October 8, 1952 — April 29, 2020
Columbus native loved politics, community service
Columbus native Nathaniel Angel spent the final years of his life dedicated to uplifting and empowering the Black community. Modest but fierce, the lifelong communicator took seriously his role as his “brother’s keeper” and was always on the lookout for ways to educate his community by word and deed.
Widely appreciated and respected for his sharp wit, rich humor and unapologetic Blackness, Angel sometimes combined those traits in online posts on Facebook on various social media.
As his daughter Angela, put it, evoking the wry humor of her father in tribute to his self-descriptive signature moniker, “the last Rant of an Angry Black Man was written on Wednesday, April 29, 2020.”
Angel died April 29 after being hospitalized following an automobile accident.
Angel was born on October 8, 1952, in Columbus, Ohio to Rosetta K. Angel and William Clark, who both preceded him in death. A proud 1970 graduate of Columbus East HS, he won an academic scholarship to the University of Notre Dame. Then he walked onto the school’s football team and played for two seasons under Coach Ara Parseghian, earning his varsity letter as a fullback before deciding to concentrate on his studies. [The team went on to win the national championship in 1973, Angel’s senior year.] The versatile Angel also gained a measure of campus fame for his WNDU radio show celebrating Black music.
Nathaniel married Vanessa Parker on May 18, 1974, the day after receiving his B.A. in government from Notre Dame. They stayed in South Bend, IN, together raising their children, Nathaniel and Angela. His knack for numbers landed him in banking at 1st Source, where he stayed for eighteen years. Always active in the community, Angel led the financing team for the College Football Hall of Fame, helped provide financing for many minority businesses, and was involved with the Urban League, NAACP, and other civic organizations. He was a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
“a wry smile that kind of crept up on you… ”
"a knack for consistent and genuine relationship building.”
Nathaniel returned to his hometown of Columbus, Ohio to work in the 2004 Presidential election campaign. He loved politics and his skill as a political operative soon manifested. He climbed the ranks of the Ohio Democratic Party eventually becoming director of the African American Caucus.
Chris Redfern, who was state party chair at the time, remembers Angel fondly and saw him as a key advisor, especially helpful in voter outreach and turnout efforts.
“Nathaniel had a wry smile that kind of crept up on you,” Redfern recalls, “And he was really smart about politics. He was knowledgeable about issues, and he really knew and understood the black community. … He was good at bringing people in, listening to them, then reflecting and speaking, both thoughtfully and intuitively.”
Carri Twigg, who as political director for the 2010 gubernatorial campaign, supervised Angel, remembers him this way: “Nathaniel had a knack for consistent and genuine relationship building.”
As he had been in Indiana, Angel was heavily involved in the community once he returned home. He was active with the Columbus Civilian Community Board and the Ohio Black Expo, to name just two.
Angel maintained strong community ties in both Columbus and South Bend in his later years. He also lived part-time in Prince George’s County Maryland, where he helped his daughter Angela run and win a seat in the state legislature.
Nathaniel is survived by his children, Nathaniel Allen Angel II (Lakeshia C. Hall), Angela Monique Angel, 13 grandchildren; his brother Carlton (Jenette), and a host of family and friends.
A private visitation and memorial service will be held in Columbus on Saturday, May 9 at 1PM at Marlan J. Gary Funeral Home, The Chapel of Peace North, 2500 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH 43211.
