We had the good fortune of connecting with Nigeria Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nigeria, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that life presents you with challenges and risk along the way and that taking risks shows courage, strength, and the ability to survive. Taking risks has been a pivotal point in every plot twist in my story. From losing my mom in a very traumatic way and deciding to join the Air Force at 18, to finding love and getting married and having two beautiful children. I have always basked in my ability to take calculated-risks. I found myself uprooting my entire life in my early thirties and moving to Iraq as a civilian for 3 years to work along with the military. Which is where I discovered my passion for fashion. While ‘down range’ with the soldiers, I produced and hosted two major fashion shows in Baghdad, Iraq. Eventually, I found myself running my now successful “Black, Veteran, Woman-Owned Clothing Brand: STORY,LLC.

Take a risk! The risk you’re afraid to take might change your life and/or your STORY.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets us apart:

Story clothing line was inspired by my children and honors our ancestors. I can remember growing up and listening to the stories of the “grown folk.” We lacked the distraction of the internet and social media; people talked more. I make it my collective work (my entire tribe helps with Story) and responsibility to encourage all to share their “True Story” while reminding them “The Story Continues” and exclaiming “I love my story!”

Our design process is very collaborative. We work with local visual artists to curate designs for our apparel giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
1) RPM

2) Barcode

3) Smithsonian African American History Museum

4) The Escape Room

5) The Spy Museum

6) Shopping!! Shopping! …more SHOPPING!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to recognize my children. I began this brand to make sure that my children not only knew their story but understood the fact that their story has value. I wanted to empower them to be comfortable telling their stories with the understanding that their story could help someone else. One of the most amazing things about my brand is being able to witness how much my children are impacted by the work that I do daily. I have become their in-home influencer.

Website: https://knowourstory.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knowourstoryclothing/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StoryLLC1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KnowOurSTORYClothing/

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