Antonio McGinnis Ep. 80 - Where you come from should not define who you become. From growing up in Public Housing to becoming an international basketball star, Tony McGinnis knows that when you are determined to be different, you will overcome. Antonio McGinnis was recently named by AL.com as one of the top 25 Athletes in Butler High History.
Top Takeaways:
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- Deciding to be different by not settling for less but instead striving for the good life has to offer
- If you're a child, inform someone when you're being sexually molested
- The difference you make in a child's life by being more proactive when you notice any sexual abuse against them
- The importance of living up to your integrity in a world where people no longer keep their world
- Understanding that you have to go through hardships so that you can relate and be able to serve
Learn the importance of going back and empowering young people from a tough neighborhood to show them that there's life beyond that.
"For years I struggled with the fact that I had to grow up in public housing. Why did I have to be the one to grow up in this neighborhood? Why couldn't I be in a middle-class family? But it came full circle for me a couple of years ago and it helped me realize that you have to go through things sometimes so you can relate." -Antonio L. McGinnis
He attended Butler High school were in 1991 was named city MVP in basketball and was also awarded first team all-state honors. After graduating from Butler High School in 1991 he went on to attend Texas A&M University where he received a Bachelors of Science degree in Journalism. While attending Texas A&M he was a member of the Men's Basketball team where he lettered four years and in his senior year was selected as a member of the Southwestern Conference All Conference Team. After completing his stay at TAMU he traveled the globe playing professional basketball in Slovenia and Australia.
Tony is the former Head coach of the Oakwood University men's basketball team. In 2012 he led his team to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association championship becoming the third coach in the state of Alabama to win a collegiate national championship in basketball.
His first published book is called "The Game is Deep" and it's geared to help athletes, parents, coaches, and fans deal with the stresses that come with playing basketball. His second book "Life In The Bricks" chronicles his life and his three brothers' as they fought to make it out of one of the toughest public housing communities in Huntsville, Alabama.
Tony is now giving back to his roots serving as Executive Director of the Huntsville Housing Authority. In 2012 he was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club Hall of Fame and in 2013 he was inducted into the Huntsville Madison County Sports Hall of Fame. In 2012 Tony was named Young Professional of The Year by the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce.
Learn the importance of taking responsibility and appropriate action as an adult when you notice a sexually abused child.
Key Moments:
Tony narrates growing up in a tough neighborhood that was crime and drug-infested, and the day he decided to be different by playing college basketball [4:26]
He talks about being sexually molested as a 10-year-old, which led to him becoming sexually active at a very young age and almost getting destroyed by it [6:31]
Tony's contribution to his community by being a good example to young people [10:42]
How public housing is now designed with programs to empower young people to be self-sufficient compared to several years ago [11:42]
The negative effects of social media in the lives of young people today [12:47]
Tony explains what ended his basketball career but withheld his integrity [13:56]
Why raising his family is Tony's greatest success story plus his journey with an autistic son [18:07]
How Tony is ensuring self-sufficiency in the public housing sector within his housing authority [20:00]
The trade jobs that will be available for young people who don't get to college and how Tony is working hard to develop a workforce program that pushes people to work [21:31]
Understanding the Section 3 program in the public housing sector [23:39]
Why Tony is motivated by empowering people to be the best versions of themselves [24:27]
Tony advises young people to choose the life they want by overcoming life's challenges no matter where they come from [26:04]
Giving people an insight into the life of growing up in a public housing neighborhood with his book Life In The Bricks [28:34]
Relevant Links:
Verbal Commits: Antonio McGinnis
Huntsville Athletic Hall of Fame
Antonio Finds a Higher Calling
SHOP for Life in the Bricks Book
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