Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique “Bella” Fontella Pollock.
Hi Monique “Bella” Fontella, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Monique Fontella Pollock, but I am creatively known as BellaFontella. I am a native of Wilmington, NC, and I grew up involving myself in all things artistic. I decided early on to study music and pursue it as a profession due to my love for the flute, performance and educating others. I attended Norfolk State University and was a member of the Marching Spartan Legion Band, which instilled a discipline that extends to everything I do.
Upon graduating, I went on to become a band director in the Norfolk Public School system, as well as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system. However, I wanted to expand my role and help young adults pursue careers in the arts, As a result, in 2008 I founded my own hip hop and classical music nonprofit called, “The Real Orchestra.” This group played popular music which led to the emergence of BellaFontella, the lyricist, as I rapped and played my flute with the orchestra.
As a lifelong learner, I went on to earn my Master’s degree from UNC-Charlotte in 2008, where I also served as Director of Arts Education.
As an adventurous soul, my career path progressed to include a few interesting careers including the aviation industry, where I served as a flight attendant and instructor. This allowed me to travel to different parts of the world and be influenced creatively by various cultures.
Throughout my journey, I never forgot my musical roots and set goals for myself including writing, producing and releasing music for the world to hear. My releases include eclectic mixes of genres from hiphop soul to R&B, as well as meditation and a children’s album.
As I have always wanted to push myself as creatively as possible, I decided to return to acting and take on the role of plus-size fashion model “Kiera Watts” in the television pilot “Big Girl Love.” This venture allows me to pull all of my life experience into one project and culminates all of my talents while bringing the character of “Kiera” to life.
Amongst all of these creative ventures, I still maintain a career as an instructional designer, in which my favorite aspects include writing scripts, directing and editing videos for educational purposes. This passion is so strong and led me to pursue my doctoral degree in this field.
Each day, month and year, I get closer to my ultimate purpose as I work in all of my callings. From season to season within my life, my most important charge is to ensure I leave positivity and enlightenment with every person or experience I encounter. That is my goal.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My professional career has not been a smooth road due to challenges from the intersection of being a Black Female in racially non-diverse work environments. Relatability, being seen as competent by work peers, and having autonomy, or the desire to initiate projects, are important aspects of reaching success in the workplace. Not having these on certain jobs, has definitely affected my self-determination and motivation to reach lofty goals I set for myself earlier in my career.
However, these unfortunate bumps in the road created character and the desire to educate others on thriving in work environments that make them uncomfortable. The goal is to ensure individuals, specifically Black women, stay the course, choose their paths wisely, and keep their professional desires focused without their goals being a reaction to mistreatment in the workplace. These reactions include quitting, not applying for promotions, or attempting to start businesses as an escape, when it is something they ultimately did not want to do. These are topics I speak about in my book, “Six Steps to Seeing It Through: Little Black Book,” a guide to surviving workplace trauma.
Although I have had many rough days, I am proud to have gotten my confidence back as a fearless Black woman, no matter what the room I walk into looks or feels like. I am thankful for the challenges, as they make me who I am today. Strong, resilient, and an agent for change.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What sets me apart from others is my willingness to try. I learned many years ago to try things. If it does not work out, try something else! I am not afraid of failing, being vulnerable or transparent about my process. This led me to indulge in different careers without worrying about what others would say or even explaining my journey to those who may be interviewing me for a job. These diverse experiences make me unique, relatable, and an asset to any environment I am in.
As I take on the role of “Kiera” in the television show “Big Girl Love,” I am ready to pull from the range of life experiences that I have had to make her an absolutely relatable character that people can grow with. From Kiera’s mysterious past, her grapples with love and relationships, to her professional desires, I know someone will either encourage themselves or think twice about their decisions due to what they witness through her on screen.
This responsibility is extremely important to me as a curvy woman. To be seen in all lights without judgment. From being quirky and funny, dark and troubled, and sexy and seductive, Kiera is human beyond her skin and looks.
I am proud of many things I have accomplished, but when I watch the show, I see the risks I took that acting has initiated. When I began studying acting again, after my professional obstacles, I realize that I was actually acting in the workplace and I was being myself while acting. I thought that this juxtaposition was extremely poignant. So to think about what I am most proud of, I think it is my realization of my truest self through what the art form has brought me.
Any big plans?
I am enjoying my career in instructional design and technology and I enjoy acting. These two fields bring everything that I love about myself together. I plan to commit myself to these creative outlets and I pray that they will align for my purpose to be fulfilled.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bellafontella.com
- Instagram: bellafontella
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-pollock-4b73a412/
