Women In Business Spotlight- Angela Canty Ingram

Angela Canty Ingram

Women Who Lead, Trailblazers & Visionaries Series

Bio:

Hello, I’m Angela Canty-Ingram. With 38 years of dedicated service as a Licensed Practical Nurse and an Associate Degree in Legal Assistance from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, I have built a professional journey grounded in compassion, integrity, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving others. Throughout my career, I have worn many hats—healthcare professional, advocate, mentor, talent manager, media personality, and community voice—but at the center of each role has always been a passion for helping people feel heard, valued, and empowered.

My Professional Journey

I began my nursing career shortly after earning my LPN license, entering a field that would shape not only my profession but also my purpose in life. Over nearly four decades, I worked in a variety of healthcare environments, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, and community clinics. These experiences allowed me to care for individuals from all walks of life and taught me the importance of empathy, patience, and human connection. Nursing gave me the opportunity to stand beside people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and I never took that responsibility lightly.

While continuing my work in healthcare, I also pursued my interest in the legal field and earned an Associate Degree in Legal Assistance. This educational path strengthened my attention to detail, communication skills, and understanding of advocacy and ethics. Combining healthcare experience with legal knowledge gave me a broader perspective on the challenges many individuals and families face, especially when navigating complex systems that affect their health, rights, and overall well-being.

After retiring from nursing, I transitioned into the entertainment and media industry as Talent Manager for Rizing Starz Presents. In this role, I discovered another avenue for uplifting people and creating opportunities for others to shine. I was responsible for recruiting, mentoring, coaching, and promoting performers, speakers, and emerging talent from diverse backgrounds. I worked to ensure that every individual felt supported and prepared to present their gifts with confidence and authenticity. My time in talent management reinforced my belief that everyone deserves a platform and that representation matters in every industry.

Today’s Endeavors

Today, I proudly host the “I’ve Got Something 2 Say Podcast”. The podcast is more than entertainment—it is a safe and empowering space where honest conversations take place. I discuss current events, community issues, personal growth, family dynamics, culture, and the everyday realities affecting people of color and underserved communities. I also engage with listeners by responding to their stories, questions, and life experiences with openness, compassion, and authenticity.

Our goal is to inspire meaningful dialogue while encouraging healing, understanding, and positive change. We believe that every voice matters, every story has value, and every conversation has the power to impact someone’s life.

My Passion and Purpose

My lifelong mission is to amplify diverse voices, encourage inclusive conversations, and help others recognize their worth and potential. Whether I am drawing from my nursing background, legal education, leadership experience, or podcast discussions, I remain dedicated to uplifting communities, mentoring future leaders, and creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and respected.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my journey. I look forward to continuing to grow, inspire, and make a meaningful difference—one conversation, one connection, and one community at a time.

Please introduce and tell the readers about yourself?

Hello, I’m Angela Canty-Ingram. With 38 years of dedicated service as a Licensed Practical Nurse and an Associate Degree in Legal Assistance from J. Sargent Reynolds Community College, I’ve built a career grounded in empathy, precision, and unwavering commitment to the communities I serve.

You are the Talent Manager for Rizing Starz Presents. Tell the readers about Rizing Starz Presents and the services offered to your clients.

Although I no longer serve as Talent Manager at Rizing Starz Presents, owned and operated by CEO Kim Baker, things have come full circle in a meaningful way—the company now manages me. Even so, I will always consider myself part of the Rizing Starz family, and whenever I am needed, I am happy to step back into that role.

In that position, I supported local vocalists and musicians in every way I could. My work included helping them become performance-ready, secure and maintain consistent bookings, and managing any issues that arose on the day of a performance.

What inspired you to transition from four decades in healthcare to talent management in entertainment and media after retirement? What skills or insights from your healthcare career have proven most valuable in this new chapter?

Two days before Christmas in 2023, I woke up and discovered that I could not see out of my right eye. After seeing my doctor, I was told that I could no longer work or drive, and my healthcare career ended abruptly after nearly four decades of service.

In fall 2025, my daughter encouraged me to channel my strong opinions and outspoken personality into something bigger. She suggested that I meet with Greg Hall at Big Tyme Entertainment Network and record a video so he could hear my voice and perspective.

She was tired of seeing me post my thoughts about everything on Facebook and believed I needed to take things to another level. That encouragement led to the creation of I’ve Got Something 2 Say Podcast.

