The Anthony Reeves Experience

Looking back, I often wish someone had taken the time to sit me down and explain how I could have pursued a debt-free college education. My hindsight reveals that I could have handled my opportunity with the Army ROTC scholarship very differently. During my senior year, I had the chance to participate in the scholarship application process for the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). At the time, my weighted GPA was around 3.4-3.5, and I was deeply involved in various activities, both within my church, school, and the community. I was also active in martial arts. Despite my involvement, I had a tendency to underestimate my own capabilities, often believing that my peers were more deserving than I was. To apply for the Army ROTC scholarship, I had to complete a three-part process. The first part was straightforward: filling out the application. The second step involved an interview with an Army ROTC officer, and the final step was a physical fitness test. Filling out the applicat...

Growing up and transitioning into manhood often involves a defining moment when a young boy must confront his father, a confrontation that's seldom easy but essential for personal growth. My relationship with my father has always been unique. As the non-custodial parent, my interactions with him were primarily limited to summer visits and the occasional Christmas season. While I hold deep love for my father, I grappled with questions about his role as a parent and what it truly meant to be a father. Growing up in a single-parent household, where my mother, a dedicated schoolteacher, struggled to provide for us, I often wondered why my dad didn't offer more support. My mother never complained or blamed him, but as I transitioned from adolescence to teenager, I became increasingly aware of the stark contrast between what my mom was doing and what my dad was not. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to engage with my father enough to gain a deeper understanding. With m...

The challenging aspect of running your own business is confronting the reality that once you close your business and work for someone else, you must adapt to seeking permission from another authority. It's often overlooked that working within an organization conditions us to operate under its established culture and standards. Everything we desire necessitates a request. Sick leave, annual leave, even attending personal ceremonies – all require permission. Many of us become so accustomed to this dynamic that we see it as an acceptable tradeoff for employment. We operate in an environment where compensation and benefits come at the cost of seeking permission for various aspects of our lives. However, when you run your own business and navigate the initial uncertainties, you quickly grasp the meaning of complete autonomy. Imagine a work environment where your day starts and ends on your terms. You have the power to close shop whenever you choose, despite the potential consequences. W...

Many people ask me about the process of closing my practice and starting a new job in the spring of 2017. It was undoubtedly an exhilarating time, but I must admit it was also quite chaotic. From the moment I received the formal job offer to my reporting date, there was a mere three weeks. During those three hectic weeks, I had to wrap up ongoing cases, shutter my practice, list my house for sale, and embark on a move spanning six states. Looking back, I realize that the chaos stemmed from my reluctance to plan ahead. When I was in the application phase for my new job, deep down, I wasn't entirely confident I would secure it. This lack of certainty led me to procrastinate planning until I had a concrete offer in hand. In hindsight, I had a good year, if not more, to prepare for the possibility of this job change that would necessitate closing my practice. My wife had urged me on multiple occasions to start planning, but my fear of negatively impacting my business held me back. Cons...

 I've edited the document for clarity, style, and grammar: **Title:** *Hidden Treasures in Plain Sight* It's astonishing how we can overlook the potential value of assets or riches when we view them through the lens of indifference. I learned this lesson during my visits to Mississippi, where my father and grandmother resided. To my younger self, their home seemed like Wonderland, filled with curious treasures. Their house was an old southern shotgun-style home with an array of items, situated on a relatively large piece of land that I didn't fully appreciate until later in life. On this land, there were two makeshift houses - one at the back of the property with limited power and running water, and the main house where most of the family lived, including my uncle, dad, another uncle, my grandmother, and my great aunt. Yet, what caught my attention only later in life were the significant items on the property. Behind the house stood a colossal cauldron, reminiscent of the W...

I've edited the document for clarity, style, and grammar: **Title:** *Lessons Learned: The DJ Contract Conundrum* It's remarkable how a single encounter with a DJ can shape one's perspective on handling professional arrangements. Often, we engage with professionals, whether friends or acquaintances, and expect them to treat us with kid gloves due to our personal relationships. However, it's crucial to understand that they are striving to be professionals in their respective fields, and they won't treat us differently just because we know them. My own transformative experience occurred during the summer of 1996 when I was in charge of organizing a fundraiser event involving a party and a dance competition. In my quest to make the event a success, I hired a DJ recommended by a coworker. I hadn't interacted with this DJ before or witnessed his work, relying solely on my colleague's endorsement. We entered into a contract, agreeing to pay him around $500 for his...

