Meet Angela Bryant of Pampering U Doula Birthing Services in Avondale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Bryant.

Angela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, where do I begin. I am 56 years old I am a mother of two adult daughter and a grandmother of 5. I am a plus-size model and the owner of Pampering U Doula Birthing services. I am a woman who has worn many hats in this lifetime. As a teenager, I want to become a model; however, back in those days, you had to be 6 feet tall and very skinny, now I was skinny but just not tall enough. I also worked in the medical field from the age of 19 mainly in Obstetrics and Gynegology.  At a very young age I became fascinated with biology specifically the reproductive system.  I wanted to become an Obstetrical Nurse but I was too scared of taking chemistry after my introduction to microbiology needless to say that didn’t work out. I did however, work in the medical field for over 20 years as a medical assistant in Ob/gyn. I feel like my life has come full circle I am now a runway and published 56-year-old plus size model, and recently completed training to become  a Doula. I have always been an encourager to women in my community. I am from Cleveland, Ohio. Growing up, I watched my father encourage a lot of his friends, more importantly he was my biggest influence. I want to be an image that projects you can make your dreams reality at any age, it doesn’t matter if you start at 56 or younger. I believe I can still be encouraging to those younger then myself as well as to those of my age and older. I started modeling again a year ago. I went to a model call hosted by then full-figured and fabulous they are now full-figured and sasse. I was selected as one of their models and I’ve been modeling in their fashion shows as well as other shows for the past year and a half. I had no idea answering that one model call would start a new adventure for me. I have been published in 13 magazines and was selected as one of the top 40 plus-size models for Mesh Doll House Model Management out of Miami, FL. My desire is to help all women to feel confident in their skin. I would like to be the image that helps all women,  specifically plus size women. My advocacy is to help stop body shaming to inspire plus-size women in knowing they are beautiful regardless of age, shape or size.

As an Doula, I also encourage women during childbirth. I provide the birthing. mother and/or partner with support a lot of women don’t have during childbirth. I  help the birthing parent(s) by educating them of the different medications, procedures and techniques that can be used during childbirth in order to have a more fulfilling birth experience.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggles of becoming a model are within society. There is an enormous lack of  acceptance for full-figured, curvy, plus-size and short women as models. Whether these women want to pursue a career on the runway or in print there are barriers.  Society needs to recognize women come in all shapes and sizes and we all should acknowledged in the fashion industry.

I would say the biggest struggle for black doula’s would also be acceptance. In the field of birthing services, we are a minority, however, that is changing.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Pampering U Doula Birthing Services is in its own birthing stage. I started this journey 20 years ago as a single mother. I recently decided to pick up where I stopped years ago. Pampering U will provide birthing services for women and their partners during labor and delivery.

These services include educational resources to enhance the birthing experience as well as teaching different techniques to help manage labor for both the birthing mother and her support person. I will also offer post-partum and grief doula services in the future. I’m most known for my passion for assisting women in the birthing process and beyond for support. I’m most proud that I’m finally able to start my business. What sets me apart from other Doula’s is my background in the medical field in Obstetrics and Gynecology, a sincere passion for the reproductive system that started in elementary school, my ability to empathize with all women and the added experience of working the birth mothers who are placing for adoption.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I would like to say I was a near-perfect little girl, those teen years maybe not so much. I was raised Baptist. My grandfather was a Baptist minister which means I had to recite the Bible to my elders quite often. I was very friendly but observant. I was very shy and quiet. I enjoyed dancing and performed for events in my community. I would say dancing was an outlet for my shy demeanor. I was into fashion, drawing and loved crafting.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 623-640-7355

Image Credit:
Model images with balloons/56/afro Captured by Vince
African attire Missy White
Heart in Tree Stephanie Smelser
Apple Luna Lee Photography

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