Meet Anthony Brock

Hi Anthony, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I, along with my brother Frederick Brock are natives of Montgomery, Alabama. We are the Founders of Valiant Cross Academy. I graduated from Sidney Lanier in 1994. I attended Alabama State University and started my teaching career in 1999. I was employed by the Autauga County school system for 13 years. During that time, I served as a Football Coach at Prattville Junior High, an At-Risk Specialist for the Autauga County Board of Education, Assistant Principal at Prattville Elementary School, and Principal of the Second Chance Alternative School. My most meaningful work through his early years in education was the founder of the Brother2Brother and Sister2Sister Mentoring Program in Autauga County. I was also the last Principal at St. Jude Educational Institute in Montgomery, Alabama, in 2014.

Valiant Cross Academy is the story of listening to the voice of God and moving when he says to move. Valiant Cross Academy is an all-male school that started its first year, in 2015, with sixth grade. Currently, our school serves 6th-12th grades and approximately 200 scholars. Our first graduating class is the class of 2022!

Valiant Cross Academy is a private school with a Christian emphasis on an intentional culture of structure and the development of our young men. The school has distinct uniforms, a practical consequence and award system, and an intense focus on the academic success of our scholars. The educational program consists of smaller class sizes, differentiated instruction, energetic lessons, and a daily morning village service. Since opening in 2015, Valiant Cross Academy has been in local print publications, CNN, WSFA, WAKA, the USA Today, ESPN First Take, and featured in the documentary “Fruit.” I am the co-author with Ricardo Bates and executive director of his film that PBS recently picked up.

God has some important work to do related to our young men. God wants us to stand in the gap to restore young men to their rightful places as leaders and heads of households.

Although he can do it alone, God prefers to use vessels to get his work done. We believe that at Valiant Cross Academy, we are God’s vessels.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My career path has been full of ups and downs, but God has allowed me to be where I am today with consistency and persistence. I left the public school systems and took a leap of faith to become the school leader at Saint Jude Educational Institute in Montgomery. After a very successful year, the school closed its doors. I questioned my decision to leave my job. At that point, I heard God say; you need to look into starting your own school. Fast forward seven years later, I’m thankful I stuck it out.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been an educator since 1999. I specialize in working with African American Young Men. I am the co-founder and head of the school of Montgomery’s first all-male school, Valiant Cross Academy. Our school is set apart because we believe in creating a learning environment where our boys are celebrated, not just tolerated. I am very proud that I had enough courage to take a leap of faith and start my own school.

I am proud to say we have two locations now, a middle school and a high school campus. Both of our schools sit on the historic Selma to Montgomery March trail. Our middle school sets on the historic Dexter Avenue. It is across the street from Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, down the street from the spot where Rosa Parks got on the bus, and up the street from one of the largest former slave markets in the southeast. The street is headed up by our state capital building also.

How do you think about luck?
I actually don’t believe in luck; I believe that God is just extremely faithful. I also think he will take care of those who take care of the “least of them.” Our African American boys are the “least of them.”