In 1998, I embarked on my law school journey at Florida State University with trepidation. I had elevated the idea of attending law school to almost mythical proportions. In my mind, only the best and brightest earned the opportunity, and I didn't consider myself among them. Lingering scars from my undergraduate years left me feeling unworthy of the school's offer. As I arrived in the fall of 1998, I carried the belief that I would likely fail each semester. Uncertainty clouded my mind about when it would happen, but I assumed that eventually, the truth would surface. In my eyes, I didn't belong there, and this feeling was a natural consequence of the school's perceived mistake in admitting me. To my astonishment, after each semester, I remained. Moreover, I was doing reasonably well. While I can't take full credit for my success, I can honestly say that forming relationships with fellow students played a significant role. Studying with groups was a novel concept fo...

Growing up with a mother who is a teacher felt like growing up with a rockstar. During my early years, it seemed that everywhere we went, someone would recognize my mom as their teacher. Knowing that so many people knew my mother made me proud.   However, as I grew older, I began hearing my friends share stories about how my mom had been their teacher. It became a common occurrence, and it started to wear on me. It wasn't that I was ashamed of my mom; it was the sheer number of classmates who would discover that my mother had taught them in kindergarten.   What I realized later was that it wasn't just about my mother being their teacher; it was about the positive impact she had on them.   I had a similar experience with my high school biology teacher, Miss Watley. She not only taught biology but also inspired me to pursue it as my college major. After my first year of college, she was the only teacher I sought out to share my academic achievements with because of the prof...

In June 1990, I found myself in a truly unique situation. I was attending advanced camp at Fort Riley, Kansas, with a clear mission: to become an active-duty officer, I had to achieve a particular score during this five-week evaluation of my leadership abilities. We were rated on a five-point scale: five for outstanding, four for excellent, three A for good, three B for average, and three C for below average. To secure a spot as an active-duty officer, you needed to earn a four or a five, with a three A providing a slim chance, while a 3B or 3C meant no chance at all. Despite my best efforts, I achieved a three A. While it wasn't the higher score I had hoped for, I felt content with the result. In hindsight, I didn't fully appreciate the experience. I was immersed in an environment where I interacted with cadets from universities across the country. I formed bonds with cadets from various colleges, and we often cherished moments when we weren't under evaluation, just being ...

My uncle Jay has always been an inspiration to me. He's worn many hats, from being a dentist to serving as an Air Force officer, and even opening his own business. These accomplishments captured my young imagination, especially because I was close to his kids, which allowed me to spend a lot of time with him and his wonderful wife, Darnell, who is one of my favorite aunts. However, it was his wisdom that truly left a profound impact on me once I became an adult. I vividly recall a time when I was struggling during my undergraduate years, and he posed a thought-provoking question: "What do you call the student who graduates last in their medical school class?" I was initially puzzled but unsure of how to respond. He then gave me the answer: "Doctor." He stressed the importance of focusing on achieving one's goals because, once achieved, no one cares about your GPA as long as you excel in your field. I carried this philosophy with me through undergrad, graduat...

When you're running a business by yourself, it can be a solitary journey. It's not that you lack colleagues to converse with in your office; it's more about the feeling of isolation that often accompanies the responsibility of making crucial business decisions. You find yourself evaluating what works and what doesn't, all while carrying the weight of uncertainty about your business's future. It's like being on an island, making every decision alone. This is where the significance of having someone in a similar situation to confide in becomes evident. In my own experience, during the nine years I managed my firm, I had a lifeline to two exceptionally dynamic women: Ingrid and Cherie. At that time, Cherie was running her law firm in Virginia, Ingrid had her own firm in Tampa, and I was located in Kissimmee, Florida. I can say with utmost confidence that I spoke with these remarkable women every week, sometimes even every day. It eventually became a routine; I'...

