Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Harris

Angela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I grew up in Washington, DC, and attended District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS). My mother passed away from stomach cancer when I was three years old, and I was raised by my father, a WWII Navy Veteran and retired federal government employee. My parents were educated in segregated schools in Greenwood, SC, and Washington, DC, and did not attend college. Growing up, my father stressed the importance of education, and I knew from an early age that I wanted to attend college and study technology.

The STEM acronym wasn’t around when I was a child, and none of my schools had formal computer science education. My father purchased my first computer for me when I was nine, and I taught myself the BASIC programming language. I attended Drexel University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems. I had no idea I was pursuing a career in a White male-dominated industry when I selected my major; I was simply focused on pursuing my passion. I participated in Drexel’s co-operative education program and worked for Rohm and Haas (Dow) and Comcast while I was a student. I had dreams of becoming a Network Engineer and starting my career in a Technology Rotation program with a large company. The economy was bad the year I graduated, and those dreams went out the window. I found a job working on a Help Desk, not the Network Engineer role I envisioned, and my salary was less than what I made during my co-op positions as a college student. To add to that, I was forced to backfill for the Receptionist while my White male colleague didn’t have to. My manager told me my colleague “didn’t fit the image he wanted to portray at the front desk.” College gave me technical and interview training, but it did not prepare me for the reality of being a Black woman in corporate America. I didn’t have mentors early in my career, and despite having a college degree and work experience, my skills were always undervalued. This became a theme throughout my career along with the pay gap and broken rung. Despite my education and years of experience, I was never able to secure a management role in corporate America. I was often told I didn’t meet the competencies, while less qualified individuals were hired or promoted.

I moved around a lot trying to escape unsupportive managers and toxic work environments. I always felt like something was missing, and I knew I was capable of doing more. 2022 was a pivotal year for me. All the years of working in toxic work environments took its toll on me, and I reached my tipping point after experiencing a traumatic incident during a department all-hands meeting that involved my leadership team. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and work-related depression, anxiety, and PTSD within seven months. This propelled me to end my 24-year career in tech and pivot into my coaching and consulting business, 2638 Management Group, LLC, full-time. There was no way I could continue to work in an environment where I was undervalued and demeaned, so I decided to take a leap of faith and bet on myself. As the Founder and CEO of 2638 Management Group, LLC, I’ve been keeping busy with some exciting work. We focus on providing executive leadership coaching and development, workshops, and leadership assessments, particularly for Black women in tech.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The journey has certainly not been smooth. I wear many hats as an entrepreneur. My target audience is Black women in tech, many of whom are self-funding their coaching. This can be a financial strain, making it difficult for them to commit to long-term coaching engagements.

Funding has also been a struggle for my business. Despite my best efforts, I haven’t found many grant opportunities that I qualify for. Most grants have specific revenue targets that I haven’t met yet. Last year was my first year running my business full-time, and to date, it has been entirely self-funded. This has placed considerable pressure on me to manage and grow the business without external financial support.

Additionally, my transition into my business full-time was accelerated due to health issues. I left my corporate job to prioritize my mental and physical well-being. This decision, while necessary, added another layer of complexity to my entrepreneurial journey.

However, these challenges have also driven me to be more resourceful and innovative in my approach. I’ve learned to leverage free resources, build strong networks, and continuously improve my services to provide maximum value to my clients. The journey has been tough, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. Every obstacle has taught me valuable lessons and helped me become a better coach and business owner.

We’ve been impressed with 2638 Management Group, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Honoring the legacy of my parents is very important to me. I named the company 2638 Management Group LLC, incorporating their birth years as a tribute. At 2638 Management Group, we’re dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations to reach their full potential. Through dynamic coaching and consulting services, we inspire growth, foster innovation, and drive success in every endeavor.

We specialize in individual and group coaching, workshops, leadership assessments, and strategic consulting services. What sets me apart is my 24 years of business experience working in Fortune 500 companies and my lived experience as a Black woman in the tech industry. We particularly focus on working with women and underrepresented minority groups.

I’m proud to share that I was named one of the top 16 Coaches in Washington, DC, by Influence Digest. Additionally, I have served as an executive coach at the Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit and as a mentor at the SXSW festival. I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), an International Coaching Federation (ICF) credentialed coach, and an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner (ELI-MP).

Our brand is built on the foundation of honoring our roots while fostering an inclusive and innovative future. At 2638 Management Group, we are committed to making a positive impact and driving meaningful change.

What do you like and dislike about the city?

What I Love About Washington D.C.:
As a third-generation Washingtonian, I take immense pride in calling the Nation’s Capital my home. The city’s prime location in the mid-Atlantic region makes travel along the East Coast a breeze. Growing up, the Smithsonian Museums served as an extension of my classroom, and attending the School Without Walls High School allowed me to fully immerse myself in our city’s rich history and culture. It was a truly unique experience to have the opportunity to learn at some of the world’s most renowned museums, and to witness the iconic motorcade of President Clinton cruising through downtown DC.

What I Like Least About Washington D.C.:
Despite the city’s many charms, I am deeply troubled by the lack of statehood for Washington D.C. It is unjust that residents contribute federal taxes, yet are denied voting rights in Congress. The disenfranchisement of D.C. citizens is a serious issue that needs to be addressed to ensure equal representation and fairness for all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.2638managementgroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachangelavharris/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@coachangelavharris?si=wjGWO8w9dCA9nywJ
• Other: https://www.angelavharris.com