In celebration of Black History Month, AT&T kicked off its “Dream in Black” campaign in Detroit on Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. The campaign honors leaders and trailblazers who are making Black history by shaping culture today.
As a reality TV star, fitness model, fashion designer, mother, entrepreneur and the daughter of Rev. Run of the legendary rap group Run-D.M.C., Angela Simmons was named a Dream in Black 2020 Future Maker by AT&T, along with rappers Clifford “T.I.” Harris and Wale.
Rolling out caught up with Simmons before the VIP event to talk about everything from family and inspiration to what it means to be a 2020 Future Maker.
As we celebrate Black History Month with “Dream in Black,” what does it mean to be a 2020 Future Maker?
It means a lot! Our people are doing amazing things right now. I am a single Black mother that is raising an African American young boy, so it means everything to me.
You come from an iconic and legendary family. How has that influenced you when it comes to dreaming big?
It’s definitely always been an influence. I’ve been around so many different entrepreneurs since I was young. And then to watch my dad, who basically started rap, all of that influenced me as a young girl.
Your platform is great in that you are always encouraging and inspiring women. Tell us more about that.
My main focus has always been about uplifting women, making women feel comfortable in their own bodies and owning who they are, regardless of the opinions of others. I like creating a sisterhood and giving them [the] tools I have and using my platform for that.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self that you are going to go through lots of changes and to not be so hard on myself’. I feel like as a young girl I was really hard on myself. [I would also tell myself] that one needs balance.
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