Ayana Bean’s life is not unknown to national and even international audiences because it was chronicled on the American Gangster: Trap Queens series on BET. Ayana Bean travels the world telling her story in hopes of making a difference and helping young women and girls with similar backgrounds not go down the path she did.
Boston, MA native Ayana Bean has lived a life worthy of a movie, with a preview of her story being shared through her episode of Black Entertainment Television’s reboot of the highly acclaimed American Gangster series. Her hustle spanned from the streets of Boston to the entire country as she became a vital music presence in Boston and worked as the regional liaison for several major record labels including Def Jam, Sony, Eone formerly Koch Records, Interscope to name a few. However, the battles in her personal life–which consisted of raising 2 young sons, and the disease of drug addiction in the home led her down a path of fiscal ruin.
After serving time on state & Federal convictions for fraud, Ayana chose to become an advocate of at-risk women and gives talks to those in or transitioning from prison. Ayana’s life is chronicled on the American Gangster: Trap Queens series on BET. Her career in music, crimes against the government, and ultimate redemption will be told to the world in the series and in her new book A Year And A Day.
What makes Ayana unique is her magnetically charming personality & impeccable style that makes her not only a champion for women, but a tastemaker whose personal style influences trends, making her the ultimate ambassador for any brands that complement her style.
Eman: How has your childhood impacted you to become the person you are today?
Ayana Bean: What I learned from my childhood is the key to who I am today. How a family should work, how to be a mother, how to carry yourself as a young lady, so many things I learned, and not to say I did these things right but I learned from it.
Eman: If there was one thing you could change in the world, what would it be?
Ayana Bean: Peace. Everyone deserves it.
Eman: Is there something or someone you draw inspiration from? If yes, then what or who is it?
Ayana Bean: I’m inspired by my mother. I always had been but there were many years I gave her a hard time.
Eman: You are a champion for women, and you always try your best to empower women like you. In your opinion, do we have fewer individuals as such in the industry nowadays who constantly demean women instead of empowering them to stay true to who they are as human beings?
Ayana Bean: In my opinion, we have the same amount on each side. The sad thing about that is you would think that there is more demeaning going on because negativity is always highlighted. There are great people out here doing great work and changing lives.
Eman: Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming book?
Ayana Bean: A Year and A Day is all about the bumps in the road I encountered and how I’m still moving forward.
Eman: Can you tell us a little bit about your life’s chronicles on the American Gangster: Trap Queens series on BET?
Ayana Bean: My feature on American Gangster Trap Queens is a cautionary tale about how I abused my position as a Financial Advisor at colleges and by stealing checks and keeping them for my own personal use.
There were other factors that played part in my decision to do so, but in no way do I want to make any issue an excuse. I committed a crime and in no circumstance should you put yourself in a position to have days of your life behind bars. Get help, talk to someone. Save your life.
Eman: Can you tell us a little bit about your life as an advocate for at-risk women?
Ayana Bean: For me, the most rewarding thing is to help. I’m so blessed to be able to advocate for women and girls that are facing dark times. They want a way out and have actually stopped and said I need help. It takes a lot to do that.
Eman: How has the experience been so far in giving talks to women who are transitioning from prison?
Ayana Bean: I truly love it. I learn more from them.
Eman: If you could meet your younger self, what would you tell her?
Ayana Bean: Girl slow down.
Eman: What does true urban culture mean to you?
Ayana Bean: Everything is urban culture. Look at every community, the fabric of urban culture is in it.