My healthcare career continues to shape this new chapter by deepening my compassion and strengthening my commitment to the community. Now more than ever, I strive to uplift others and lead with love, because that kind of support is truly needed.

How has your approach to mentoring and coaching talent been shaped by your extensive healthcare background? Are there parallels between patient care and nurturing emerging performers and speakers?

My years in healthcare, including direct patient care and telework—have strongly shaped how I mentor and coach talent. That experience helps me communicate with performers and speakers in a way that builds trust, puts them at ease, and supports them throughout the process.

You've dedicated yourself to recruiting and promoting talent from diverse backgrounds. Why is this commitment particularly important to you, and how do you actively create opportunities in entertainment and media?

On this journey, I use my platform to open doors for people across our community.

• Talent can showcase their gifts and grow their visibility.

• Entrepreneurs can promote their businesses and events.

• Authors can share and market their books.

• Nonprofits can highlight their work and community impact.

At the heart of it all is a simple mission: to uplift, support, and enrich our community.

Many people slow down after retirement, but you've launched an entirely new career. What advice would you give to women considering a major career pivot later in life, especially into an industry where they have no prior experience?

My advice is simple: keep going and do not let fear or doubt stop you.

• Do not look in the rearview mirror.

• Do not let anyone discourage your dream.

• Trust your instincts.

• Believe in yourself first, because confidence shapes how others respond to you.

The rest can be learned along the way—these days, there is a video or an app for just about everything.

Healthcare and entertainment seem like vastly different worlds. What surprised you most about the entertainment and media industry when you made the transition, and what misconceptions did you have to unlearn?

Very little surprised me when I entered entertainment and media because I grew up around the industry. My mother owned a record shop, and my father worked closely with a promoter who also had his own band. Because of that background, I already understood both the rewards and the challenges of talent management.

What did frustrate me was seeing that some men still struggle to do business with women or to believe that a Black woman can succeed in this industry. That was not a misconception I had to unlearn—it was a reality I had to confront.

As someone who has built success in two very different industries, how do you define leadership differently now compared to your healthcare days? What has remained constant in your leadership philosophy?

I have learned that leadership is only as strong as the team behind it. When the team is not structured well, effective leadership becomes difficult—sometimes nearly impossible—especially when a “crabs in the barrel” mentality gets in the way of progress.

To me, leadership is about making the right decisions for the good of the whole team. That principle has remained constant in both healthcare and entertainment: true leadership should always support the success and well-being of everyone involved.

Looking back at your journey from healthcare professional to Talent manager of Rizing Starz Presents, what do you wish you had known earlier, and what legacy do you hope to leave for the performers and speakers you've mentored?

Looking back on my journey from healthcare professional to Talent Manager at Rizing Starz Presents, I wish I had learned earlier to be more confident in who I am and in the power of my voice. There were times when I should have spoken up, but I held back because I was unsure whether it was the right moment or did not want to create conflict.

The legacy I hope to leave is one of service and compassion. I want my work to speak for itself and for the care I have shown others to be clearly seen and remembered.

Ms. Ingram, you are the host of the “I’ve Got Something 2 Say Podcast”. Please tell us about your podcast and where we can tune in to listen.

• Analyzes today’s headlines and explore their impact on people of color.

• Respond to listener questions, requests, and personal stories.

• Navigate everyday challenges through honest, uplifting conversation.

The podcast also creates space for entrepreneurs to share their businesses, books, and events, helping connect their work with the broader community.

The podcast is transitioning away from Big Tyme Entertainment Network and becoming fully independent—something I will now lead and control myself. Beginning in June, it will air live from a new studio.

Listeners will also be able to tune in on YouTube.

Do you have any upcoming events, conferences, or workshops?

I do not have any formal events, conferences, or workshops scheduled at this time.

Right now, my focus is on two community-centered efforts: developing a town hall to address youth violence and helping provide food to those experiencing homelessness through RVA Fridge here in Richmond, Virginia.

What words of encouragement would you like to leave with our readers?

My message to readers is simple: never lose hope. No matter how difficult the situation may look, hold on to the belief in your spirit that it is already being worked out.

In your darkest moments, keep reminding yourself of that truth. Lift your head, compose yourself, and keep moving forward.

To learn more about Angela Canty Ingram follow on social media:

Facebook: @I've Got Something To Say Podcast

Instagram: @poecstasy1968