The Anthony Reeves Experience

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...