Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Bailey.
Angela Bailey, a graduate of the prestigious Florida A& M University, former professional runway model-turned full-time business mogul; agency owner, founder, certified yoga instructor, life coach, and president of Urban Reflections Inc. Angela’s story reads like the blueprint drawn for most youth born in any urban community in the United States. She was born to a poor single mother, reared in a housing project, and she recalls a time when money was more than tight. It was non-existent.
Furthermore, she was inundated with dismal images of what appeared to be a future full of the same for her. However, in time, Angela’s story takes a turn that mirrors the famed poet and author Maya Angelou’s. Angelou credits a teacher for opening her mind to thinking “outside the box” and not allowing her impoverished surroundings to influence the path her life would take. Likewise, Angela Bailey received the same inspirational advice as a child, and like Angelou, she hasn’t looked back since.
Angela & her sister LaWanda co-founded the organization, and they’ve dedicated more than two decades to empowering, inspiring and educating youth across the southeast. Urban Reflections, Inc. (non-profit mentoring organization) was created to serve as a resource for youth living in underserved communities throughout Florida, building self-esteem/confidence, teaching critical life skills, social & health awareness, academic mentoring & much more.
She says, “I refused to succumb to societal ills… I believe in learning all you can and doing the impossible. I was shown a way out, and with God’s help, I did it. Now I MUST show those after me, the road I have taken and inspire them to do the same.” “Our mission is to break the generational curses that plague our communities, by building strong girls and boys from the INSIDE, OUT!
A champion for women/girls, as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and founder of a non-profit Angela, has been featured on Fox13 News, ABC Action News, Channel 10, Bay News 9 and awarded Legacy Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 Entrepreneurs in Miami.
Has it been a smooth road?
I was once told that “smooth seas do not make skillful sailors” (African proverb) and with that, I have always dealt with challenges head-on. Working within my community has been rewarding but it brings its own set of problems/issues… we’re living during a time where the message we’re communicating is not a unified one, like before. Our churches are preaching one thing, the community another, and within the homes and the schools, it’s a completely different one. Our youth are overwhelmed, and some are confused… they don’t know who to trust, so earning their trust and trying to educate and inspire them can be a task to say the least.
The social injustices, lack of resources in some areas, and funding limitations also make it difficult but we try to take every obstacle we face and make the best of it. We spent the first 15 years funding the program ourselves, using our own personal income, without grants or outside help from any state agencies. We believe in our youth and we are self-motivated, equipped and experienced to overcome any and all obstacles along the way. We’ve gotten through what I consider to be the worst part of our journey and I am confident things will only get better from here.
Please tell us about Urban Reflections.
The grass-roots organization was established in Central Florida, the year 2000. Since then, we’ve expanded our efforts to include North and South Florida and the caribbean islands (Antigua, Haiti and the Bahamas). Urban Reflections, Inc., is a full-service mentoring organization that was originally designed exclusively for girls (ages 7-17) living in underserved communities.
One of our most popular programs is the Fashioning Self Esteem Academy (#FSEA). It’s a 5-week program designed for mentees who want to boost their self-esteem and build confidence. Fashion-focused activities (runway modeling & posing) are used as a vehicle to capture the attention of the participants/students. The students are provided with resources to help them understand, implement, maintain and practice self-care. The program also covers goal planning, hygiene, health/wellness components and so much more.
What makes us unique is that our curriculum is relevant; our instructors, facilitators and staff are equipped and experienced. We are providing our mentees/students with relevant tools they can use; we are in the schools, community centers & local churches, interacting with youth on a weekly basis. We can relate to their issues. We don’t judge, be we offer consistent, firm, realistic advice and alternatives to them. Mentoring young people can be draining and exhausting at times but the good outweighs the bad. The reality of it is, you won’t “save” every child you meet but saving ONE is something to be celebrated. I am most proud of our journey. After 20 plus years, we are STILL STANDING! Our mentees are college graduates, business owners, parents, community leaders, etc., and that makes me proud.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I moved to Miami to grow both of my small businesses. Miami. Has allowed us to grow and diversify our target population, I am grateful for my experiences here and I know that both of our organizations are better for it. There are plenty of opportunities for here in Miami for business owners.
I would advise anyone wanting to move their business here to assess the market first. It’s what I did. I did a lot of research about this market before moving here… in an effort to learn more about the demographic of people I planned to provide services to. I also researched local non-profit orgs that provide similar services; some would call them ‘competition,’ but I saw them as potential partners and that is what they have become.
I’ve partnered with large organizations like Honey Shine Inc., Overtown Youth Center, and Educate Tomorrow to promote my business, gain relevant experience and exposure. I marketed Urban Reflections Inc. to these big agencies and they were all interested in and drawn to our unique curriculum/programs and we’ve been able to maintain over 3-5 yrs of successful community partnerships.
Contact Info:
- Address: 780 NE 69th Street Unit 1707
- Website: www.urinc.org
- Phone: 888.537.5551
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @urincfla
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanReflectionsInc
Image Credit:
Images by Sylvester “AJ” Shorter
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