Vision That Speaks Volumes: How Vontélle Is Redefining Eyewear with Confidence, Culture, and Clarity
An interview with founders Tracy Green and Nancey Harris
When Tracy Green and Nancey Harris repeatedly found themselves frustrated by lost or ill-fitting glasses, they didn’t just solve a personal problem—they sparked a revolution. As co-founders of Vontélle, the first Black women-owned eyewear company to land national partnerships with Nickelodeon and National Vision Inc., the duo is not only transforming an industry but reclaiming space that has long excluded diverse facial features, cultural influences, and personal stories.
In this candid conversation, they reflect on building a brand after 50, prioritizing mental wellness as entrepreneurs, and staying rooted in heritage without compromising vision.
From Frustration to Innovation
What inspired you to transform your frustration of losing your own eyeglasses into a full-fledged business, especially one that champions Black culture and heritage?
Tracy & Nancey:
They say, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and losing our glasses became the catalyst for a much larger mission. It wasn’t just about solving our own frustrations—it was about filling a major gap in the market.
We saw that eyewear was mostly one-dimensional in design: narrow nose bridges, short temples, lenses that didn’t suit our faces. And beyond the fit, there was no representation—no eyewear that celebrated the vibrant patterns, textures, and heritage of Black culture.
Vontélle was born from our desire to offer something bold, meaningful, and inclusive. Every frame tells a story rooted in African and Latin Diaspora designs. Our mission is not just about better-fitting glasses—it’s about reclaiming space in an industry where we’ve long been overlooked.
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Vision That Speaks Volumes: How Vontélle Is Redefining Eyewear with Confidence, Culture, and Clarity
An interview with founders Tracy Green and Nancey Harris
When Tracy Green and Nancey Harris repeatedly found themselves frustrated by lost or ill-fitting glasses, they didn’t just solve a personal problem—they sparked a revolution. As co-founders of Vontélle, the first Black women-owned eyewear company to land national partnerships with Nickelodeon and National Vision Inc., the duo is not only transforming an industry but reclaiming space that has long excluded diverse facial features, cultural influences, and personal stories.
In this candid conversation, they reflect on building a brand after 50, prioritizing mental wellness as entrepreneurs, and staying rooted in heritage without compromising vision.
From Frustration to Innovation
What inspired you to transform your frustration of losing your own eyeglasses into a full-fledged business, especially one that champions Black culture and heritage?
Tracy & Nancey:
They say, “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and losing our glasses became the catalyst for a much larger mission. It wasn’t just about solving our own frustrations—it was about filling a major gap in the market.
We saw that eyewear was mostly one-dimensional in design: narrow nose bridges, short temples, lenses that didn’t suit our faces. And beyond the fit, there was no representation—no eyewear that celebrated the vibrant patterns, textures, and heritage of Black culture.
Vontélle was born from our desire to offer something bold, meaningful, and inclusive. Every frame tells a story rooted in African and Latin Diaspora designs. Our mission is not just about better-fitting glasses—it’s about reclaiming space in an industry where we’ve long been overlooked.
