Urban Grandstand Digital Issue 3 | Page 17

ending it with a word of encouragement; it was an honor for me.

James Johnson: I think it’s great to be a part of that. You received a lot of support even from your cast mates on the show for this, which was really good. It’s cool that you lend your support to so many causes.

Angela Robinson: That’s why we’re here though. I think when you look at the success of "The Haves and The Have Nots", it has to mean more than receiving accolades, and better parts as actors. We have to do more with it than that, or what was it all for? I think we’re meant to give our time and service to others. I’m grateful for the success of my career, absolutely, but also to better serve my community.

James Johnson: Definitely. And talking about your success, I really wanted you to speak on the Actors for those who don’t know much about it. I know you went through a rough patch in your career, and they helped you tremendously.

Angela Robinson: Absolutely! Actors Fund saved my life, and those of many other actors. It’s hard to ask for help, especially when you aren't the type of person that normally would go around asking for a handout. It’s one of the hardest things to muster up enough energy to walk into someone’s office and ask “can you pay my rent”, or “can you help me with my bills”. When you do muster up the courage to do that, and to have someone greet you with love and respect, and not judge you, and not think you’re a horrible person, but just say “how can we help you”, or “we’re here for you”, “what can we do”? It was the most humbling experience for me. They could not have been kinder. I always vowed at that moment that if I was ever in a position to help them, and help other struggling artists, I would do so. I had been ill. I had been diagnosed with a thyroid disease, and it just totally knocked me off my feet. I was unable to work for a very long time. My bills just kept piling up. Some actors don’t work because of illness, and some don’t work because it’s just a slow season for them. There are many, many reason s why we go through rough patches. Every actor will go through one. That’s just the nature of the business. To go through it, and then one day, in the midst of an eviction notice, someone says

Angela Robinson: I did. Again, they asked me. I have no idea how they got my name. I speak a lot throughout the country. It’s something I enjoy doing. I guess someone heard me and invited me. I was really thrilled to be there. Military has been in the backdrop of my life. My father was an Army Captain in World War II, and I traveled with the USO entertaining troops for many years. I traveled the world as a singer entertaining our troops, so the military has always been special to me. I wasn’t really educated well on women vets. I had seen a number of male vets, but the plight of women intrigued me. It was really one of the best few days of my life, learning about the women, getting to know them and fellowshipping with them, and then

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