Creating History: Angela Sales
Born in Birmingham, AL
Born in 1951, in the segregated southern town of Birmingham, Alabama, fun for me was all imaginary and wishful thinking. Being hated in America because of your dark colored skin made life hard for all Black Americans, near and far. At the same time, being a Black child with very dark skin was not considered a valued asset in society. Being ostracized by white people for being born Black and treated differently by Blacks for being born with very dark skin was almost impossible for me to understand and navigate. Unfortunately, we were mislabeled as mean, unattractive, evil, slow learners, ugly, and inhibited. No one tried to understand. My arsenal was learning fast, loving mathematics, which most kids avoided, and smiling, which my mom said would make me approachable.
Prayers Answered
I became a believer in God very early in my childhood. My parents were strong believers in God and saw the church as their salvation in everything life would bring. When I was about 5 years old, I prayed for a doll and told no one. I asked God for a little rubber doll with big cheeks and limbs that moved. A few days later, my mom came home from shopping with a little doll that fit the description of the one I prayed for. I believed in God from that day forward.
I prayed to God to let me be “the first Black woman” to do something grand. During my childhood, there was always a “first Black” category for Black folks who rose from the masses to do incredible things. Once I realized that God had given me the gift of creativity, I wanted to invent something to prove my worthiness to those who treated me differently. It all began for me once I signed up for science projects in elementary school and when I learned to sew in the seventh and eighth grades. I was beginning to get positive comments, not about my complexion, but about my talent and creativity. I knew I was on the right track.
Civil Rights Movement Opened Doors
The civil rights movement opened up many doors for Black Americans, and it slowly but surely changed the perspective of Blacks who thought there was a difference between light and dark-skinned complexions among the Black race. Martin Luther King became my savior on earth, who made life so much better for me. I will honor him as my hero till my life ends.
I went to an HBCU, Talladega College in Alabama, and graduated with a degree in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science. I pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha to be part of a sisterhood. After graduation in 1973, I was invited to spend the summer in New York with one of my sorority sisters and her family. I found a great job and began to build my life. Being the “first Black” was much less important to me by then. Getting recognition for uniqueness and talent is what creative people in New York yearn for most.
Inventing "The First Black Woman to..."
In the mid-80s, I was making three-dimensional mirrors for living spaces. I got the attention of the owner of a highly regarded furniture store on the east side of Manhattan. My first mirror was in the window of the store for months. I was called a Renaissance woman at my first one-woman show, where I displayed five of my three-dimensional mirrors. I was celebrating my 40th birthday. I was also celebrating the fact that I had been offered a high-ranking position at the City University of New York with the vice chancellor for government relations, a position held by an African American since its development.
At the age of 47, I became focused on my body’s health and fitness. I became interested in bodybuilding to tone and build muscle in preparation for my 50th birthday. Along the way, I began competing in a sport where the panel of judges is made up of a majority of males and where female contestants have a better chance of winning if they have muscles and an exotic look. In my first contest, I won first place as a novice competitor, and I continued to win first and second place trophies in the lightweight and masters divisions. I competed from the late '90s to 2005. Within that time, I created and patented an abdominal cardio machine which, if used with regularity, would assist in developing a smaller, less boxy waist. Home Shopping Network sold over 50,000 units.
In early 2007, Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president. I was so moved by his speeches and positive interviews. I was as proud of him as I was of Martin Luther King. It felt to me like he rose from Martin Luther King’s dream to lead the world and African Americans out of stagnation. That year, I created the Black History Flag, emphasizing the shoulders both leaders stood on to become the guiding light of America during their time. Honoring Black leaders and politicians from Sojourner Truth to Harriet Tubman, from Malcolm X to Shirley Chisholm and Rosa Parks, from Martin Luther King to Barack Obama. Their persistence contributed to the birth of Barack Obama’s presidency, so much so that I was led to design the first Black History Flag. The design was placed on posters and other merchandise. It was shared with teachers in New York and New Jersey and distributed across the country.
Still Moving and Shaking
Years later, I wrote a children’s book called Smooches Finds A Home based on the life I had with a cat who showed up at my doorstep. He was my joy. He was my friend.
I retired in 2011, having spent years in the City University of New York system. My last post was with the largest community college in New York City, Borough of Manhattan Community College. I moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to be close to my family.
Now at the age of 75, I continue to think creatively. Today’s challenge is to maintain a healthy mind and body. I am currently working on a palatable drink that diabetics would enjoy along with the rest of the world. Stay tuned. God is not through with me yet.
Angela Sales retired in 2011, having spent many years in the City University of New York System. She now resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee with her beautiful cat, Bentley.
Comments