Viannca Vélez

Communications and Narrative Director

Hailing from Jersey City, NJ, Viannca Vélez has had a successful 15-year career in Communications. Her experience ranges from broadcast journalism and podcasting to television & digital production, fundraising, marketing and community engagement strategies for nonprofit organizations. She is currently the Communications and Narrative Director for Represent Justice, overseeing the organization's communications strategy across traditional and digital platforms. 

An avid storyteller and cultural preserver, Viannca founded Cultura Lovers, a podcast and platform dedicated to cultural empowerment and reconnection through storytelling and story sharing. One of the most meaningful endeavors she has taken on is becoming a practitioner of Afro-Puerto Rican musical traditions Bomba & Plena. Viannca performs throughout NJ and surrounding areas with Segunda Quimbamba and has performed in Puerto Rico at the 2019 Libre Soberao Festival and as part of the Diaspora’s Delegation at the 2019, 2022 and 2023 Encuentro de Tambores.

A graduate of Seton Hall University, Viannca also serves as the host of the Seton Hall Pirate’s Eye Alumni Podcast and as a regular facilitator of cultural panel discussions and workshops.