At first glance, Angela Benton looks like any ambitious professional woman. She has a college degree, owns her own home and is an entrepreneur. Angela gives a calm, laid-back first impression. It wasn’t until I sat down with the publisher of BlackWeb2.0 that I realized that not only is she smart, but has her own story to tell.
Angela shared that story with us. How as a teen mother, technology was the way she was able to finish college, and become a young entrepreneur.
We met at Starbuck’s, and what was supposed to be a relatively quick networking meeting quickly turned into a fun and energizing interview and girl talk that lasted 3 hours. You know the type of vibe we women can get into when you share similar life events. The type that you walk away from not caring about what didn’t get done in that block of time because that time was far more valuable than what was going on in the office.
Here’s that conversation.
TBBO: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me.
Angela Benton: No problem.
TBBO: Would you share with us your journey that lead you to BlackWeb2.o?
AB: When I really think back I think my invovelment in technology began in Junior High School, I took a computer animation class. I can’t remember the language I was learning but I do remember it was in DOS. I really enjoyed it. We also had a PC at home at some point. That was cool, it was back in the dial up days and when AOL was the ultimate gatekeeper. I can remember looking for all types of information, it was very addictive. At one point I really became consumed with finding the latest on Biggie and Tupac, and when they passed autopsy reports and pics were floating around the net and it became more interesting…tabloid like really.
TBBO: You weren’t designing yet?
AB: No, later I was influenced by my stepmother a bit, she is a graphic designer who, at the time made greeting cards. She paid me and my little sister $20 to help her decorate them. So from a design perspective I was around graphic design really before I even knew I wanted to explore it as a career opportunity.
TBBO: So then you went to college.
AB: Well, I had my daughter first.
TBBO: In High School? How old were you?
AB: 16. A lot of people don’t know that about me.
TBBO: I didn’t. Thanks for sharing that.
AB: No problem. This past summer I was invited to speak on Capitol Hill in D.C. …
TBBO: Wait…you spoke in D.C.?
Angela Benton
TBBO: Do tell…
AB: I graduated HS in 3 years and finished up one class, 11th grade English at night so that I could do so. Today night school is still an option but girls in that situation now have the opportunity to finish classes online. After HS and a stint at a local college I moved to DC, took on some jobs, but I knew I needed my degree to provide for my child. It just wasn’t an option to not have a college degree for me. I researched online schools. Back then you had to be careful because there were lots of scams out there and online classses weren’t really respected. I made sure to only consider schools that were accredited. I ended up graduating from American InterContential University. I earned a Bacholers degree in fine arts in visual communications. I later attended Savannah College of Art and Design and completed some classes online in their Master of Fine Arts program in Graphic Design before I decided I didn’t really need a terminal degree in design because I did not want to teach it at a collegiate level. You only really need that degree for that. It was still an awesome experience being around so many talented designers from so many other cultures. I feel fortunate to have been accepted into that program.
TBBO: What jobs did you do once you moved to DC?
AB: I worked as a receptionist for a law firm, Circuit City, the Bureau of National Affairs, Homes of Color Magazine, and Lending Tree. While working at Lending Tree, I was offered another job with a local start up.
TBBO: Rushmore Drive?
AB: Yes. I was doing research for that position and realized nobody was reporting on the growth of Black websites, blogs and technology.
TBBO: The birth of Blackweb2.0!
AB: Yes. I couldn’t believe the url was available!
TBBO: I enjoy the site because your team does a great job informing your readers of all things tech as well as what is going on with digital Black media.
AB: Thanks, We are working on other ventures I hope you enjoy just as much (her phone rings)
TBBO: I wondered if you used the iPhone.
AB: I had the first generation. I’m an Apple fangirl.
TBBO: What are your thoughts on the iPad?
AB: I was pleasantly surprised at the price. I want one. I don’t need one. It’s only 1 1/2 1bs. I could use it to travel, and it wouldn’t weigh down my luggage. Not sure how I’d get used to the keyboard. I would though. It has iWorks. The main thing for me is AT&T. I need them to offer a bundle package, because I have them for my home and my phone. If I got the iPad I’d have to pay another limitless plan. That’s not ok.
TBBO: Okay, let’s talk movies and TV. Did you see Avatar?
AB: Yes. Only in 3D, not 3D IMAX. I took my daughter and her friend. It was fun and pretty. I enjoyed the colors, the plants, the animals. It was so vivid, like a really nice dream.
TBBO: What are you watching on T.V.?
AB: I love Modern Family, that show cracks me up! Have you watched it? You gotta watch it. I also like Cougar Town. I relate to that show.
TBBO: Cougar Town??
AB: Yes! I’m divorced and dating. I know I’m young, but I can relate to those ladies!
TBBO: Favorite Movie?
AB: Vanilla Sky.
TBBO: What are your favorite apps right now?
AB: Bejewled, ZipCar, and FourSquare.
TBBO: What sites do you frequent?
TBBO: Angela, I know you have a favorite gossip site! Which one??
AB: (Laughing) I go to Bossip, among others.
TBBO: We could talk all day.
AB: I know!
TBBO: Thanks for meeting with me this morning.
AB: No problem, we’ll keep in touch.
TBBO: No doubt!
She is so inspiring. I’m So happy you guy’s posted this!
Thanks, Maiko! Be sure to visit her site, blackweb20.com!
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