Meet Angie Harvey

Angie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In May 2002, I submitted a proposal to DC Black Pride to facilitate a workshop which I titled “What’s Love Got To Do With It?”. It was the first time I ever considered creating and facilitating a workshop, speaking in public, being paid to speak in public, and the first time I knew for sure and for certain what I was supposed to do with my life; help GROWN folks GROW up! The workshop had the most participants of any workshop that weekend. There were folks standing in the back of the room and outside the door to hear what was GROWING on. It was one of the most amazing days of my life, a day I will ever forget. That is the beginning of my story.

Soon after, I came up with the name Let’s T.A.L.K. – Let’s Together Acquire Lasting Knowledge. I still get giddy when I say it out loud or see it written somewhere. Here I was this insecure, overweight woman with no public speaking experience, a speech impediment (I stutter), and no networking contacts creating a name on faith. Although I didn’t know it at the time I had been assigned to this position by God who didn’t care what I thought I couldn’t do but knew exactly what I could do; make a difference. Before I knew it I was working with other Black Pride organizations, Human Rights Campaign (H.R.C.), facilitating “Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are”; a workshop dedicated to coming out of the closet, increasing self-esteem and confidence, and speaking your truth at over 17 Black Pride events across the country. Let’s T.A.L.K. has grown into Let’s T.A.L.K. University, which birthed GROWING Folks Appeal, and ultimately opened the umbrella of Angie Harvey Speaks. I’ve worked with over 65 L.G.B.T.Q. Organization and been a consistent, vocal advocate for Equality, Equity and Inclusion.

Initially, my services included facilitating workshops and starting necessary, challenging conversations. Yes, that was my job. I have continued to GROW where ever GROWN folks need to GROW up and have been blessed to deliver keynote addresses at conferences, sermons from pulpits, officiate vows at weddings, conduct training in boardrooms, facilitate lessons in classrooms, promote professional development in companies, engage staff developments in organizations, encourage team building in small businesses, drop knowledge on college campuses, and host crafts and conversations with young adults. In other words, I’ve been having the time of my life. I jokingly say that if my clients knew how much fun I have creating and dropping knowledge, they would refuse to pay me. L.O.L.

Along my journey as a public speaker, I have encountered hundreds of GROWN folks who struggle in many areas of their personal and professional lives but didn’t have access to counseling from sources they trusted or felt was understanding of their concerns. I felt compelled to respond to the needs of my community and created a Guided Journey Program, a video conference call that supports individuals, couples and families GROWING beyond their challenges. I find great pleasure exposing folks to therapy, mental health wellness, and GROWING up with folks around the world.

Before moving to Dallas, I spoke here multiple times a year. Since relocating, I’ve secured contracts with Dallas Community College District, Richardson Arts Alliance, Dallas Elite Mustang Women’s Football Team, and South Side on Lamar Properties. As I am responding to these questions, I am creating a virtual curriculum for Let’s T.A.L.K. University and creating a virtual platform for all of my services to accommodate our current social distancing, quarantine, and shelter in place modalities.

 I’ll admit a personal struggle for me is knowing that folks will pay top dollar and spend valuable time to get out of their head (entertainment, vacations, drugs, alcohol, T.V.) but aren’t willing to spend the same processing what is GROWING on in their head.

Over 20 years later, I am clear that every bump, detour, pothole, and lane closure has been necessary and is in place to provide valuable personal and professional lessons to keep me on my toes and to keep me GROWING. Besides, a smooth road is for suckas!! L.O.L.