Advocate
Angela Belford is not only an accomplished author, speaker, coach, and entrepreneur, but she is also a passionate advocate for various causes close to her heart. Her advocacy work spans across issues such as homelessness, equity, and voting rights, making a tangible impact in the communities she serves.
Angela’s commitment to addressing homelessness became evident when she fearlessly shared her personal experiences with homelessness and childhood trauma in her first book, “Be Freaking Awesome.” Inspired by her own journey, Angela joined the Northwest Arkansas Continuum of Care (NWA CoC) and served as the board chair for two years. Leading the Strategic Planning Committee, Angela played a pivotal role in bringing Northwest Arkansas into the Community Solutions Built for Zero program, a collective effort to end homelessness
Recognizing the power of storytelling, Angela delivered a powerful TEDx Dickson Street talk titled “CommUNITY: The Solution to Homelessness.” Through her personal story, she shed light on the systemic barriers contributing to homelessness and encouraged the community to unite and take action.
During her tenure as board chair on NWA CoC, Angela facilitated regular community meetings on homelessness, fostering collaboration and generating support. These efforts resulted in significant contributions, that enabled the hiring of the NWA CoC’s first Executive Director. Angela’s dedication to ending homelessness extended to her role as the executive director of the Fayetteville Housing Authority, where she implemented a preference for individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring that 10% of all new housing program openings were allocated to the NWA CoC Coordinated Entry System.
Angela’s commitment to equity and inclusion is also evident through her involvement with the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Serving within the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council and as the Policy sub-committee chair, Angela played an instrumental role in developing an Equity Policy Framework that was adopted by NAHRO’s Board of Governors in February 2021. This framework provides a roadmap for leaders to translate thought into action and program, fostering better services, deeper resident understanding, and stronger community partnerships.
Furthermore, Angela’s advocacy extends to her engagement with the League of Women Voters. Recognizing the importance of voting and civic engagement, Angela joined the League of Women Voters of Washington County Board of Directors. She actively participated in strategic planning efforts for the Arkansas League. Through her background in communication and marketing, Angela is leading the coordination of efforts to ensure the League’s message is clear, cohesive, and compelling, enabling the organization to champion transparency in government and secure equal representation for all citizens.
Angela believes in the power of advocacy to drive positive change in our communities. Her dedication to issues such as homelessness, equity, and voting rights inspires us all. Join us in making a difference and creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.
Explore Angela’s advocacy journey and learn how you can contribute to these important causes. Together, we can reshape our society, amplify voices, and create lasting impact.