Meet Dr. Angela Butts Chester

We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Angela Butts Chester recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Angela, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

For me, the distinction has never been just about appearance — it’s been about spirit. Often, I find myself as the only one in the room who carries a Kingdom mindset. I walk in as a person of faith, as a woman who leads with Scripture in one hand and strategy in the other. That kind of presence can feel unfamiliar in rooms that prioritize performance over purpose, or visibility over values.

But I’ve learned to stand firm in who I am. I don’t enter spaces hoping to be accepted. I entered knowing I was assigned. That shift in posture changes everything. It allows me to lead with peace, not pressure. It reminds me that I’m not there to blend in, I’m there to be a light — to carry clarity into confusion, peace into pressure, and divine strategy into places that didn’t know they needed it. That’s the assignment, and I take it seriously.

What has made me effective in those rooms is my ability to stay spiritually grounded, even when no one else is speaking the language of faith. I don’t hide it. I live it. I’ve seen time and again how people are drawn to peace, drawn to discernment, drawn to clarity. And when you carry those qualities with God at the center, your presence speaks even before you do.

I don’t have to raise my voice to shift the atmosphere. I just need to stay in alignment. My confidence doesn’t come from my credentials alone; it comes from calling. And because I know who I represent, I never question why I’m in the room.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I help women unlock their calling and lead with purpose. As a faith-based speaker, media personality, and mental wellness advocate, my work centers around equipping leaders to rise with clarity, courage, and conviction. I am the creator of Unlocked & Called, a transformational experience designed for women who are ready to step into the next chapter of leadership, life, or legacy.

Professionally, I wear a few hats, but they all share the same thread: impact through intention. Through Daily Spark TV and PASSIONEER Magazine: The Podcast, I create space for voices that need to be heard. Whether I’m behind the mic or teaching inside a curriculum, my goal is always to educate, elevate, and encourage.

What makes this work so meaningful to me is the way it blends faith with forward-thinking strategy. I don’t believe you have to choose between softness and strength, or between soul and success. You can lead boldly and still be deeply rooted. That’s the space I help women claim for themselves.

Right now, I’m most excited about the launch of Unlocked & Called. It’s not just a course, it’s a three-part journey that helps women redefine what leadership looks like for them. We explore everything from spiritual grounding to emotional resilience to legacy impact. It’s for the woman who knows she’s called to more and is finally ready to access it fully.

I also continue to grow The Thrive Exchange, a community-centered interview series and platform for courageous, holistic conversations. It brings together thought leaders, creators, and purpose-driven professionals who are shaping the world through the lens of faith, service, and strategy.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: You are not behind. You are not disqualified. Your story is not too messy or too late. You are simply unlocked, and it’s time to walk fully in what you’ve been called to do.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey have been: spiritual discernment, emotional intelligence, and strategic communication.

Spiritual discernment gave me the clarity to know what was mine to carry and what wasn’t. When you’re building something that hasn’t been done before in your circle or industry, it’s easy to chase trends or stretch yourself thin trying to meet others’ expectations. Learning how to listen for divine direction and trust God’s timing kept me focused, grounded, and aligned with purpose. For those early in the journey, I’d say: build a habit of quiet. You need stillness to recognize your next right step.

Emotional intelligence helped me lead with both compassion and wisdom. Whether I was mentoring women, managing a team, or handling challenges behind the scenes, I had to learn how to read the room, to honor how I felt while remaining anchored in God’s grace and discernment. For anyone just starting out, I encourage you to reflect often. Ask yourself: How did I show up today, and what did that teach me? Growth lives in those answers.

Strategic communication made the difference in how my message reached people. Whether it was writing curriculum, speaking from the stage, or hosting conversations on air, I had to learn how to communicate with clarity and conviction. My advice here is simple: tell the truth. People don’t need perfect words; they need an authentic voice.

Learn to speak from a holistic place, and you will reach hearts you never imagined.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

There are two books that have deeply shaped both my personal growth and how I lead: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven.

The Alchemist spoke to my spirit in a way that few books have. It reminded me that purpose doesn’t always come with a map – it comes with a whisper. One of the most powerful lessons was that when you pursue your personal legend, all of creation rises to support you. That message continues to shape how I listen to God’s direction, especially when it’s quiet, and how I teach others to trust the unfolding of their own path. Purpose is not found, it’s revealed, and it’s often revealed in motion.

Make Your Bed brought that same vision into practical discipline. It showed me how the small things become the structure for the big things. There’s something deeply spiritual about order, about choosing excellence even in the smallest acts. Admiral McRaven’s words affirmed what I teach now: preparation is a form of faith. When you get up, make the bed, and start the day with order, you are declaring—I’m ready. That mindset matters in leadership, in healing, and in legacy-building.

Both books approach life from different directions, yet they agree on this truth: your life will reflect what you believe about yourself. That’s why I now help women align their beliefs with their brilliance so they can rise with clarity, walk in purpose, and lead from a place of wholeness.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://drangelachester.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drangelachester
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/drangelachester