For Angela Martin, the email came as a shock. When her assistant forwarded the message notifying her that she had been named a 2025 Woman of Excellence honoree, she could hardly believe it.
“I was so taken aback,” Martin said. “I think I was silent for a moment because all these things started going through my head — ‘How did I get this? How did my name come up for this?’ I was so honored.”
The recognition from The Chicago Defender felt like a full-circle moment for Martin. Having spent years taking part in the Bud Billiken Parade during her radio career, she never imagined that the historic Black newspaper that championed the event would one day honor her.
“I was at the parade every year during my radio career. I loved it,” she said. “And now to be honored by this legendary, iconic publication—it just means so much.”
A Life in Media and Ministry
Martin’s career in media spanned nearly two decades. She was the voice behind Sky High Praise on 106.3 WYBA, a co-host of The Gospel Morning Show on Gospel 1390, and later a fixture on The John Hannah Morning Show on Inspiration 1390. In 2015, she won a Stellar Award for Gospel Announcer of the Year.
She said that winning that Stellar Award was a defining moment in her career.
But another transformational moment occurred when she decided to leave corporate America behind.
“I had been in corporate America for years — 23 years at AT&T, 16 years in radio. But I just felt like it was time to step out on faith,” Martin said. “I wanted no boundaries, no ceilings. I wanted to go as far as the Lord wanted to take me.”
She made the leap on her birthday in 2016, walking away from a job she loved in pursuit of something greater. “I left in good faith, on good terms, but I knew it was time to move forward,” she said. “That was a defining moment for me.”
Since then, she has built Angela Martin Ministries, Inc., where she blends media and ministry, reaching thousands through her work. In 2023, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the WWMI Bible Institute and Seminary.
Words for the Next Generation
Asked what advice she would give young people, Martin emphasized the importance of focus and perseverance.
“This generation has so many distractions,” she said. “Back in my day, we worked a job and stayed there. But now, young people switch jobs every six months if they don’t like something. You have to stay focused and put in the work.”
She also stressed eliminating regrets. “Regret is a hard thing,” she said. “And the hardest part of regret is forgiving yourself. If you do your best, you’ll never have regrets. When I left corporate America, I had no regrets because I gave it my all.”
Looking Ahead
Martin is not slowing down. She sees the future as a blend of her two passions—media and ministry.
“You can’t grow if you’re not innovative,” she said. “I try not to remain stagnant. I keep young people around me to stay connected to the ever-changing world, especially in this digital age.”
She aims to merge the knowledge from her years in media with her ministry work and expand into new areas.
“Whatever I do next,” she said, “it will be a combination of media and ministry.”
For Martin, excellence isn’t just an award—it’s a way of life. And now, with this honor from The Chicago Defender, she’s being recognized for her impact on countless lives.
About Post Author
