Ciara M. Williams is the founder of VVS1 Foundation LLC, a survivor-led organization dedicated to empowering domestic violence survivors and returning citizens through advocacy, housing navigation, reentry support, and community education.
Her journey is one of resilience and reclamation. After enduring years of abuse, Ciara fought for her life during a violent attack in 2019. Instead of being seen as a survivor, she was villainized under New Jersey’s restrictive self-defense laws and spent nearly three years incarcerated.
In her own words, Ciara embodies the cycle of being the Villain. Victim. Survivor. the very meaning of VVS1. What began as society’s labels became her declaration of strength: an acknowledgment that survivors cannot be defined by their lowest moments.
The name also reflects the diamond clarity grade VVS1, symbolizing that even under extreme pressure, survivors are unbreakable and capable of shining at the highest brilliance.
Ciara’s story has been shared nationally through a feature on TV One’s For My Man, where she shed light on the realities of abuse, survival, and the broken systems that often punish those who fight to protect themselves. By stepping into the spotlight, she turned stigma into advocacy and used her platform to spark conversations about justice and resilience.
Since her release in 2022, Ciara has transformed her pain into purpose. She has led domestic violence support groups, helped survivors secure safe housing under VAWA protections, and worked with advocacy programs across New Jersey. She is also pursuing certification as a Domestic Violence Specialist, merging lived experience with professional expertise.
Today, through VVS1 Foundation, Ciara challenges stigma, amplifies survivor voices, and builds solutions that empower others to rebuild their lives not just to survive, but to shine.