The Anthony Reeves Experience

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...