We had the good fortune of connecting with A’Maginese O’Neal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi A’Maginese, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am originally from the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. I spent the first half of my life there with my mother and two brothers. Although I witnessed my fair share of challenges and knew we were not in the most ideal neighborhoods, Chicago has always felt like home. It is where I first learned the true meaning of community and where I embraced being unapologetically myself, no matter who was watching.

My mother was a single mother of three, and my father was incarcerated during my childhood. As a result, we moved around frequently. At one point, we had no electricity, lived with my mother’s friends, and even stayed in a homeless shelter. I will never forget when my fourth-grade teacher pulled me aside after learning from my mother that we were homeless. I was nervous because I thought I was in trouble. Instead, she cried and said, “I never would have known until your mom told me. You always look nice, and your homework is always done. You have the highest grade in the class.” At the time, I did not fully grasp what she meant. Now I understand that I did not look like what I was going through.

And I cannot forget about my brothers. I was the only girl in the middle of two boys, one older and one younger, and I can truly thank them for the fighter spirit that lives in my heart. Growing up with them taught me how to stand firm, speak up, and stay resilient no matter what life threw our way. There is something powerful about knowing I always have two brothers to lean on. Both of them carry the same spirit of generosity, love, and forgiveness that my mother embodies. They have always shown up for me, and their presence and support have shaped my strength more than they probably even realize.

When things in Chicago became more difficult, I moved to Springfield, Illinois to live with my father, stepmother, and stepbrother. Springfield was the first place I truly felt stable. It took time to adjust, but that transition became one of the best decisions my mother ever made. Living there shaped me into the person I am today. It is also where I learned that your net worth is directly connected to your network.

I owe everything to my parents. My mother instilled in me the importance of prayer, trusting God, and maintaining optimism through adversity. Despite everything she has endured, she remains loving, faithful, and grounded. She taught me the value of leading with love, even when we had little to give. I remember how we would prepare two Thanksgiving meals, one for ourselves and one for the houseless. That spirit of generosity still lives within me.

My father has shown me that even when you make mistakes, you can still own your story, face the consequences, and start again. He is a living example that it is never too late to chase success. Time will pass regardless, so you might as well use it to build the life you envision.

Together, my parents taught me that love and compassion go a long way. You never know what someone is going through or how much your kindness may mean to them. I have also learned that just because life does not unfold as planned, that does not mean you should give up. There is always room for gratitude, joy, and growth. There are no limits to what you can achieve when you commit to doing the work.

From interning for the Democratic Chairs Association and the Illinois Attorney General, to serving as an assistant for doctors and midwives, to stepping into an Executive Director role at a nonprofit and organizing a virtual Black Maternal Health Summit that brought over 500 Black mothers together to learn about maternal warning signs. From becoming a grant writer and launching my own marketing company to losing 165 pounds, building a social media following of over 120,000 across platforms, launching my fitness and nutrition coaching business, being over Logistics & Operations for a Fitness Festival in Atlanta, GA, and being two semesters from completing my Bachelor’s degree in political science, I know this is only the beginning.

Without my mother, my father, my brothers, and the cities of Chicago and Springfield, I would not be the woman I am today. For that, I am deeply and humbly grateful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently a full-time college student finishing my political science degree at Georgia State University. I am also a coach who helps women, primarily Black and Brown women, on their fitness and nutrition journey. In addition to that, I am a Social Media Influencer with a community of over 120,000 across all platforms. I serve as the Logistics and Operations Manager for a fitness festival based in Atlanta, and I am the Executive Director of Her Birth Right, an organization that centers Black maternal health. I also assist nonprofits with their grant writing and development needs.

What sets me apart is my acceptance of the fact that I am not here to do just one thing. It took time for me to embrace the idea that I could have multiple talents, passions, and roles, and that all of them are valid. I no longer feel pressure to fit into one box. I believe I am here because many women along my journey believed in me, advocated for me, and created space for me to grow. I am the product of support, mentorship, and sisterhood.

