Angel Daniels
Executive Director, Angell Foundation
Describe your leadership as a Black woman in philanthropy in one sentence.
My leadership is a combination of anticipation and agility because as a Black Woman I have learned to expect seemingly insurmountable obstacles along my journey that will need creative, nimble solutions to overcome them.
What does the project Voice. Vision. Value. mean to you?
This project, highlighting the profile and voices of Black women philanthropic leaders is important because our contributions in all sectors, though significant, are often overlooked and untold. It is beyond time that we elevate the narrative that Black women are accomplished, principled, capable leaders in not just philanthropy, but every sector.
How has the presence and power of Black women changed the philanthropic sector?
Black women have an innate orientation towards service coupled with an uncanny ability to wrestle with the paradoxes inherent in the sector. They understand that philanthropic positions are scarce, but leverage their influence to pursue equity and create on-ramps that lead to increased opportunity for future generations, though this may hinder their very own chances for advancement. Black women have held space for uncomfortable or inconvenient conversations, disrupted the status quo, selflessly dedicated themselves to their work and held themselves and their foundations accountable for a host of results — all while being compassionate, empathetic and absolutely fabulous.
How would you describe this moment in history?
I’d describe this moment in history as the prologue to the new American story. All of the events of 2020 - COVID-19, the civil protests, the upcoming Presidential election and our collective actions in the immediate months ahead will likely change the future narrative of our Country. I’m not so sure if there has ever been another time in our Nation where it was imperative that every single person come off the bench and do their part to ensure that our next chapter, particularly for the BIPOC community, is just and prosperous. There is much to do and I’m thrilled to see so many wonderful Black women at the forefront of the movement.
What are the ways Black women in philanthropy can support Black women in the movement?
The best way Black women philanthropic leaders can be of support to women in the movement is to listen to what they need, broker relationships and resources and stand shoulder to shoulder, back to back, in the pursuit for justice. We truly are our Sister’s Keeper.
Bio
Angel Roberson Daniels, Executive Director, oversees the Angell Foundation’s strategic direction and daily operations. In her role, she manages and works closely with the Angell team to administer its annual grantmaking portfolio, stewards collaboration with partners and guides the overall planning, communication and assessment efforts.
Throughout her career, she has worked with foundations and community-based organizations to design and evaluate initiatives that produce positive outcomes for underserved and under-resourced communities. Prior to joining the Angell Foundation, Angel spent six years at First 5 LA where she lead organizational strategic planning efforts and was instrumental in the allocation of over $800 million in investments designed to benefit young children and their families. As an evaluator with the UCLA Technical Assistance Group, she facilitated assessment and planning efforts for local public health agencies and worked on issues stemming from the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS to tobacco control.
Angel serves on the Board of the Liberty Hill Foundation, Boston Opportunity Agenda, African American Board Leadership Institute and LeadersUp. She chairs the Los Angeles County Arts Education Collective and is former co-chair of the Los Angeles Partnership for Early Childhood Investment. Angel has a profound commitment to supporting the personal and professional development of transformational leaders in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. She is the facilitator for the Southern California Grantmakers’ Emerging Leaders Program, presenter for Fundamentals of Grantmaking and African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI) and has served as a coach for the Alchemy leadership development program. Angel is a past Leadership Fellow and member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives.
Throughout her career, she has worked with foundations and community-based organizations to design and evaluate initiatives that produce positive outcomes for underserved and under-resourced communities. Prior to joining the Angell Foundation, Angel spent six years at First 5 LA where she lead organizational strategic planning efforts and was instrumental in the allocation of over $800 million in investments designed to benefit young children and their families. As an evaluator with the UCLA Technical Assistance Group, she facilitated assessment and planning efforts for local public health agencies and worked on issues stemming from the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS to tobacco control.
Angel serves on the Board of the Liberty Hill Foundation, Boston Opportunity Agenda, African American Board Leadership Institute and LeadersUp. She chairs the Los Angeles County Arts Education Collective and is former co-chair of the Los Angeles Partnership for Early Childhood Investment. Angel has a profound commitment to supporting the personal and professional development of transformational leaders in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. She is the facilitator for the Southern California Grantmakers’ Emerging Leaders Program, presenter for Fundamentals of Grantmaking and African American Board Leadership Institute (AABLI) and has served as a coach for the Alchemy leadership development program. Angel is a past Leadership Fellow and member of the Association of Black Foundation Executives.