Angela Stanton-King

Angela Stanton-King – Life, Work, and Notable Quotes

: Angela Stanton-King – American author, speaker, activist, former prisoner, and redemption advocate. Explore her biography, works, beliefs, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Angela Stanton-King (born February 19, 1977) is an American author, speaker, media personality, and conservative political figure. She has a compelling life story: once convicted and imprisoned, she later received a presidential pardon, then transformed into an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform, family unity, faith-based activism, and “second chances.” Today, her writings, public positions, and activism stir both admiration and controversy. In this article, we examine her life, career, philosophy, achievements, and the lessons drawn from her journey.

Early Life and Family

Angela Stanton-King was born in Cheverly, Maryland on February 19, 1977.

She spent parts of her childhood in Buffalo, New York, and Greensboro, North Carolina, before later relocating (as an adult) to Atlanta, Georgia.

An important connection in her life is her godmother: Alveda King, a niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Her familial and social roots brought her into orbit with civil rights-era legacies and Christian activism.

Youth, Education & Formative Challenges

There is limited detailed public information about her formal schooling. Much of her early life, as she herself describes, was marked by hardship, instability, and exposure to environments that would later contrast sharply with her later advocacy work.

One of the pivotal and traumatic episodes in her life involved incarceration: in 2004, at age ~27, she was convicted on federal conspiracy charges related to a car theft ring. shackled during childbirth, a practice she fought publicly against.

These experiences became foundational in her later advocacy and personal narrative.

Career, Advocacy & Redemption

Pardon, Reinvention & Public Platform

After serving more than two years in prison, Angela Stanton-King’s life took a dramatic turn. In February 2020, she was granted a full unconditional presidential pardon by Donald J. Trump.

Following her pardon, she repositioned herself as a public figure: a media personality, speaker, author, and activist. From the Bottom Up (season 3) as part of her media presence.

She also founded or leads organizations aimed at social reform. For example, she is founder and president of the American King Foundation, whose mission is to reunite American families impacted by mass incarceration and to promote pathways to justice, economic stability, and relational wellness.

Her activism emphasizes criminal justice reform, family unification, and respect for life, especially in relation to incarcerated women and children.

Writing & Publishing

Angela Stanton-King is an author who has published autobiographical and advocacy works. Stanton Publishing House. Life of a Real Housewife (originally published as Lies of a Real Housewife), which recounts her life, the mistakes, and her journey to redemption.

A more recent book is King, Trump, Kennedy, which traces her engagements with political figures, her transformation through adversity, and her path of social advocacy.

Her literary voice centers on themes of redemption, faith, resilience, and reform.

Politics & Public Office Bid

Her public role expanded into politics. In March 2020, she declared her candidacy for Georgia’s 5th Congressional District, aiming to challenge civil rights icon John Lewis. Nikema Williams, who replaced John Lewis on the ballot following his death.

Her campaign focused on “core values” such as job creation in minority communities, economic growth, criminal justice reform, faith and family, and support for veterans and military.

Advocacy Highlights & Reforms

  • Her story of being shackled during childbirth contributed to public pressure and legislative action. She is credited with raising awareness that helped efforts to prohibit the practice of restraining incarcerated women in labor.

  • She was supportive of the First Step Act, a U.S. criminal justice reform law, which notably made it illegal to handcuff women during childbirth in federal prisons.

  • Through her foundation and public speaking, she advocates for record clearances, assisting formerly incarcerated people, and preventing pitfalls in the justice system.

Her activism is polarizing: she is outspoken on issues such as abortion, LGBTQ rights, and her political alliances, sometimes generating both support and criticism.

Personality, Beliefs & Public Perception

Faith & Redemption

Faith plays a central role in Angela Stanton-King’s narrative. She often frames her life in terms of transformation—“from shackles to freedom,” from conviction to activism—and emphasizes redemption, spiritual awakening, and a mission-driven life.

She also emphasizes personal accountability, the possibility of change, and the importance of assisting others in similar circumstances.

Stance on Social Issues

Her public positions are rooted in conservative and faith-based values. Some of her notable stances:

  • Sanctity of life / pro-life advocacy: She strongly identifies as pro-life and has publicly challenged abortion-related arguments.

  • Criticism of LGBTQ issues: She has made remarks linking certain LGBTQ topics to broader social concerns, which have provoked controversy.

  • Support of QAnon & conspiratorial leanings: Her views and statements have drawn attention to her connections or sympathies with QAnon-related ideas, which has stirred debate and criticism.

  • Support for restoring rights to formerly incarcerated: She supports voting rights and reintegration support for people after serving felony sentences.

Public Reception & Criticism

Because of her outspoken views and political alignment, Angela Stanton-King is a polarizing figure. Her critiques of more mainstream progressive narratives, her strong stances on social issues, and her political alliances have drawn both supporters and detractors.

Some critics have questioned her positions on LGBTQ issues, her public comments about transgender individuals, and her support of conspiracy theories.

Nonetheless, her life story, with its extremes of incarceration and redemption, affords her a distinct platform from which to speak on justice, law, faith, and reform.

Famous Quotes of Angela Stanton-King

Below are selected quotes that capture her convictions, perspectives, and rhetoric:

“I was a convicted felon. No one wanted to give me a job, I couldn't get any government assistance, and I couldn't get any housing assistance.” “Change only happens when we do something different. I believe I am that change.” “I am a strong believer in the sanctity of life. It’s time that someone stands up for the lives of the unborn.” “Every time you hear that the majority of Democratic candidates go on stage, they say poor women of color need access to abortion … I was born to a poor woman of color.” “I am not a Q candidate but it’s crazy to see how advocating for the safety of children makes me such a target.” “The media has a tendency of manipulating things to show in their favor.”

These quotes reflect themes of adversity, activism, identity, and confrontation with media / political structures.

Lessons from Her Life

From the life of Angela Stanton-King, several lessons and reflections emerge:

  1. Redemption is possible—but contested
    Her life illustrates that a past mistake need not define one’s future. Yet the legitimacy of that transformation is often debated in public discourse.

  2. Personal trauma can fuel purpose
    Her own experience of being restrained during childbirth became a focal point for activism, showing how personal pain can inspire systemic reform.

  3. Voice matters—especially for marginalized people
    Having a lived experience of incarceration, economic hardship, and courtroom justice gives her a perspective that traditional political actors may lack.

  4. Polarizing stances entail risk
    Strongly held convictions, especially on sensitive social issues, often attract both attention and backlash.

  5. Aligning with powerful networks amplifies platform
    Her relationships with figures like Alveda King and political leaders have been instrumental in magnifying her voice.

  6. Advocacy must balance narrative and policy
    Telling one’s story is potent, but turning it into sustainable reform requires bridging emotion with legislative and institutional shifts.

Conclusion

Angela Stanton-King’s life is a dramatic tapestry of failure, resilience, faith, controversy, and activism. From incarceration to a presidential pardon, from memoirs to political campaigns, she has carved a provocative public persona. Her influence rests not only on what she says but on the tensions inherent in her story—between redemption and accountability, between religious conviction and political ideology, between advocacy for reform and divisive stances.

Whether one agrees or not with her views, she serves as an example of how adversity can become a launching pad for activism—and how complex public life becomes when someone embraces both vulnerability and force.