We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angel Reynolds a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Angel, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
At Never Forgotten Foundation, our mission is to provide unwavering support, comfort, and resources to families impacted by the devastating effects of gun violence. We are dedicated to helping those experiencing grief and loss through compassionate services, advocacy, and a strong sense of community. By offering emotional support, practical resources, and a platform for healing, we aim to empower individuals and families to navigate their journeys of recovery and remembrance. Our foundation exists to ensure that no family faces the pain of violence alone—because every life lost is never forgotten.
Never Forgotten Foundation was born from my own heartbreaking experience of losing my younger brother to gun violence during the pandemic in 2020. His untimely death left me grappling with an overwhelming sense of loss, grief, and confusion—feelings that many families know all too well when they lose a loved one to violence. In the midst of my own pain, I felt a deep absence of the support, resources, and guidance that could have helped me navigate through such a difficult time.
To cope with my grief while at home during the isolation of the pandemic, I turned to creativity and self-expression as an outlet. It was during this challenging period that I published my first children’s book, which focuses on addressing social-emotional learning needs. Publishing one of my books that I had written while in college years prior at Howard University, helped me process my emotions and begin to heal, and it became clear to me that many others, especially families affected by gun violence, could benefit from similar support.
I created the Never Forgotten Foundation to provide the kind of support I wish I had during my time of loss. This foundation is my way of offering others the resources, emotional support, and community that can help families navigate the difficult journey of grief. Through Never Forgotten, I want to ensure that no family facing the aftermath of gun violence feels isolated or without support. Just as writing and publishing my books was a tool for my healing, I hope that the foundation can serve as a resource for others, providing the emotional and practical assistance families need in their darkest moments. This is my commitment to honoring my brother’s memory and ensuring that no family ever feels forgotten in their time of loss.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Angel Reynolds, and I am the founder of Never Forgotten Foundation and Never Forgotten Publishing. Originally from New Jersey, I moved to Richmond, Virginia, as a youth and adopted it as my home. I’m a proud graduate of Howard University, where I studied topics related to youth development, trauma, and mental health, which ultimately shaped my career. After graduation, I returned to Richmond and spent over six years working in social services for the City of Richmond Department of Social Services. For the last seven years, I’ve served as a Student Support Specialist with Richmond Public Schools, focusing on supporting students and their families’ social-emotional needs and fostering resilience in the face of adversity.
My work has always centered on empowering and guiding young people, particularly those from underrepresented communities. I specialize in trauma, mindfulness, restorative justice, child development, conflict resolution, self-care, self-confidence, and self-sufficiency. Over the years, I have helped hundreds of youth navigate challenges, build emotional resilience, and succeed academically and personally.
How did I get into this work? I have always found myself supporting children and families in my career path; it’s what I love to do, serving in my community. While serving the students and families at Richmond Public Schools I was faced with helping numerous families with dealing with loss and trauma due to gun violence. Then in 2020, I experienced a profound loss—my younger brother passed away from gun violence during the pandemic. This personal grief was the turning point for me. I wanted to find a way to not only heal myself but also to help others, particularly children, process grief and emotional challenges in a healthy way. To do this, I took the step to self-publish children’s books that I had originally written as a student at Howard University. These books were born from my own experiences with loss, and I used writing as a therapeutic outlet to cope with my grief. This sparked the creation of Never Forgotten Foundation, in his memory, and Never Forgotten Publishing.
Through Never Forgotten Publishing, I have created a series of children’s books that focus on themes of emotional resilience, self-awareness, self-esteem, and grief. These books are designed to support children as they navigate difficult emotions and life changes. To date, I’ve published four books, with my fifth, Never Forgotten: Kids Guide on Finding Hope Through Grief, coming in March 2025.
What problems do I solve for my clients? The work I do through both the Foundation and the Publishing initiative addresses a critical need: helping children and families, particularly those dealing with grief, loss, and trauma, to heal emotionally and develop the tools they need to thrive. Many children face emotional struggles without having the language or resources to understand and express what they’re going through. My books provide a resource that not only helps kids process their feelings but also builds emotional intelligence and resilience. Additionally, my work through the Foundation focuses on supporting youth in overcoming trauma, learning mindfulness, and developing self-confidence—all essential skills for navigating today’s world.
What sets me apart is the deeply personal nature of my work. Never Forgotten Foundation was created out of my own grief, and every book I publish is inspired by real-life experiences. I approach my work with authenticity, compassion, and a commitment to fostering emotional healing, which resonates deeply with children and families. I am not only an author and founder but also someone who has worked hands-on with children for over a decade. This combination of personal experience and professional expertise allows me to offer products and services that are both practical and emotionally grounded.
I am most proud of the fact that my work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. My books have become tools for healing and self-discovery and seeing them resonate with young readers and parents is incredibly fulfilling. I am also proud of the Never Forgotten Foundation, which has become a space where people can come together, support one another, and find the resources they need to heal from grief and trauma. Being able to turn my pain into a force for good and to help others find hope through their own struggles is what I’m most proud of.
I want people to know that Never Forgotten Foundation and Never Forgotten Publishing are about more than just books or programs—they are about creating a supportive, healing space for people to understand, process, and overcome emotional struggles. My brand is built on empathy, authenticity, and a deep commitment to fostering emotional well-being in children, families, and communities. I strive to offer resources that are not only educational but also empowering, helping kids build confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence for a brighter future.
If you are a parent, educator, or anyone working with children, my hope is that you will find value in the books and resources we offer. Whether you’re dealing with grief, trauma, or just seeking ways to help children build a positive sense of self, my work aims to offer practical support that makes a lasting impact.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative, especially when connected to a mission like the Never Forgotten Foundation, is the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on others. Through creating, whether it’s through safe space, storytelling, or publishing, you have the power to help people navigate some of the most difficult emotions and experiences, such as grief, loss, and trauma. Knowing that your work can provide comfort, healing, and a sense of community to those in need brings a deep sense of fulfillment. With Never Forgotten Publishing, creating children’s books that help young minds process complex emotions and life challenges offers the potential for profound emotional growth, fostering resilience and empathy in future generations. The rewarding aspect lies in knowing that my creativity can serve as a beacon of hope, understanding, and connection for those navigating life’s toughest obstacles.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that things need to be perfect before taking action. For a long time, I believed that I had to wait until everything was aligned perfectly before moving forward or even getting started, whether it was the books or a new initiative that helped families. I spent so much time perfecting every detail that I often delayed starting altogether, thinking that there was always something more to tweak, refine, or adjust.
The backstory behind this was tied to a fear of failure and a desire for control. I thought that if I could just get everything perfect, then success would be guaranteed, and I’d avoid any missteps along the way. But over time, I realized that perfection was a myth—it didn’t exist in a meaningful way. Every project, especially in creative and heart work, involves growth, mistakes, and learning as you go.
I had to unlearn that waiting for perfection was actually holding me back from progress and connection. When I embraced the idea of imperfection and started taking action despite not having everything “perfect,” I began to see growth in my work, and even more importantly, I saw the positive impact it had on others. Whether it was through creating a book for children to help them process emotions and grief or launching the Never Forgotten Foundation, I learned that action, progress, and impact matter more than waiting for the perfect conditions. This shift allowed me to move forward with more confidence and freedom, knowing that mistakes are just part of the creative process and growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: www,angelreynolds.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelreynoldstheauthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelreynoldstheauthor/
- Other: https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/after-personal-loss-this-woman-is-spreading-confidence-through-her-writing
