When Victoria Reese Brathwaite was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012, she quickly realized how invisible women like her were in the conversation about chronic illness. Few images, studies, or stories reflected Black women living with MS, and even fewer acknowledged the unique barriers they face in healthcare. That realization became her turning point. What began as isolation transformed into a mission to build visibility, voice, and validation for others walking a similar path.
As the Founder and President of We Are ILL, a 501(c)(3) patient advocacy organization, Brathwaite is challenging outdated narratives about what “sick” looks like. Through We Are ILL, she has created a movement that empowers Black women living with multiple sclerosis to reclaim their stories, advocate for themselves, and demand inclusion in research, policy, and healthcare decision-making.
“When I was diagnosed, I realized how few stories reflected women who looked like me,” she says. “No one was checking for Black women in the space. That moment pushed me to turn isolation into impact. We Are ILL was born to make Black women visible in spaces where our health stories are often missing.”
The results have been powerful. “Representation changes everything,” Brathwaite explains. “I’ve seen women finally feel seen, patients start asking better questions, and companies in the healthcare industry rethink how they engage Black patients. It’s proof that inclusion leads to better outcomes for everyone.”
Her work extends beyond advocacy. As the founder of Victor Group Creative, a healthcare marketing agency, Brathwaite helps brands and organizations authentically connect with diverse communities. Her approach blends strategy and empathy to create meaningful, sustainable change. “Empathy keeps the work human; strategy makes it scalable,” she says. “That balance helps organizations move from performative to purposeful engagement.”
Brathwaite believes too many companies miss the mark when trying to engage communities of color. “Too many brands talk about us instead of with us,” she says. “Authentic engagement starts with partnership, not performance. Communities can tell when you’re showing up to serve versus to check a box.”
As a speaker, entrepreneur, and advocate, Brathwaite continues to amplify what she calls “data with a soul”—the power of personal stories to influence systemic change. “Start small, but start real,” she encourages. “Your story is data with a soul. When patients own their narratives, they don’t just raise awareness—they reshape systems.”
Through her work with We Are ILL and Victor Group Creative, Victoria Reese Brathwaite is showing the world that advocacy can be bold, strategy can be compassionate, and that visibility itself is a form of healing.
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