An Inspired Chat with Angela Humphrey of Columbus

Angela Humphrey shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Angela, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel a deep calling to live fully and chase my dreams without apology, hesitation, or restraint.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Angela Joy Humphrey, and I was born on September 28, 1994, in a small town in Georgia. At just two months old, I was adopted by my parents — and that’s when life truly began. From as early as age three, I was already captivated by music and hair. As I grew, fashion quickly joined the mix, completing a trio of creative passions that would shape my life.

I taught myself how to do hair by practicing on dolls, eventually braiding my own and others’. By 14, I was making money doing hair, turning a childhood hobby into a business. Music, on the other hand, was different. I’d been singing since I was 3, playing with instruments at 5, writing songs by 8, and producing music at 14. Still, it wasn’t until I was 20 or 21 that I started making money from it — and even then, I didn’t fully believe in the calling. To me, it was just something I loved.

That all began to shift when I started college at Oakwood University in 2013. Immersed in a community rich in musical talent, my outlook changed. I entered with a Psychology major and a Music minor, but by the second semester, I flipped the script — majoring in Vocal Performance & Pedagogy. Later, I found my true academic fit in Composition & Recording Arts. While pursuing music, I kept doing hair on the side, gradually building a steady clientele.

By the time I graduated in 2018, I was booked almost every weekend — a blessing I’d prayed for. After a brief stint in the corporate world, juggling hair and church gigs, I had to make a decision: stay in corporate world or bet on myself. In 2019, I chose full-time entrepreneurship. It wasn’t always easy — there were moments of doubt, dry seasons, and financial struggles. But in those valleys, I found strength. I built my brand, grew my clientele, and leaned into my faith, especially during the pandemic while caring for my father.

Jeremiah 29:11 became my anchor: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future…”

Today, entrepreneurship fully sustains my lifestyle. I’m still doing hair, playing in church, working on music, and developing my clothing line. Though business has been prosperous, I unfortunately lost my father on August 4, 2023. Grieving while also trying to survive is not easy. Losing my father rocked my world in the worst way. Somehow, by God’s grace, I’m still here. Every day isn’t roses and sunshine but I’m grateful I’m not where I was 2 years ago. My journey has been far from perfect, but it’s real, and it’s mine — built on resilience, faith, and a whole lot of love.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My father. He made a lasting impact on my life that I’ll never forget and always cherish.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Everything is unfolding exactly as it should, love. The pain, the confusion, the mistakes, the victories, and the setbacks — they’re all part of the bigger picture. Trust God’s timing. Love yourself deeply. Live boldly. And never forget — your voice matters, more than you know.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes. To live authentically is essential, publicly & privately. Acceptance gained through illusion is not validation. It is the quiet abandonment of the self.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Through everything I’ve faced, I never gave up on myself. Even when it would’ve been easier to mirror how others treated me, I chose to rise above it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://beejoyshair.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joysthe.goat/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/starchildmusiq
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/zDkNc9JWiD0?si=K4kQe0RZSfl3Chuf
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/yapmaestro/matter-x-mae-tro?si=3e61eb8bb0f646448a7e16efa78ed22d&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Image Credits
Kimberly Krush Robinson