For Women’s History Month I will be sharing the stories that define and provide examples of women empowerment, uplifting stories of personal triumph and businesses that are inspiring and are making a difference for women. Women’s History Month is a declared month each year that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
I want to introduce you to Angela Ray – Actress. Author. TV Host.
Recognized in the New York Times for her performance on the hit show, Atlanta on the FX Network, Angela Ray is an actress, author, spoken word artist and award-winning speaker. A few of her other television credits include a recurring role in Robbie on Comedy Central, The Resident, Queen Sugar, and Sleepy Hollow. She is best known as “Carol”, the shady landlord on Tyler Perry’s Love thy Neighbor. A few of her film credits include Keeping up with the Joneses with Zach Galifianakis, and Tyler Perry’s Boo! A Madea Halloween. Angela is the author of the books, Blackberry Whispers, Rays of Motivation, and Megastar Student Leadership: Lessons I Learned as an Actress That Can Help Lead, Achieve and Succeed. As a speaker, she has presented to thousands of students around the country and considers it part of her mission to empower young people. When she is not portraying a character, Angela enjoys being herself as a host and emcee. A charismatic presence with a golden voice, she has been the resident emcee for the touring show, The Food Lion Chef Challenge presented at both the CIAA and ACC basketball tournaments. She has also hosted for Food Lion for the past six years in multiple cities for the Southern Women’s Show. She is frequently booked to host charity events, awards programs, step shows and a myriad of live events. She is the host of her own program, The Angela Ray Show, currently broadcasting on YouTube and Facebook. A recipient of the George Moses Horton Award for poetry and an award-winning spoken word poet, Angela has electrified poetry cafes, charity galas, open mics, and conferences around the country. She has been commissioned to pen poetry for several high-profile individuals including Minnie Stackhouse, the mother of NBA All Star Jerry Stackhouse, and Mattye Reed, the namesake for the Mattye Reed African American Heritage Center at North Carolina A & T State University. Today in addition to traversing the globe as a highly requested keynote speaker and working in entertainment, Angela serves on the Board of Directors of the Banks Foundation. She is also a Life Member of the General Alumni Association of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Here is HERstory:
A storyteller at heart, I took what was the ONE thing I got reprimanded for in school, talking in class, and turned it into a career. Even though people may recognize me from my work in television or film, I got my start on the stage as a speaker, dating back to elementary school. By the time I reached ninth grade, I made history as the first Black student to represent the State of North Carolina in the National Civic Oration Contest. Learning how to speak and impact a crowd helped me transition into acting and prepared me for everything else I do today. And the rest, is indeed history.
Her business is Angela Ray International Arts and Educational Entertainment specializing in motivation, coaching, and training and now added Public Relations.
What does women empowerment mean to you?
Women’s empowerment is the idea that the power lies within us and when we as women lock arms and pull each other up, we activate was there all the while.
What advice or words of inspiration would you like to share with someone?
Ray of Motivation™ # 77 “One of the biggest discoveries you can ever make is finding that you have infinite choices.” I wrote that several years ago in my book, Rays of Motivation. But, I really began to apply this principle and explore it when the pandemic hit as everything I was used to doing- acting, speaking, hosting, emceeing etc. all shut down. It was all about the pivot.
Have you authored any books?
Blackberry Whispers and Megastar Student Leadership
What does self care mean to you?
Self-care is the radical notion that investing in my mind, body, and spirit yields the greatest returns for me, allowing me to be a blessing to others.
What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?
The thing that keeps me going is my faith in God, the support of my family and the belief that my talent was given to me to impact the world. And this reminder, Ray of Motivation™ #55, “Champions do not lack fear. They lack stagnation.” Even when I am afraid, this keeps me going.
What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?
I am developing more of my business offerings online. I am launching a speaker coaching program to help others make an impact with their voices. Public speaking is on the biggest ways to create change. Think about it- many of the politicians we both love and hate, have transformed their communities and sometimes the world by speaking
Is there anything else you would like to share with me?
I just want to remind all your readers that YOU, yes you, were born to shine.
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