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Angie Gervais

Meet Angie Gervais of Oregon

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Gervais.

Hi Angie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a Haitian household in Miami, Florida, with a deep love and appreciation for my culture. My mother is from Cap-Haïtien and my father is from Port-au-Prince, and she taught me what it means to be a strong woman and a strong mother who continues to love and support her children. I also experienced the loss of my father at a young age while I was still in elementary school, which shaped me in ways I continue to understand today.

For a long time, I felt like I was living in a cocoon. Although I was surrounded by familiarity in Florida, I didn’t truly feel like myself. I knew there had to be more to life, and deep down, I wanted to find myself again and learn how to truly love who I was.

Moving to Portland in 2023 became a turning point for me. Changing my environment felt like being reborn. I began seeing the beauty in life in a completely different way. I discovered new communities, new experiences, and opportunities to serve others. My mission trips to Guatemala, Guatemala City, and Bernal, Mexico have especially opened my eyes to the world and reminded me how much more there is to experience. I know there are many more journeys ahead of me.

My journey has also changed the way I see myself. I used to model, and now I’m learning to embrace myself in a completely different way. Healing and growth take time, and I’m still on that journey. But when I look back at where I started, I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

Today, I’m continuing to learn, heal, serve, and grow. I may not have everything figured out, but I’m grateful for the woman I’m becoming and I’m excited for everything that is still ahead.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road?! Absolutely NOT! Haha. Honestly, I can laugh about it now because life really is a roller coaster, and there have been moments when I felt like I was holding on for dear life.

There have been so many bumps along the way from questioning whether I was even going to complete my bachelor’s degree, to feeling like I was being attacked from all sides, to moments when I genuinely felt like giving up. There were times when I questioned my worth, my purpose, and whether I was really capable of achieving the things I dreamed about.

But somehow, I kept going.

Then I won my first pageant, at a time when I didn’t even believe I was worthy of wearing the crown. That experience reminded me that sometimes God sees something in you before you are able to see it in yourself. I chose to trust Him, follow His direction, and keep moving forward.

Now, I’m no longer chasing what I think I’m supposed to have. I’m walking boldly toward what I believe is meant for me. The road hasn’t been easy, but every struggle has helped shape the woman I am becoming and I wouldn’t trade the journey.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work is centered around creativity, storytelling, advocacy, and community. Through pageantry, public speaking, my children’s book Angie’s Light, and community service, I use my voice and experiences to encourage others especially young people to believe that they matter and that their stories are worth telling.

I’m especially passionate about mental health awareness and creating spaces where people feel seen and heard. I’ve participated in community events, visited elementary schools for story readings, and used my platform to connect people with resources and encourage conversations that are sometimes difficult to have.

What I’m most proud of is how I’ve turned parts of my own journey into something that can help others. I know what it feels like to question your worth, and that’s why I want people to know they don’t have to go through life feeling invisible.

What sets me apart is that I’m not trying to present a perfect image. I’m still growing, still healing, and still learning and I’m willing to be honest about that journey. I believe my authenticity, Haitian roots, creativity, and commitment to serving my community are what make my work uniquely mine.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Think about the little girl in the mirror. She is cheering you on, believing in you, and reminding you of how far you’ve already come.

You are growing into something beautiful, powerful, and inspirational, even if you can’t see it yet. There will be moments when you feel tired, discouraged, or like giving up, but keep pushing and keep fighting. Sometimes, the moment you feel like giving up is the moment right before everything begins to take off.

Don’t forget why you started. Keep your head held high, believe in yourself, and remember that the little girl you once were is still looking at you and cheering you on. Keep going,you are becoming everything she dreamed you could be.

Contact Info:

Woman wearing a crown and sash that reads 'Miss Oregon' smiling outdoors with trees and a building in the background.

Three women standing under a tent, one wearing a crown and sash, another in a costume, and the third in a blue dress.

Person standing in front of a tent with green and white balloons, outdoors on a sidewalk, with buildings and trees nearby.

Group of five women sitting around a table in a room with large windows and wooden walls, engaged in conversation.

Woman with black hair and a crown, wearing a black outfit, holding her hands near her head, pink background, magazine cover.

Group of people in pink shirts posing indoors, some standing and some kneeling, with a colorful background.

Illustration of a woman wearing a crown and sash, surrounded by children, with a cityscape and mountains in the background.

Group of young cheerleaders with pom-poms and a coach on a blue track field, with people and trees in background.

Group of children and adults standing on a colorful mat in a room, with bookshelves and a yellow display on the side.

Adult woman reading a book to four children seated at a blue table in a classroom, with educational posters and shelves in the background.

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