Life and Work with Angela Washington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Washington.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Angela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Anointed to speak as a missionary at the age of twelve was the root of my speaking career. Like many other black youths, the church was the place I learned to stand in front of an audience without fear. Being ordained as a missionary as a teen gave me a deeper look at life than the average teen. I didn’t just believe in what I read in the history, math and science books but I believed in what I could not see. Words and passion seemed so powerful to me as my mind would be swept away in the sounds of the voices of Ruby Dee, Ozzie Davis and Leslie Uggams on the Public Broadcasting Network. Literature and poetry not only help me escape my sad and lonely reality but it would open doors for me to touch people around the world later. My life, as painful as it has been over decades, is on display for everyone to read in the poetry I write. Incest, rape, loneliness, and my mother’s battle with suicide attempts and depression, is in black, white and rhyme. The same things that have motivated me to write has also give me the passion to be a speaker. I have a voice and I’ve to use it, therefore I speak at Domestic Violence shelters, Suicide and Depression tours and other events that need a dose of reality and a gallon of hope.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Some much about my journey to the place I’m at today has not been easy. but it’s all been necessary. First, I had to learn what my true passion was and how could I turn my passion in a business. My passion was born out of personal pain, you know the things that families either don’t understand or don’t want to talk about. Most people don’t sit around the dinner table and talk about when one cousin sexually assaulted another cousin. Rarely do friends play a hand of Spades and chat about when your mom tried to kill herself multiple times. These types pain issues are not subjects of normal, day to day conversation but they are the exact things I had to reconcile in my spirit as I proofread my first collection of poetry to be copyrighted. Second, I had been with other people in the fields where I wanted to be for networking purposes and to learn the dos and don’t to be successful. I attended conferences, workshops and vendor showcases. There is no real value you can put on knowledge and networking. I attended a Christian Writer’s and Vendor conference once and two instructors told me poetry is hard to sell. My reply to them was “You have not read my poetry.” When they read it they had to admit the poetry was powerful and unique, which leads me to the third point-you must believe in you and what you’re doing. There will always be times you want to give up because you’re tired, lack of money, lack of guidance or other things but if your belief system is strong you may slow down but you will not quit.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Angel of Words – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company, Angel of Words, really defines the spirit that lives within me as a speaker and poet. Words help me connect my pain to someone else’s pain that attends a conference tailored to a specific audience. As a teenage victim of domestic violence, I know the silent signs before the first lick is passed. As a daughter that lived in a household filled with fighting, before knowing the fear of hearing arguments and seeing my mom arrested for murdering her boyfriend. Suicide and depression have been front and center in my family for decades because my mom shot herself in front of me when I was fourteen and attempted two more times to kill herself. Because of all these things I have seen and lived through, I reach out to organizations that help people understand that it’s not their fault and with time and the right tools life will be better. Being a guest on Atlanta Live opened doors to speaking opportunities, as well. Many people know me as the sole poet for The Christian View Magazine. Reaching an international audience is so awesome and paramount in my field. The magazine is an extension of The Christian View Show recorded live at WATC TV 57. Each published poem for the magazine is tailored to the theme of each issue. People look forward to my warm and artistic contribution each quarter the magazine is published online. Devina Collier has published two of my poems in her health and spiritual wellness book titled, ” Rise & Shine. When people buy my poetry and tell me what the words mean to them it just warms my heart. Word from my heart that can help heal their hearts is more satisfying than the fee. My documentary that aired nationwide on The Word Network for the new show “The Journey” is the one project I am most proud of to date. Not only did I get to share my pain so others could heal, I learned a few things about myself during the taping. So many people reached out to me via my website, social media, and phone to express their sorrow and ask for guidance. I am still overcome by the connection people had with different parts of my journey. What makes me unique is the spirit within me as I share my life as a speaker and poet. People tell me all the time that I truly don’t look like what I’ve been through. I can only say I never knew what it was to get knocked down and stay down. Life was challenging at times but I keep on smiling, pouring into other people with warm words of wisdom and letting anyone that would listen know I had a dream that could not stay a dream.

Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
Today, women are empowered by politics and bigger opportunities but I think the biggest barrier for women in the industry is not looking outside the box. When they try to get speaking opportunities by connecting with other people, they don’t do enough research to find their audience. If an agent doesn’t see you being a valuable talent for their organization, you have to create your own opportunities. This is why it is so important to invest in yourself by attending seminars like Speak and Write with Lisa Nichols or other proven professionals that know the business of speaking and marketing. I paid for the right to learn to be my best. I am worth every dollar to make my dream a reality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angelofwords.com
• Email: arniaa1963@gmail.com
• Instagram: angelawashington9555
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/AngelaWashingtonAngelofWords
• Twitter: @AngelaW30568276

Image Credit:
Alejandra Arriaga

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