My DEI Story: Angella Dunston

My DEI Story: Angella Dunston 

My DEI Story started over 40 years ago, in a rural, southern town in eastern NC. As a child, I marched and protested along with my mother and other community members against the unjust and illegal dumping of toxic, cancerous chemicals in my hometown. This act of environmental racism and injustice against an impoverished minority community was later coined as the beginning of the environmental racism movement in North Carolina and was the start of my lifelong journey as an advocate.

That humbling and eye-opening experience at a very young age made me determined that the discrimination I saw against those who were poor and people of color would not be my reality. It was in that moment that I concluded it was those who were socioeconomically depressed and marginalized that were often victims. Armed with that information, I studied hard, got good grades and made education my tool to fight against discrimination. Because my family couldn’t afford to send me to college, I worked part-time and full-time and attended classes at night.  I became the first member of my family to attend a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) as well as a Predominantly White University.

Through hard work, determination and faith in God, I continued my advocacy efforts into my college years and throughout my professional careers. I’ve had the distinction of working for the first and only female governor in the state of NC. I have also been fortunate to positively influence and advocate for reforms with numerous foreign dignitaries to improve the quality of life in their countries.

My life’s work of being an advocate has led me to realize that government relations is my true calling. It is within this field that I have been privileged to advocate for entities that range from business start-ups, to veterans and the military, senior citizens and at-risk children.  I’ve been granted numerous opportunities that I would have never expected from my humble beginnings. However, the doors that were open for me are the same doors that I would like everyone who is a Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) and any other person that has been marginalized to have open for them.

Being a part of Women In Government Relations (WGR) and other women-led leadership groups has helped me to strengthen my professional skill sets and confidence. I feel lucky to be able to use my time, talents, and treasures to help those most in need. I look forward to continuing to work with the WGR DEI Committee to improve diversity, equity and inclusion opportunities for all, especially women.

The WGR “My DEI Story” Blogs are featured monthly, highlighting the story of a DEI Committee Member or supporting ally. These blogs are designed to shine a light on the amazing diversity that exists within our community, and to recognize that EVERYONE has a DEI Story. Interested in having your story featured?  Please send an email to dei.wgr@gmail.com.