from where I came from. While I was making a name for myself , it finally hit me that I was alone in California. I had to start from ground zero on my own. But I was motivated to keep going, because I knew my story wasn’t done yet. After I started attending networking events, I began showcasing my true self. Eventually, everyone began to support me and what I had created. It was all worth it in the end, because I knew “it was always bigger than me,” – Diontae B.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a multifaceted creative. My main passions right now are fashion design and music. I specialize in storytelling through music and creating custom merchandise that uplifts my people. I am proud of the impact that I’ve had on my community. It’s a great feeling being able to create inclusive spaces for other creatives that look like me. What makes me different from everybody else is that I am selfless, unapologetic, and original.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is what you make it, not what you call it. Also, it means being able to put those around you in positions to make their dreams a reality. Success to me is not defined by how much I have earned, but it’s about the impact I make on people’s lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.diontaeburden.org/

Image Credits
Derrina Johnson
Deangelo James