Mother and daughter duo, Angela Kelly and Jhala Angelique, are changing lives as the President and Vice President of the California Youth at Risk Intervention Program, along with their “I Am Anti-Bullying” campaign. The program’s mission is to make a positive impact with disadvantaged youth by focusing on their welfare, mental health, and overall well-being through counseling, mentorship, job training, resources for nutrition and clothing, and meaningful community outings.
As a victim of bullying, Jhala Angelique decided to reclaim her confidence by starting these initiatives to urgently address disparities with underserved youth. The 17-year-old VP, author, singer, songwriter, and recording artist, has been recognized as the Shirley Chisholm Youth of The Year representing The National Congress of Black Women, and won the 2018 Star Quest Taste of Soul Singing Competition. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Sentinel, Angelique and her mother discussed their journey working together in business, the program’s future goals, and their new creative venture in music.
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Jhala Angelique has written three books intended to inspire, motivate, and encourage young people to stand in their power; I Am Beautiful, I Am Who I Say That I Am, and I Am Resilient, are books that explore how she overcame bullying, self-love, affirmations, and positive declarations for positive self-talk. Her music also tells her story and sheds light on her personal battles as an adolescent in hopes of reaching others through her testimony.
“The youth are being plagued with bullying as well as not knowing who they are or loving themselves. Some find themselves not having hope. I want to let them know that you are in control of you and the profession over your life. Just because bullies say who you are, that’s not true. You live by your declaration of self rather than others. When I was being bullied, I held onto my mother’s word of affirmation that I am who I say that I am, I am beautiful, I am unique, I am confident. Working with her has been a blessing, she is the perfect example of a parent.”
Kelly added, “God ordained us as parents. All our kids have gifts, they have talents, and it’s our job to nurture those gifts and talents. I decided that my children will operate in those gifts to their fullest potential, and that is one of the main things in our household. Let’s work on everything, you have so much more to give.”
The program hosts workshops, community outings, and tour different schools throughout Southern California to remind the youth of their purpose and the impact they have on one another. They hope to expand further to more communities, more schools, and more states in the U.S. to provide support for employment, food, and mental health resources. Their workshops, youth rallies, and school assemblies have proven to make a difference as they work together with community leaders, teachers, and parents. Angelique performs her music to keep students inspired. Both Kelly and Angelique believe it takes a village to keep youth hopeful and engaged.
“It takes a village. It takes a parent, a teacher, a nieghbor to help and say something. That is the village, we have to take care of our youth and invest in our youth. A lot of times if we can get youth to beget youth, it would make all the difference. To see themselves in others is important. Creating a support system is one of our biggest missions. I want me and my team be that support system and build that up because some youth don’t have that. When we visit schools we sometimes see children who have no hope and it’s heartbreaking.”
When asked about advice she would give or what she would tell her younger self, Angelique shared, “open up to your family. When I was going through things it was hard, I didn’t want to talk, but looking back I held onto too much and bottled it up and it turned into something that wasn’t healthy. Now I would say, if not your family, talk to somebody that you trust. Having that support now after opening up, it was amazing. I felt free.”
Her mother also shared, “when she was being bullied, we noticed her mood changed, something was different in her behavior, we immediately stepped in. I want parents to please pay attention to their children. There is a lot going on but check on your child. Don’t allow life’s routine keep you from paying attention and asking questions. It’s not always growing pains, they need help. I matter, you matter, we all matter.”
To donate to the cause please email [email protected]. Angelique’s music is also available on all streaming platforms.
