Her Story
About Angela
Angela Thomas is a videographer and filmmaker based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with more than three decades of experience across broadcast journalism and film production. She launched her career in TV news before stepping back from the industry to work in retail banking while raising her children as a single mother. Once her children were grown, she returned to her creative roots, enrolling in a digital media program at the University of the District of Columbia, where she had earlier completed her bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism. That renewed pursuit led her to produce a short film that has since been entered into two festivals, alongside her first photography exhibit at a studio gallery.
Today, Thomas leads ATemergeFilms, a freelance venture she founded to provide cinematography and filmmaking services, including documentary and biopic production for audiences both domestically and abroad. Her portfolio spans local film crews and DC-registered productions, covering everything from fashion shows to sporting events, and she brings the same versatility to her photography work, capturing portraits, landscapes, and other stills with a professional eye. Earlier in her career, her involvement with the Rhythm and Blues Foundation during the Grammys connected her with notable figures such as Barry Gordy, Diana Ross, and Penny Marshall, experiences that shaped her understanding of the industry's demands and rewards.
Beyond her filmmaking work, Thomas is active in her community as a member of the stream team at her church and as a contributing writer for the Citizens Climate Lobby. She credits her accomplishments to an unwavering support system of family, community, and faith, describing it as the village that has carried her through every stage of her journey. She encourages young women entering the industry to stay grounded, seek mentorship, and remain clear-eyed about their goals despite the referral-driven, often difficult path to building a name in the field.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Angela
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong support system around me — my family, my community, and my faith. It truly takes a village, and I've been fortunate to have one that carried me through both my personal and professional journey. My path took me from retail banking back to film production once I became an empty nester, and along the way I've had the privilege of being exposed to high-profile clients such as Barry Gordy, Diana Ross, and Penny Marshall through my work with the Rhythm and Blues Foundation during the Grammys.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is to know my own strengths and talents, and to let that self-awareness guide my career choices rather than simply following a resume-driven path. Aligning what I do with what genuinely interests me has made all the difference.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry to stay focused and keep perspective. Find mentors who can guide you, and don't let yourself get distracted by external factors that pull you away from your goals.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is simply getting your foot in the door — this industry runs almost entirely on referrals, which makes it difficult to build a reputation without established connections. I look to professionals like Ron Howard and Anne Hathaway, who have sustained long careers through consistently strong work and the respect of their peers. I'm also mindful of the added challenges working mothers face in this field, having navigated similar demands myself.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith is the most important value guiding both my work and personal life. It's what has helped me navigate difficult times and continues to shape the decisions I make professionally and personally.
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