2024 Harvey E. Beech Scholarship recipient Angelica Foster ’25 (M.P.A.) is building a lasting legacy for her daughter and amplifying her impact as a bold, compassionate leader.
Written by Terzah Dyer, University Development
“I saw myself in Harvey Beech,” Angelica Foster ’25 (M.P.A.) said. “He was a bold person and so am I.”
Foster’s record of service and dedication to the public interest was recognized with the prestigious Harvey Beech Scholarship in 2024.
Harvey Elliott Beech ’52 was the first Black student to graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill. Before coming to Carolina for his law degree, Beech graduated from Morehouse College in 1944, where he was captain of the football team and a classmate of Martin Luther King Jr.
Beech attended Carolina during racial segregation. Upon coming to Chapel Hill, he was not welcome in many places — not in Steele dorm, not in the dining hall and not even at the pool. Beech challenged the way things were simply by existing in spaces Black students weren’t allowed to be in.
That boldness is what drove Foster to Carolina.
She recalls reading about a moment when Beech attended a football game and insisted on sitting wherever he chose.
“The newspapers printed it as if to say Harvey Beech cursed out the chancellor,” Foster said. “But he said, ‘I didn’t. I just said I would sit any damn place I wish.’ That showed me how bold he was — when others were afraid, he was speaking up. And that’s who I am.”
Like Beech, Foster has built her life around speaking up for others, especially when it matters most.
After graduating from UNC Charlotte in 2015 with a degree in criminal justice, Foster went on to serve in the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem program, where she advocated for abused and neglected children and led statewide efforts to strengthen outcomes for youth and families involved in the court system.
“I am often the person who says things that people don’t want to hear, which is why it’s easy for me to testify in court on behalf of kids and families,” Foster said.
That conviction is deeply personal. At just 9 years old, Foster testified in chambers about the abuse she and her sister were experiencing.
“I was living in fear, and that experience shaped my purpose, and that led me to not caring if I am well-liked, especially in the courtroom,” she said. “Now, I don’t shy away from difficult conversations. I advocate for what is right to protect the children I serve.” she said.
That same fearless advocacy is what connects her to Beech.
Deciding on Carolina
Faith and family ultimately guided Foster’s decision to come to Carolina for graduate school.
A mother herself, she wanted to set an example for her daughter and show her what was possible.
“I prayed and heard God say, ‘Do the things you thought you could never do,’” Foster said. “I told myself I am doing this for my daughter and building a Carolina legacy for my family, ensuring that she will grow up never thinking Carolina isn’t for her because of the color of her skin.”
That belief didn’t come easily.
When Foster was applying to college in 2011, she and many of her peers didn’t even consider Carolina.
“People would say, ‘Carolina is a dream school — don’t even bother,’” she said.
Foster didn’t think going to Carolina was a possibility for two main reasons: It’s a predominantly white school, and the financial weight on her family. When she applied to schools for her undergrad in 2011, she and her friends opted not to apply to Carolina because they were worried they wouldn’t be welcome, just like Beech.
Years later, she chose to challenge that thinking.
Not only was she admitted into the Master of Public Administration program in the UNC School of Government, she was also awarded the Harvey E. Beech Scholarship — given annually to students pursuing careers in law. Only five students receive the award each year, and Foster was the only graduate student selected.
“I don’t apply to scholarships unless they mean something to me,” Foster said. “Harvey Beech didn’t allow segregation to stop him from attending Carolina. Because of his boldness, I lived the dream that I thought was never for me.”
In the M.P.A. program, Foster found more than coursework — she found community. Professors stayed after class to continue conversations, creating space for her to show up fully as herself and grow as a leader.
The scholarship eased the financial burden of returning to school, but its impact went beyond that. It made the possibility of attending a school like Carolina real for her daughter.
“I wanted her to see it,” Foster said. “I don’t want her growing up thinking it’s just a dream.”
Resilience in the face of a challenge
In the midst of her graduate studies, leadership responsibilities, and raising her daughter, Foster experienced a serious car accident in October 2024.
She navigated recovery while continuing her academic and professional commitments.
For someone whose work centers on communication, advocacy, and leadership, the experience presented a unique challenge — but also reinforced her resilience.
“I had to be patient with myself and remain focused,” Foster said. “But I never stepped away from my purpose.”
Foster credits the M.P.A. faculty for fostering an environment that supported both high expectations and student well-being.
“The M.P.A. program holds a special place in my heart,” she said. “The faculty created space for me to continue growing and showing up fully, even during a challenging time.”
Even throughout her recovery, Foster continued to speak, train and advocate for children and families — demonstrating the same commitment that defines her work. Today, she continues to operate, lead and engage at a high level, bringing both lived experience and professional expertise to every space she enters.
Angelica graduated from the M.P.A. program in December 2025, but she will be walking in the May 2026 commencement ceremony.
Continuing the legacy
Today, Foster runs her consulting firm Angelic Impact Consulting LLC, a trauma-informed consulting firm focused on strengthening outcomes for children, families and the professionals who serve them.
Looking ahead, Foster is committed to advancing systemic change within child welfare and public service systems, ensuring both families and frontline professionals are supported to thrive.
But at the core of her work is something simpler: legacy.
“I didn’t have that legacy started for me,” Foster said. “So I wanted to create that legacy for my daughter.”
It’s a legacy rooted in the courage and compassion Harvey Beech embodied decades ago, ensuring the next generation never has to question whether they belong.
Angelica and her daughter in the School of Government building, (Photo submitted)
For Foster, Carolina became more than a place of learning; it became a platform for purpose and a pivotal part of building that legacy.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew to expect greatness, and I got more than that,” she said. “Carolina taught me that no matter what room I walk in, I can lead with authenticity, because I am supposed to be there.”
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