Upon my arrival at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, I was consumed by excitement. As a young officer, I relished the present moment, not contemplating a life beyond my role. However, my perspective shifted when my friend, Tanjela, posed a straightforward question: "What's your next step?" Initially, I pondered why further action was necessary. Tanjela, though, demanded more than a mere response—she sought a detailed plan. She challenged me to articulate my aspirations. While I had considered paths like medical or law school, the timeline and steps remained hazy. Tanjela insisted that I act immediately, sparing future discussions. Within a year, I left the military, enrolling in Florida State University's law school. After law school and a stint at a firm, I encountered crossroads. My wife, Carroll, presented two options: pursue promotion or start a law firm. Urgency underlined her counsel, dismissing promotion prospects. Her stance propelled me to initiate my own practic...

 In 2009, I found myself in a unique position. I was offered the opportunity to broadcast my podcast live from the inauguration of the 33rd General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. This invitation came unexpectedly, but I was incredibly excited to have this chance. At that time, my podcast primarily featured me and another fraternity brother who served as my co-host and engineer. Interestingly, both of us lived in central Florida. We packed up our equipment, hit the road, and traveled to Atlanta for the event. After settling into a hotel room, we dressed up for the inauguration ball and prepared to broadcast live the following day. What I didn't fully realize was the potential for me to connect with many prominent individuals due to this opportunity. During the event, I had the chance to meet noteworthy personalities such as Roland Martin, former ambassador Andrew Young, and noted figure Sheryl Underwood, among other prominent guests. This was an ideal occasio...

Have you ever witnessed someone gracefully redirecting another person while maintaining an air of professionalism, leaving them completely unaware of the redirection itself? The first time I truly grasped the concept was during my military service, alongside a fellow officer named Veronica. On a visit to Veronica's office to check in on her well-being, an interruption occurred. With a mere few sentences, Veronica adeptly guided the individual out of her office without them even realizing it. The interaction unfolded so swiftly that I barely comprehended the situation. Veronica's approach was both polished and professional, so much so that it's doubtful the person even recognized her subtle redirection. This incident was a revelation that led me to observe a recurring pattern in her leadership style. She didn't resort to shouting or disrespect; instead, she possessed a remarkable ability to assert her boundaries in a quiet, yet impactful manner, making it clear she would...

Do many of us avoid conversations with certain people, not because we don't love or appreciate them, but because we anticipate a level of brutal honesty that can be difficult to handle? While it might sound sensitive, let's be honest with ourselves. We all have individuals in our lives who we know will provide unfiltered, blunt honesty. Sometimes, this candor can sting. Yet, the truth is, these people are necessary for a fulfilling life. They cut through the noise of excuses and justifications, guiding us to the heart of the matter we're trying to address. They aim to help us achieve our desired outcomes. Occasionally, they might caution us that our actions may not align sensibly, potentially setting us up for failure. Although their delivery may be heavy, it's because they're committed to presenting the unvarnished truth. It's natural to wish their feedback was gentler, but their obligation isn't to tailor their approach to our preferences. That's the e...

When I graduated from high school in 1987, my mom was really looking forward to sending me off to college. By "sending off," I mean the whole experience of putting your child on a plane, driving them to the airport, and watching them fly off into the sunset, knowing that you have set them on their trajectory to start the next phase of their life. So you can imagine the dilemma my mom had in deciding whether she would allow her son to ride in a pickup truck for 900 miles from Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Tampa, Florida. In retrospect, it probably was not as hard considering the person who asked, my friend, John. John Smith and I grew up together. While I grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, he grew up in Star City, Arkansas. At the time, Star City was a small town with very few schools, so a lot of the kids from Star City would come to school in Pine Bluff. John and I had known each other and loved each other for most of our lives. His sister was a student of my mother's. John and ...

When I embarked on my podcast journey in 2007, I was completely clueless about the ins and outs. Back then, I used a platform that allowed me to broadcast live, eventually transforming it into a podcast, but that pretty much summed up my approach. The joy stemmed from having a platform where I could express myself, and having occasional listeners was more than satisfying. However, what truly made this experience extraordinary was the incredible support I received, turning my podcast into a reputable endeavor. Close friends assisted in scripting episodes, a dear friend guided me in reshaping my podcasting model, a fraternity brother handled the technical aspects of live on-location broadcasts, and my wife stood by me as a cohost for numerous shows. Other fraternity brothers also stepped up to lend a hand. Numerous shows were conducted on-site, and I can attest to the invaluable assistance I received from my wife, loyal friends, and fraternity brothers. What deeply moved me, and which I ...

