Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Kelly.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am proud to reside in the southern suburb of Atlanta, married to Mr.Hamilcar Kelly with two beautiful daughters Destini and Emeral. I was born into poverty as a 6-month old premature baby, living through a broken and unstable environment.
At an early age, I made a decision that I wanted to experience something better in my life. I knew deep in my heart God had to have a better plan for my life. In spite of the obstacles and struggles, I had faced, through faith and works of God I was able to be the 1st out of my immediate family to graduate from high school, earn a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Masters in Teacher Leadership.
After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, I worked for the Public Safety Department and the Department of Family and Children Service. A few years later, I received a call about an opening for a teacher’s position in my hometown for a public safety instructor. I was interviewed by a panel of 6 people and was hired. I was excited and terrified at the same time. For the first three years, I cried because I was placed in a position to face brokenness and hurt that was all around me. Unfortunately, at that time I was still broken. Since I was surrounded by brokenness, it forced me to face my pain while teaching my students. I questioned God, is this for me? If it is, please show me how to do it. I changed how I teach and manage the students. I had to build relationships with the students before I could teach them with a positive and loving approach to reach them. During this process, my pain turned into purpose in so many areas in my life including my career. After 11 years of teaching, my classes remain full; students have to be re-routed until the following year. My student organization SkillsUSA membership increases yearly. The positive influence is powerful and it has become contagious within my school and in the community.
After seven years of teaching, I was named the 2016-2017 “Teacher of the Year”. I was also recognized as a National Honor Society Scholar. I began to take on Leadership roles as the Positive Behavior Coach, SkillsUSA Advisor, Sunshine Committee Coordinator, Teacher Mentor, National Anthem Palmist, Empowerment speaker and more. Recently, I appeared on Atlanta Live 57 as a special guest. Humbly I say, my gifts have made room for me and bought me into the presence of men and women of great influence. I have visitors to visit my classroom on a regular base including Richard Woods – Ga Superintendent of schools. Mr. Woods visited me on August 27th, 2018. He expressed gratitude to me for singing the national anthem at the teacher’s conference and for what I do for the students and teachers in my community. In every aspect of my life, I intentionally strive to make a positive impact on people lives.
About four years ago, my colleagues discovered my inspirational approach. Because of my empowering and motivational approach I have become well known within the school system as Angel Kelly The Voice of Power. Over a decade, I have empowered and motivated hundreds of youth and colleagues through a positive message. My passion and inspirational approach have taken me beyond the classroom. I have been using my gifts through speaking and singing at schools, faith-based organizations, professional conferences, Universities across the state of Georgia. I strongly believe in building relationships with students, parents and the community. God has given me the natural ability to transform lives locally and nationally.
Within the last three years, I have helped change the culture of the school where I have been blessed to teach and reach hundreds to Level UP! With this empowering message, I am determined to encourage, empower and uplifts others! My motto is it’s not about me, it’s about others.
Great, 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 physical appearance does not reflect the struggle or journey of the obstacles I have encountered. I have experienced quite a few challenges and roadblocks. Because I was born as a premature baby, I struggled with processing information, reading, and speech impediment. I was told by many, I would never perform above average nor be able to speak in front of a large crowd. I worked extra hard to stay above grade level and to defeat my doubts. Being born into a broken home and unstable environment I experience low-self esteem, worthlessness and considered suicide at a young age. Through my faith, I was able to overcome my own insecurities. I strongly believe my past struggle has allowed me to reach youth at risk, parents, and teachers that I have encountered with love, consideration, and compassion. In addition to my personal self-doubt, I am the caregiver for my parents. My mother suffers with diabetes and my father suffers with congestive heart failure. In the mist of loving and caring for my parents, they encourage me to be a beacon of light not only with them but with others that I encounter. We are still grateful and thankful for the many blessing for family through the rough time and tough times.
Angel Kelly The Voice of Power – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Angel Kelly The Voice of Power, Called to Spread her Wings Advocating for Youth, Educators, Families, and Communities. In 2016 I became the founder of Angel Kelly The Voice of Power as an Independent Consultant, Youth Advocate, Empowerment Speaker, and Psalmist. Through my captivating voice and unique speaking style, I speak and sing to empower, motivate and educate through a positive mindset. My business provides best practices to train Educators and Youth Advocates on how to best effectively serve our youth. The Voice of power also provide services to inspires and ignites our youth on the value of healthy self-esteem, self-efficacy, Leadership, Academic Excellence, College, and Career Readiness, Character and Resilience.
What sets me apart; I am known for my captivating voice and unique speaking style in addition to my motivational message to Level up to Greatness! My level up message is building momentum within the last four months from one community to another and from state to state. With this message, I encourage scholars, colleagues, parents, youth advocates, and others to level up to greatness in all areas of their lives. Meaning to improve and soar higher for greatness that’s positively fulfilling. I also encourage them to promote positivity and focus on the good. This message has become contagious and the people are grabbing a hold of it to empower themselves and others. My Level up t-shirt and wristband are being worn daily throughout my community and across the state line from Georgia, Tennesee, Illinois, Texas, Virginia and Michigan. I believe everyone can level up to Greatness!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Each day I have an opportunity to impact lives young and old as an educator and motivator. Being an educator has allowed me to advocate for the youth and bring out the best in them. One of my proudest moment is when one of my students told me I made a difference in their life. These moments continue to happen yearly.
Contact Info:
- Website: kellyempowers.com
- Email: kellyempowers1@gmail.com
- Instagram: @angelkellytvop
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/pg/AKTVOP
- Twitter: Empower@angelkelly1922
- Other: Youtube: Angel Kelly Empowers
Image Credit:
Majestic Impressions Photography, Jaquarius Raglin, jraglin42@gmail.com, (head shot photo)
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