We recently connected with Johary Peralta and have shared our conversation below.

Johary , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Divines NYC was born from both pain and purpose. As a Dominican woman, chef, and entrepreneur who’s worn many hats—from sales at luxury brands to running my own businesses—I know firsthand how hard it is for women of color to break into rooms we weren’t invited to. I created Divines NYC because I was tired of waiting for a seat at someone else’s table—I built my own and made space for others.

My mission is to empower women entrepreneurs—especially Black and Latin women—through real connections, resources, and community. But it’s more than just networking or pop-ups. It’s about healing, growing, and making money in spaces where we can be our whole selves—spiritual, creative, bold, and powerful.

Divines NYC is meaningful to me because it represents every woman who’s ever felt unseen, unsupported, or underestimated. It’s about creating generational change, not just income. And it’s about sisterhood—the kind that lifts you up, prays over your business, and shows up for you in every room.

Johary , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Johary Peralta, but most people call me Diiva. I’m a Dominican & Brazilian multi-business owner, chef, pastry artist, spiritual leader, and founder of Divines NYC—a women-led powerhouse movement rooted in sisterhood, entrepreneurship, and cultura.

But let me keep it real—I didn’t start from the top. Before building my business, I was a housekeeper cleaning Airbnbs and hotels, I experienced homelessness, and I know what it’s like to have nothing but a dream and a prayer. I’ve worked luxury retail at Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Danger Dover & Mack Weldon , but it was during the hardest moments—sleeping on floors and still showing up to work with a smile—that I built the resilience and hunger that now fuels everything I do.

Divines NYC was born from my pain, my purpose, and my passion to create something bigger than myself. It’s a network, a movement, and a safe space for Black and Latin women to heal, build their businesses, and connect with real opportunities. From cultural festivals and women’s retreats in the Dominican Republic, to sold-out pop-up experiences in NYC, Divines NYC is where strategy meets spirituality—and where women become unstoppable.

What makes me different? I don’t just talk business—I’ve lived the struggle. I help women go from overlooked to overbooked. I’m proof that you can rise from rock bottom and build a brand that touches millions. I teach from experience, lead with heart, and never gatekeep the tools I’ve used to succeed.

I’m most proud of helping over 200 small businesses gain exposure, confidence, and community through Divines NYC. My brand is more than a business—it’s a movement. And if you’re ready to tap into your divine power, you’re in the right place.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was believing that every network host operates with the same heart and integrity that I do. I used to think if someone was running a women’s empowerment space, they had to be genuine. But last year, I went to a retreat in Puerto Rico that changed everything for me—and not in a good way.

I invested my time, energy, and money into attending this retreat, led by someone I once called a sister. I trusted her, believing she had good intentions and would create a safe, healing space. Instead, I found myself abandoned, left to figure out my own accommodations, spending more money than expected, and completely let down. It felt like I was scammed—by someone I deeply supported and believed in.

That experience taught me a hard truth: not everyone who says “sisterhood” means it. And not all spaces are built with integrity. But it also sparked a fire in me. I knew I could create something real, something rooted in trust, culture, and true community. That’s why I pour so much love and intention into Divines NYC—because I know how it feels to be let down, and I never want another woman to feel that way under my leadership.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that truly shows my resilience takes me back to when I was just 18 years old—a new mom, homeless, broke, and overwhelmed. I had no money, no partner, no real support system—only my mother, who did what she could, but we were both struggling. There were nights I couldn’t even afford milk for my baby. The weight of it all pushed me to a dark place, and yes, I attempted to take my own life. I felt hopeless, like there was no way out.

But God had other plans.

With the little strength I had left—and the love of my daughter and my mother—I picked myself back up. I worked day and night, cleaned houses and Airbnbs, and slowly started building myself into the woman I am today. I became a chef, a baker, an entrepreneur, and a leader. I founded Divines NYC not just as a business, but as a movement—so that no woman would ever feel as alone and powerless as I once did.

My pain became my power. My survival became my purpose. And today, I stand in rooms I once dreamed of, helping other women do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://divinesnyc.com/tropical-retreat
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/divinesnyc?igsh=MXJyaWY0Nm12ZTY3Yw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johary-peralta-140530346?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Image Credits

MT Media Production