Looking back on the decisions I've made, I realize how fortunate I've been to receive guidance from people who have helped shape my path. It's truly remarkable how we place immense power, pressure, and faith in young individuals, often just 17 or 21 years old, to determine their lifelong pursuits. At such a young age, having a clear idea of one's life direction can be challenging. At 17, you've barely experienced a fraction of life, making it unrealistic to expect a definite career choice. At 17, my fascination with biology emerged due to the encouragement of a respected teacher. This subject both excited and challenged me in unexpected ways. This influence led me to consider college, where I encountered a pivotal moment. Although I was drawn to biology, the challenges made me contemplate quitting. Thankfully, an advisor urged me to persist, citing the value of a science degree, especially for someone of color. In hindsight, his insight proved accurate. When contemp...

Back in 2009, I received an invitation from a local emerging night show host to participate in a monthly professional question and answer session. At that time, I was operating my own law firm and welcomed the opportunity for exposure. However, I soon realized that this experience was much more profound. The young host was conducting a "Ask a Lawyer" program, and what intrigued me was that all four participants shared striking similarities. We were all African-American, running our respective law firms, and practicing in distinct areas of law. As I delved into the dynamics of this group, I inquired with the host about his decision to include me. He explained that my specialization in a unique area of law, coupled with my background, set me apart. What truly astonished me was that despite having participated in similar programs before, this was the first instance where each of us was granted a 30-minute slot to introduce ourselves and address the audience's questions, rath...

When I began my law practice, my wife reminded me more than once that I had access to influential individuals who could make my life easier. She noticed that I hesitated to seek their assistance, fearing I might bother them. As a result, I often refrained from asking for help. One of the challenges in viewing people through a particular lens is that we tend to only see them in that context. I once witnessed a group of 6 young brothers getting initiated into my fraternity. Over the years, I continued to perceive them as my "little brothers" without realizing their potential as power players. Surprisingly, out of this group of six, I ended up doing business with one, while another started his own company and hired me as his attorney. Yet another brother offered valuable management and leadership training, and yet another, who had marketing experience with an NFL team, provided valuable advice to help grow my company. In total, four out of the six guys I initiated helped elevate...

When I first started podcasting back in the early 2000s, I didn't have a clear goal in mind. I was thrilled to have a platform to interview people and discuss various topics, without a specific focus in sight. During that time, I decided to create a series called "Examining Black Leadership: The Future of Black Organizations." Originally, my plan was to interview members of different organizations. However, serendipitously, my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, was in the midst of its national presidential election, leading me to interview the candidates. To my surprise, nearly all the candidates agreed to be interviewed, which made me feel honored and excited about my podcast's recognition. I hadn't realized that people outside my immediate circle were paying attention to my work. One day, Brother Willard Hall, the Executive Director of our fraternity, reached out to me. Despite having been a member for almost 20 years, I had never interacted with the national leadersh...

Throughout my life, I have never viewed myself as a leader, despite having achieved various things that might indicate otherwise. As a result, I haven't actively sought out leadership opportunities. However, the fall of 1993 presented a unique turning point for me. Dancing had always been a passion, and I had even choreographed several routines. But that year, I did something quite out of character – I stepped up and asked for the opportunity to lead. Back in graduate school, I regularly performed stepping routines with the undergraduate brothers. Our fraternity chapter had a tradition of collaborative efforts in creating step shows. Despite this, I took a leap and approached the new chapter president, expressing my interest in being the step master, the head choreographer. To my surprise, he agreed. To this day, I am unsure what drove me to volunteer for this responsibility. Our chapter had a history of winning competitions, enjoying a five-year winning streak. Some questioned why...

As I prepared to return home to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, from college in Tampa, Florida, for spring break, there was one phrase I never thought I would hear: "Can I come back to Pine Bluff with you?" Those were the words uttered by my roommate, Frank. Although I understood his desire to get out of town and not stay at college for spring break, it still perplexed me. In my mind, Pine Bluff had nothing to offer, especially not to someone like Frank. His neighborhood in Queens was larger than my hometown, and Queens itself was almost as populous as the entire state of Arkansas. He grew up in the city that never sleeps, while I grew up in a town that shut down at 9 o'clock. Despite my reservations, I was excited about taking my friend home with me. However, I must admit, I didn't know what Pine Bluff would have to offer. Surprisingly, Frank didn't need Pine Bluff to offer anything. When we arrived, we weren't just tourists trying to find something to do; we were two ...

