Ayana Herndon

Ayana Herndon (she/her) is a NYC and L.A.-based commerce writer for Blavity's 21Ninety. With a passion for lifestyle writing, her pieces focus on plus-size fashion, beauty and wellness topics relating to people of color. She's an early career multimedia journalist with over two years of experience. Her work has appeared in Women's Wear Daily, Popsugar and more. Through her work, she aims to amplify communities of color in servicing them with tips and expert advice to live healthier, happier lives. Some of her achievements include: •A 2021 ABFF Comedy Festival (American Black Film Festival) nomination for best podcast for her podcast The AA Podcast •Writing over 200+ fashion and beauty articles as a former Trending News Writer at Women's Wear Daily •Interviewing Black handbag designer Brandon Blackwood, costume designer Ruth Carter and more fashion industry experts When she's not writing, she's working on her podcast, scrolling on TikTok for the latest beauty and fashion trends, or browsing around T.J. Maxx for way too long. She graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with her B.A. in Magazine, News and Digital Journalism. Follow Ayana @prettybehindthepen on Instagram.