The Anthony Reeves Experience

Someone recently asked me what motivated or inspired me to join the military. It was a profound question that made me pause and reflect. No one had ever asked me that before, and truthfully, I’d never taken the time to consider what drew me to military service. If I’m honest, the answer lies in the people I admired most while growing up. As an only child raised in a single-parent household, I was fortunate to be surrounded by strong, positive Black men—many of whom had served in the military. What stands out is that none of them ever pushed me to serve. They didn’t tell war stories, wear their service as a badge of honor, or suggest I follow in their footsteps. Yet, their quiet example spoke volumes. My dad’s brother served in Vietnam. My grandfather fought in World War II, enduring the Battle of the Bulge. Four of my uncles on my mother’s side served across various branches of the military. While none of them openly discussed their time in service, their presence and legacy were un...

Sometimes life’s greatest journeys begin with a leap outside your comfort zone, even if you don’t realize it at the time. When I think back on my college experience, my mind always drifts to August 1987. Fresh out of high school, I was preparing to leave Pine Bluff, Arkansas—a small, deeply Southern town—for the University of Tampa in Florida. Being the only son of a single mother, this was a monumental moment for both of us. My mother, as any parent would, was ready to send me off in style, planning to fly me out and savor the bittersweet moment of watching her son take flight, literally and figuratively, into adulthood. But then, plans took a surprising turn. My friend John, a white classmate I’d known for years, was also headed to the University of Tampa. John and I shared a history—we attended the same junior high and high school, and his baby sister had even been a student in my mother’s kindergarten class. His family and mine knew each other well. John had one problem: he...

I’ve shared this story before, but it feels more relevant than ever as people grapple with what it means to be an ally. Many consider themselves allies in the struggle for racial equality. Yet, as a Black man who grew up in the rural South, I’ve learned that being an ally requires more than just avoiding harmful words or actions—it means actively standing up against injustice. One experience from my childhood remains a powerful example of allyship. I was about 8 years old, playing with several friends at another child’s house. I was the only Black kid there, and we were having a great time on his trampoline. The only adult around was his grandfather, who suddenly instructed his grandson to tell me to get off the trampoline. Then, he insisted I leave the yard altogether. Confused but respectful, I left without knowing why I was singled out. On my way home, one of my friend’s mothers, whom I’ll call “Mrs. Smith,” noticed me walking alone and asked why. After I explained what had happened...

Sometimes, the most profound lessons in leadership come when you least expect them. During my three years of training in my college ROTC unit, I tended to have a bit of a rebellious streak. I had some prior training from my time in the Army Reserves, and I was often resistant to conducting myself in a way that seemed designed to curry favor with my command. I wasn’t insubordinate—I simply believed that I was a leader in my own right and didn’t need to fit a specific mold. My real growth as a leader came between my junior and senior years during a 5.5-week evaluation event known as Advanced Camp at Fort Riley. This training was designed to test our leadership abilities under a variety of challenging scenarios. We were thrown into intense situations requiring both individual performance and leadership in small and large groups. To my surprise, I found myself making a series of crucial leadership mistakes. Yet, these mistakes became some of the greatest learning opportunities I’d eve...

“Segregation of white and colored children in public schools has a detrimental effect upon the colored children. The impact is greater when it has the sanction of the law, for the policy of separating the races is usually interpreted as denoting the inferiority of the Negro group.” These powerful words were penned by Chief Justice Warren in the Supreme Court’s historic decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Most Americans recognize this ruling as the seminal case that dismantled the “separate but equal” doctrine, shaping the civil rights landscape of the United States post-Civil War. In legal circles, it’s considered a “super precedent,” a foundational decision since 1954, hailed for advancing the fight against segregation. But there’s a darker side to the application of this ruling. While Brown v. Board aimed to dismantle segregation, the implementation and interpretation of the decision sometimes produced harmful consequences. One often-overlooked aspect is how some local, county, ...

As Election Day approaches, it’s crucial to understand the historical significance of this moment. I’m not here to tell you who to vote for. It doesn’t matter if you’re Independent, Green, Democrat, or Republican. It doesn’t matter if you’re liberal or conservative. And it doesn’t matter what your specific values are. What truly matters is that there are people in this country who believe certain individuals shouldn’t be allowed to vote. I’m not referring to legitimate concerns about eligibility. This goes beyond that. Some segments of our population are determined to stop legally eligible citizens from voting. They are committed to: 1) preventing access to voting, 2) restricting the ability to vote, and 3) invalidating votes cast legitimately. As a member of Generation X who grew up hearing firsthand accounts from the Civil Rights Movement, I understand what it means to come from a group of people who were once targeted for simply exercising their right to vote. If you think such acti...

When I was in high school and college, no one ever talked to me about the importance of joining an organization. In high school, I was involved in five or six different organizations on campus, as well as a few off campus. When I got to college, I continued the same trend, joining another five or six organizations, whether professional or personal in nature. Yet, at no point did anyone explain why it was important to be part of an organization. Most of the organizations I joined were made up of people who shared similar interests, goals, or desires. Looking back, I may not remember every detail of what those organizations did, but I can recall the meaningful impact they had on me. As an adult, I’ve been a member of various organizations, and the experience feels much the same. People often ask what benefit I get from these groups, and I’ve realized the benefit is often personal. For example, when I was a member of a local Rotary Club, it wasn’t just about the organization itself bu...