In high school, I had a mentor named Amy Cole who saw something in me before I saw it in myself. She advocated for me, poured into me, and gave me access to rooms and opportunities I never even knew existed. In college, I became a member of the Epsilon Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The women in my sorority, especially my line sisters, have built me up and constantly reminded me of my greatness. My former boss, Karie E. Stewart, welcomed me into her nonprofit organization, Melanated Midwives, and gave me space to lead. I poured into her vision, and in return, she poured into me. The opportunity she gave me changed the way I viewed my own potential.

My mother has been a lifelong advocate, always standing for peace, love, and purpose. Her strength and integrity have shaped me more than I can put into words. My Aunt Jamila gave me the opportunity to be part of Her Birth Right, and through that, I found my voice and my purpose in Black maternal health. To Tank and Tierra, from Fit Fest ATL, thank you for allowing me to take up space. Thank you for listening, for trusting my vision, and for speaking life into me when I needed it most.

This journey has not been easy. There have been times when I questioned if I was on the right path. But through it all, I have learned that showing up as your full self, even when it feels uncomfortable, is the most powerful thing you can do. I have learned the value of leaning on other women and building with people who see you fully and support you without hesitation. I am proud of every title I hold, every step I have taken, and every door I have walked through.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that I am not afraid to be layered. I am passionate about wellness, about advocacy, about sisterhood, and about legacy. I want to help women build lives that they love and feel proud of, just like I am building my own. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I will continue to reach back and create space for others. My story is still being written, and I know this is only the beginning.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit Atlanta for a week, we would have the best time ever. I am a coffee and tea lover, so every morning would start with a coffee run. I would take them to Spiller Park Coffee and Prevail Union. Both spots have such a cozy vibe and serve quality drinks that set the tone for the day.

Even though I have lived in Atlanta for over three years, I still have not explored the brunch scene fully, which I know sounds wild. But that just means we would get to experience some new places together for the first time, and I love that kind of adventure.

One of our first activities would be taking a walk along the Atlanta Beltline. It is such a peaceful yet lively place to move your body and enjoy the city’s energy. After that, we would head to Ponce City Market, which has great shops and such a fun atmosphere. Shopping would definitely be on the itinerary every day, whether we are checking out the outlets or hitting up one of the major malls in the city.

For lunch, I would make sure we hit up some of my go-to spots like 26 Thai, Hawkers, and Tyde Tate Kitchen.

Dinner would be a whole experience. I would take them to The Optimist for seafood, Barcelona for the ambiance and tapas, and Bar Taco for something casual but delicious. The food scene in Atlanta never disappoints.

One thing we would do every single day is go to a different workout class. Atlanta has one of the most diverse and vibrant fitness communities I have ever seen. Whether it is cycling, boxing, pilates, yoga, or HIIT, this city has it all. We would explore different studios, meet incredible instructors, and keep our bodies moving in new and exciting ways.

By the end of the week, my best friend would feel like they had the full Atlanta experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout goes to my mother, Michelle Patterson, and my Auntie Jamila Pleas. These two women have been the backbone of so much in my life, and I am beyond thankful for them. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me have helped shape the woman I am today. Both of them have shown me the importance of keeping God at the forefront of everything I do, and they have stood by me through every high and low.

To know my mother, Michelle, is to know sunshine. She radiates love, compassion, and strength in every space she enters. Without her, I would not be where I am. Like my mother, I am a woman of many passions. Watching her pursue each of hers with grace and determination has been a joy and an inspiration. She continues to lead by example, and I am endlessly proud to be her daughter.

My Auntie Jamila is the reason I was introduced to the world of Black Maternal Health. She believed in me enough to allow me to serve as Executive Director of her organization, Her Birth Right. Her Birth Right is dedicated to empowering nurses, addressing the maternal mortality and morbidity rates of Black women in the United States, and uplifting women in all areas of life. That experience changed the trajectory of my career and my purpose.

My last shout-out goes to Tierra and Tank for being great friends and amazing people to work with.

Their love, leadership, and faith have left a permanent imprint on my journey, and I am honored to give them the recognition they deserve.

Website: https://www.amaginese.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaginese/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaginese/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amagineseo

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