The Anthony Reeves Experience

College is often seen as a time for academic and personal growth, but for me, it was a transformative period in ways I could have never anticipated. As I stepped into my sophomore year at the University of Tampa, I found myself at a unique crossroads. Two of my closest friends, John from my hometown in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Frank from New York, decided not to return. Their absence left me feeling untethered and forced me to reimagine my support network. At the same time, I was navigating new responsibilities as a resident assistant. Little did I know that this upheaval would lead to one of the most defining experiences of my life: forming deep, meaningful connections with a diverse group of students from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. This journey began unexpectedly when I noticed a visibly upset student named Sylvan, from Aruba. A simple question, ‘Are you okay?’ sparked a friendship that expanded my worldview. Sylvan introduced me to his circle of friends. ...

Resident Assistants, ResCom Dorm University of Tampa, 1990 to 1991 When I was a senior at the University of Tampa, I had the distinct honor of serving as a Resident Assistant (RA) for three of the four years I was there. As an RA, I was responsible for overseeing a floor of students, helping resolve conflicts, planning programs, and serving as a bridge between students and the university. Before college, I had never even heard of the position. During my freshman year, I had two different RAs because I lived on two different floors, but even then, I never considered becoming one myself. RAs are seen as student leaders, often acting as the first authority figures outside of a student’s family. They play an integral role in shaping the college experience for others. When I applied for the position at the end of my freshman year, I honestly didn’t think I stood a chance. Attending a predominantly white, private institution filled with students from privileged backgrounds, I questioned wh...

Growth doesn’t always come with a trophy. Sometimes, it comes from stepping into the unknown, testing your limits, and realizing you’re stronger than you thought. Recently, I competed in a karate tournament in a place I had never been before. Unlike previous tournaments, where I had my karate brothers and sisters, my teacher, or at least the familiarity of competing in my home state, this time, I had none of that. It was just me, my training, and the challenge ahead. A Different Kind of Challenge This tournament had been on my calendar for months. A few weeks ago, I finally registered and paid my fees. On the morning of the event, I packed my gear—my uniform, protective equipment, and, being a little older now, some arthritis cream, a brace, and Tylenol for my knees. Then, my wife and I made the two-hour drive to a completely unfamiliar place. Competing in karate isn’t new to me. I’ve fought in small local tournaments and large international ones. But this time felt different. The...

Opening your own business is an exhilarating, terrifying, and transformative journey. If you are serious about pursuing your dream, two critical milestones will define your experience: Day 0 and Day 1. While Day 1 is when your business officially launches, Day 0 isn’t a single day at all. It represents the preparation period that lays the foundation for your success. It’s where you tackle countless decisions, large and small, to ensure that when your doors open for the first time, you are ready to hit the ground running. For me, Day 0 was a whirlwind. I made the leap in 2007 to open my law firm. The first step was picking a date, October 1st. Committing to a date transformed my preparation process into a countdown. I had to move quickly and strategically to handle the practicalities: securing office space, filing the necessary paperwork, and meeting the legal requirements to operate a business in Florida. It wasn’t just about logistics, though. Day 0 was filled with emotional challe...

Most people have no idea how close I came to dropping out of college or, at the very least, transferring. When I arrived at the University of Tampa in the fall of 1987, I was looking forward to a new chapter in my life, but I had no real idea of what to expect. Unfortunately, my first semester was nothing short of miserable. I was struggling financially to the point where even buying something as simple as laundry detergent was out of the question. Making friends wasn’t coming easily, and to top it off, I had the roommate situation from hell. These challenges compounded, leaving me feeling isolated and questioning whether I even belonged at the school. The only thing I had going for me was my academics, but that just made me lonelier. What I didn’t know at the time was that someone else on campus was going through nearly the exact same thing. He wasn’t enjoying his college experience, he was struggling financially, and, by some wild coincidence, he also had a terrible roommate situat...