During my college days at the University of Tampa, I had the chance to reside in a coed dorm, Delo Hall. After spending my first semester on the ninth floor, I moved to the fourth floor with my eventual best friend, Frank. It was during this second semester that I met Stacy, a fellow resident on the fourth floor. Little did I know at the time, but this chance encounter would go on to have a profound impact on my life. As a bit of an introvert, I was hesitant to connect with new people. However, Stacy's warm and friendly introduction broke through my reservations. We danced together at a party, and as time went on, she became an invaluable source of support during my fraternity pledging. Knowing her stepfather was one of my biology professors gave me a sense of familiarity and ease. What made the most significant difference, though, was the fact that Stacy came to my room to introduce herself when I first moved in. At that point, I was struggling emotionally due to a challenging fir...

  When I started my own law firm back in 2007, I convinced myself that this was a journey I needed to make on my own.   I did not plan on starting or running my own firm but when I did, I had convinced myself that I had to do it by myself.  The problem is that when I did this I did not take advantage of all of the resources I had available to me.  I did not talk to the marketing executives, the accountants, the other lawyers, the banking executives, supervisors and countless others who had a wealth of knowledge and expertise.    As such, I made a lot of mistakes early.  As time I went on, thanks to my wife, I started reaching out to my friends for their insight.  At each juncture, each friend asked the same question “Why did you not ask sooner??”.   Unfortunately, I had convinced myself that I had to suffer through this on my own.  The reality is, I did not have to suffer. Despite our beliefs, you don’t always have to suffer.   The ...

You are going to have people in your life who will constantly rely upon you to defend their actions.    In most cases, you will not mind.  However, some of these people will make it hard for you to defend them.   Mostly because they KEEP doing things to make it harder to defend them.   They will tell you that they will not do the same thing again.  You will defend them and they will go and do the EXACT same thing again.    It is important to know that if the person is not trying to help you defend them, then they are just using your reputation to give them cover.    At some point, you have to accept the reality that if they do not help YOU defend them, you can not DEFEND THEM.

 “Whatever decision you make, make sure it is the RIGHT one and not the SAFE ONE”. 25 years later and I still remember these words.   And they still resonate to this day.   I was at a cross roads.  I had always wanted to be an officer in the military.   And in 1998, I was living one of my dreams as a naval officer.  I had been stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC since 1995 and it was my very first tour.  I had an active social life.  I was renting a town home on the beach.  I was dating (and eventually married) a beautiful woman.   I was rolling.  And then, things got better.  I got orders for my next duty station aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.  As a young officer in my career field (Industrial Hygiene Officer), this was the dream assignment.   I was going to be assigned to my favorite state (Florida) and I was so excited.    However, during this time, I was exploring my options.  I was trying to determine i...

We all know the call. We all have that one person and I like that when they call, we know we are about to get our behind handed to us then I calling to shoot the breeze. They’re not calling to catch up with you in terms of how you’re doing. They are calling to put you in check for something you did that you probably should not have done. And you dread the call. Dread it because instinctively you start analyzing everything you did and you were trying to figure out exactly what did you do wrong. You take a deep breath and then you answer the call. And the call is never about what you think it is. You go down your mental Rolodex of everything you did and you think you were in a fight exactly what that is they are calling about and to your surprise you are wrong almost every time. They are calling you about something so off your radar then when they bring it to your attention, all you can do is put your head down and say OK. But something miraculous happens after every call. You are a bett...

  How many of us have attended an event solely because there was someone we wanted to meet?   Or how many of us have fallen into the belief that there was an event that we needed to attend because ‘certain people’ would be there?   The reality is most of us truly want to be exposed to people who may help us improve our position personally and professionally. However, have you ever given thought to the reality that YOU are the person that people want to be around?? You may not realize it but with each passing day, you become more proficient in your profession.   With every new event, you expand your circle of influence.  With every new opportunity, you grow your expertise. As you do, you are going to find that there will be a growing number of people who will want to be in your personal space.  As such, you will find there will be a huge desire to include you in different activities and events.  The reason this is being done is because, whether you beli...