Exploring Life & Business with De’Antwan Smith of BlackDiaryLove L.L.C

Today we’d like to introduce you to De’Antwan Smith.

Hi De’Antwan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hello, my name is De’Antwan Smith. I’m 34 years old, born in San Bernardino, California, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I grew up between the South Side 79th Street and Gary, Indiana. I’m a proud alumnus of South Shore High School and William A. Wirt High School.

My story starts with a decision I made early in life not to let a learning disability or being placed in the IEP program define who I was as a young Black man. While others may have seen limitations, I saw a reason to push harder, think differently, and prove to myself that I was capable of building something meaningful.

That mindset carried with me into adulthood.

In 2018, while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, I was forced to slow down physically. But mentally, something shifted. During that time, I spent hours studying businesses, especially Black-owned businesses, content creators, and artists. I noticed a pattern so many talented people were being overlooked simply because they weren’t already famous or financially established.

That didn’t sit right with me.

So I asked myself a simple question: What if I created something that could change that?

That question became the foundation of BlackDiaryLove.

What started as an idea turned into a platform built to highlight, connect, and uplift Black entrepreneurs and creatives across the world from Africa to the United Kingdom, from the United States to Ireland and Japan. The mission has always been to bring our people together, to learn from one another, support one another, and grow together.

In the beginning, everything moved fast. The engagement grew, the network expanded, and opportunities started to come in. But behind the scenes, it was just me handling outreach, managing social media, building relationships, and pushing the vision forward day by day.

It wasn’t easy, but it was purposeful.

And honestly, how I got here is through the help of the Most High Yah (god) His guidance through the good days, the bad days, and the quiet moments when I was working while others were asleep. I’ve heard the negativity. I’ve heard people say, “that little business,” “you’re doing too much,” or “you think you’re better.” I’ve heard doubt from different directions.

But through it all, I kept going.

I stayed focused, kept working, and kept praying for guidance and reassurance throughout the journey. I learned that not everyone will understand your vision and that’s okay.

Because the journey isn’t over. In many ways, it’s just beginning.

BlackDiaryLove is still growing, still evolving, still learning, and still impacting lives. We’re continuing to meet new people, build new relationships, and expand the vision every day.

If I had to describe it, I’d say we’re like the straw hat pirates and black panther navigating unknown waters, learning as we go, but always moving forward with purpose, while supporting and building our community.

BlackDiaryLove didn’t come from perfect circumstances it came from pressure, faith, and the refusal to be defined by limitations. Today, it stands as more than just a brand. It’s a platform built on connection, culture, and the belief that every story deserves to be heard, no matter where you come from, and that you don’t have to be rich or famous to be recognized, you are somebody, whether you believe it or not.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many entrepreneurs, the road hasn’t always been smooth. One of the biggest challenges was simply starting with very limited resources. When I launched BlackDiaryLove, it was just me doing everything networking, reaching out to businesses, managing social media, creating content, marketing, and building relationships. There wasn’t a big team behind me or major funding, just a vision and the willingness to put in the work every day.

Another challenge was learning how to navigate support and expectations. When you build something meant to uplift others, sometimes you realize that the same support you give isn’t always returned. That can be difficult, but it also teaches you to stay focused on the mission rather than outside validation.

On a personal level, I’ve also had to overcome my own obstacles. As a young Black man who was in the IEP program while growing up and dealing with dyslexia on the South Side of Chicago, giving up was never an option for me. If anything, it meant I had to work even harder to make things make sense in ways that might come easier to others. Where some people might glide through things, I had to slow down, study more, and keep pushing forward.

I was told “no” many times. There were moments where people including some family members and friends didn’t believe in the vision or thought I was wasting my time. But even during those moments, I kept working. While others were sleeping, I was still building, still learning, and still pushing BlackDiaryLove forward.

Those challenges didn’t break me they built me. They helped shape my discipline, my mindset, and my commitment to keep going no matter what. Every obstacle became another reason to continue building something meaningful.

At the end of the day, BlackDiaryLove isn’t just about business it’s about reminding people that you don’t have to be famous or rich to be somebody you’re already somebody Whether you know it or not. Your story matters, your work matters, and your voice deserves to be heard.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
BlackDiaryLove is a media and community platform dedicated to highlighting black entrepreneurs, creatives, and businesses that often go unnoticed simply because they are not already famous or wealthy. The platform was created to give visibility to hardworking people and their stories while building connections between creators and entrepreneurs across the world.

Through BlackDiaryLove, I focus on storytelling, networking, and community building. One of the ways we’ve done that is through the BlackDiaryLove Podcast, where I sit down with entrepreneurs and creatives so they can share their journeys, lessons, and experiences in their own words.

What makes BlackDiaryLove unique is that it was built from the ground up with authenticity and purpose. It started as one person with a vision and has grown into a platform that connects people from different backgrounds, industries, and even countries. The goal has always been to create a space where people can learn from each other, support one another, and build meaningful relationships.

What I’m most proud of is the impact the platform has had on entrepreneurs and creators who may not always get the spotlight. BlackDiaryLove was created to remind people that success doesn’t only belong to celebrities or major corporations. Everyday people with passion, discipline, and purpose deserve recognition as well.

As the brand continues to grow, we are also expanding into fashion with the upcoming launch of BlackDiaryApparel, a clothing brand that represents the message and culture behind BlackDiaryLove. The goal is to create apparel that reflects identity, pride, and the spirit of entrepreneurship.

At its core, BlackDiaryLove is about black community, culture, and giving people the opportunity to have their stories heard.

So be in the look for the BlackDiaryLove website and the return of the BlackDiaryApparel clothing brand.

What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t something you measure only by money, fame, or recognition. Success is the ability to keep moving forward, growing, and building something meaningful despite the obstacles you face.

Coming from the South Side of Chicago and overcoming challenges like bullying dyslexia and being placed in the IEP program growing up, success for me has always meant perseverance. It means refusing to give up when things are difficult and continuing to work even when people doubt your vision.

I believe success is also about purpose and impact. If the work you’re doing inspires someone else, helps someone grow, or opens doors for people who might otherwise be overlooked, that’s real success.

For me, success is being able to continue building BlackDiaryLove and creating a platform where entrepreneurs and creatives can share their stories and be recognized for their work. It’s about showing people that you don’t have to be famous or rich to matter.

At the end of the day, success is about staying true to your purpose, trusting the process, and continuing to build even when the journey isn’t easy.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdiarylove and https://www.instagram.com/blackdiaryhealth
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JapsbxNi8/
• Twitter: https://x.com/blackdiarylove_
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@blackdiarylove

Image Credits
Alexis Pitts