Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman, smiles wide in pink lip gloss, a royal purple fedora, and studded aviator glasses. A belted neon zebra trench, gold beaded necklace with a heart pendant, and a hint of black dress stand out against a soft pink-purple backdrop, with her headrest peeking through.

Hi there, it’s Andraéa!

Andraéa LaVant is a cultural strategist, storyteller, and proud Black disabled woman who has spent over two decades sparking conversations that challenge norms and create lasting impact. As founder and president of LaVant Consulting Inc., she helps brands and organizations “speak disability with confidence”—from grassroots nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies.

Equal parts grace and sass, Andraéa claims the title, Duchess of Diplomatic Shade—delivering truth with boldness, care, and just the right amount of edge. She gained international recognition as Impact Producer for Netflix’s Oscar-nominated Crip Camp, executive produced by President Barack and Mrs. Michelle Obama. In 2021, she made history as the first visibly disabled Black woman on the Oscars red carpet. Through storytelling, strategy, and unapologetic creativity, her work challenges norms and shifts narratives —earning features on Good Morning America, NBC, Essence, and other leading media platforms.

At the heart of her work is fostering communities of belonging where identity is not a barrier but a source of power. She continues to help reimagine a world where equity, access, and joy are foundational, not optional.

When she’s not shifting culture, you’ll find her sipping a seasonal latte, serving a statement look, or singing 90s R&B like she missed her calling. Her service dog, Goji, is always close by and ready for the spotlight!

What is “Diplomatic Shade”?

[noun] A response to a professional contact being wack.

The subtle art of couching shade in so much expert language that the recipient doesn’t realize they’ve been slighted.

What shapes my story:

Passion

Community

Creativity

Authenticity

They guide how I show up on and off the page.

No matter the room, I show up anchored and aligned.

Meet the whole me

Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman in ombré-orange glasses, gold jewelry, jeweled nails, and a chartreuse blazer, sits behind an executive desk slightly smiling. Her mermaid braids fall over her shoulders. In front of her are a mug with 90s TV logos, a journal, paper flowers in a bottle vase, and a framed photo of her dog, Goji, with her wheelchair subtly visible.

The Pen Provocateur

Role: Creative storyteller

Signature strength: Writing that amplifies diverse experiences

Not your average author:

My intersectional identities—including my evangelical upbringing—color my perspective.

Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman with dark brown mermaid braids, sits in her power chair wearing black cat-eye glasses, a black chiffon dress, and a red and blue jacquard capelet. Her glossy red lips, extravagant nails, and bold jewelry shine as she gazes upward, framed by open red velvet curtains.

The Mic Drop Maven

Role: Expert speaker

Signature strength: Visibilizing the invisible voices

Not your average truth-teller:

I don’t add to the noise to make a resounding impact. I speak when there’s something worth saying.

Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman, looks smug and powerful, seated in her wheelchair with the headrest and joystick visible. Her ombré-orange hexagon glasses and fuchsia gloss complement wavy, two-tone mermaid braids cascading down her arms. A chartreuse blazer, black dress, jeweled nails, and gold jewelry stand out against a brown slatted wood backdrop.

The Gentle
Groundbreaker

Role: Innovative CEO

Signature strength: Bridge-building between communities or cultures

Not your average leader:

With intentional presence and purpose, I guide others toward clarity, confidence, and wholeness.

Work with Andraéa

For your reference

Approved photos for download.

Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman, smiles slightly with closed lips, seated in her fuchsia and white power chair wearing a royal purple fedora and studded aviator glasses. A neon zebra trench, jeweled nails, and rhinestone slippers stand out against a pinky-peach ombré backdrop.

Download Headshot 1

Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman with dark brown mermaid braids, smiles with her head tilted slightly, seated in her power chair. She wears black cat-eye glasses, a black chiffon dress, a red and blue jacquard capelet, bold jewelry, and extravagant nails. A red velvet curtain peeks into the gray-toned frame.

Download Headshot 2

Close-up of Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman with two-tone mermaid braids, smiling wide in profile with a visible silver tooth gem. She wears studded aviator glasses, pink lip gloss, and a beaded gold heart necklace over a neon zebra trench, with a hint of black dress showing. The softly blurred backdrop includes tan feathers and a white wall.

Download Headshot 3

Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman with dark brown mermaid braids, sits in her power chair wearing black cat-eye glasses, a black chiffon dress, and a red and blue jacquard capelet. Her glossy red lips, extravagant nails, and bold jewelry stand out as she gazes forward with a sharp, unsmiling expression, framed by open red velvet curtains. Her service dog, Goji, stands at her left side, peeking through beside the curtain, looking off.

Download Headshot 4

Or, get my whole media kit

Official bio and ready-to-use info for press or events.

Download media kit

A book is in the
works…

It’s a deeper exploration of the themes I share in Whole Notes—the stories behind the stories.

Come along as I begin to shape them into something lasting.

Andraéa LaVant, a pecan-brown Black woman, smiles wide at the camera from the side while seated at a desk. She wears a bright blue jumper and a colorful patchwork silk kimono, with loose braids wrapped in a deep fuchsia headwrap. Behind her is a purple office with books, a painting, a window, and curtains.