Meet Brittany Pogue-Mohammed Acosta | Founder & CEO of Mosaic the Label

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Pogue-Mohammed Acosta and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I’m a born and bred New Yorker- originally from The Bronx. I identify as biracial- my mother is Irish and my father is from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. I never really fit in anywhere I was- my mother was one of the only white people on our block, there were really no other mixed kids around me growing up, I wasn’t of Hispanic/Latinx heritage (which was nationality of the majority of the kids I grew up with). Being biracial in this world allowed me to develop the ability to adapt- so rather than not fitting in anywhere, I was able to fit in anywhere and find common ground with most anyone. But the lack of true representation and the need to “choose one” that is imposed on mixed kids by our society really fueled my passion for the business I started in May of 2021. My daughter is multiracial (Irish, Trinidadian, Black and Puerto Rican) and I wanted to ensure there were products made specifically for her- so she didn’t have to pick one side or compromise who she really is and she was able to see herself reflected in the world around her.

What should our readers know about your business?
Mosaic the Label is the only brand founded by a biracial female entrepreneur and mother that strives to empower and uplift other mixed individuals by creating a space for carefully curated products for those who want to find and solidify their place as mixed-race in a world that often asks us to “just pick one”.

There is power in the in-between. So often, racially and ethnically diverse individuals feel (or are forced) to pick a side, to choose one and identify as such. Whether that force is from their family, friends, or society itself, mixed individuals rarely feel as though they fit in. We want mixed people everywhere to know that it is ok to remain in the in-between, to not choose a side, to embrace and love all sides of yourself.

Designed for mixed kids, by mixed kids. We design lifestyle products for the ethnically and racially diverse. Born out of a need to ensure our daughter saw her whole self (not parts) reflected in the world around her, we set out to create a space where diverse individuals (and those who love them) can show pride in their background by creating and curating products designed just for them. Currently, consumers must search high and low for products fit for a mixed individual. Mosaic the Label is a one-stop shop that does it all for you.

Growing up in The Bronx, NYC, the middle of three first-generation kids, my mother (of Irish and Scandinavian descent) and my father (who immigrated from Trinidad), were one of the few couples I knew who were raising their children together. My parents, both extremely proud people, ensured we knew what we were mixed with and that we took equal pride in both sides. My mother went so far as to buy me a Hispanic Barbie one year because it looked more like me (tan skin, dark hair) and she wanted to ensure that I could see myself in the world around me.

Now that my husband Daniel (Puerto Rican and Black) and I have a daughter of our own, I find myself constantly searching for products for her–books, toys and apparel that depict a variety of skin tones, that speak to a child who is racially diverse–but all that I find are hair care products. My daughter is so much more than her hair.

So, I decided to create what I was looking for myself: a site that caters to biracial and multiracial individuals; a community where all of us can share experiences, ask questions and just talk about the unique issues we face as racially diverse individuals. We want you to show pride in your mix, to feel seen, to be heard and understood. We want you to know that it’s good to live in the in-between–you do not have to choose a side. After all, it’s the parts that make the whole.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are so many sides to New York. When I have people visit, I love to take them to the places they might not typically get to see on a usual visit. Other boroughs besides Manhattan, smaller neighborhoods, attractions that you might not find in a guidebook. I would take them to visit the NY Botanical Garden- I grew up across the street from it in The Bronx and it’s easily my favorite place in New York. We’d explore downtown Brooklyn and do some shopping, go out to eat in Astoria, Queens and head to The Cloisters museum in Manhattan. I grew up going there at least once a year with my Mom and loved it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The mixed community has really embraced me and my mission. They are a source of constant support and incredible feedback. They let me know I’m on the right track and headed in the right direction. They are always there with a kind word and encouragement.

Website: www.mosaicthelabel.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/mosaicthelabel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mosaic-the-Label-101666918684011