Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Edwards.
Hi Anthony, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in NYC. I had the typical black kid from the hood dream: Go to the NBA or bust (this ended up costing me later in life). About 15 years ago, my family moved to the A. I went to school for music engineering, trying to get into music producing because I loved music. This is when Atlanta was on the come up of being the music central. I tried to get into the music industry, but after so many run-arounds, so many barriers, and serious losses; I stopped pursuing music, I stopped school, I stopped everything. All I was doing, was just existing. In my early 20s, I thought I knew everything, I didn’t need school and I didn’t need anyone’s help, HAAA nope. After a while, I was extremely lost in life; I didn’t know where I was going and forgot who I was. After some time, in my mid-20s, I decided to go back to school. The funny thing was during that time of “being lost”, I was working with my church’s youth group. I was asked to speak to groups often, especially to young men and women. Little did I know that I was operating in something that I would enjoy. I was mentoring young guys and challenging them. Many of them just needed an ear to listen to them, and I’ve heard some stories…WHEW. I was told so many times that I was able to connect with my peers, but I never took it seriously.
I saw so many teens who were in desperate need of guidance because they were sometimes being led wrong, many were parented by single mothers (No disrespect to single mothers at all). Having a few mothers ask if I can mentor their sons. As time progressed, I started coaching in a youth sports program, football and basketball. It was amazing to see how many kids just needed a man to give them some positive words and some guidance. Doing youth sports, the worst thing was watching parents try to live or relive their former glory days through their child by putting ponderous pressure and hopes on a child’s shoulders to make it to the NBA or NFL. These kids are incredibly too young to have that kind of pressure, it takes the fun out of it for them. I also started to see more things happening within society that I just couldn’t sit back, chill and hope that someone else will take care of it. I had to do something; even if it was small. In February 2019, I started my independent show, Keeping The Towel. After four years, it’s been an amazing journey speaking with so many people, and more to come. I’ve also noticed that people needed some type of hope and practical solution to stay in this fight called, LIFE. The show can be heard on all listening platforms.
Currently, I go around to JHS, HS, colleges, youth groups, and speak to scholars about mental toughness and the importance of resilience to be an improved version of themselves. So many scholars are giving up or drifting in life, and I know what it’s like to be that person. I don’t want to see any more scholars move through life as I once did, like a zombie with no direction. I didn’t care if I failed every class year after year, and it came with consequences that I had to deal with later in my life, and I wouldn’t want any young person to do that to themselves. I feel that part of the reason that both young people and adults are lost, due to the plethora of distractions easily available to us. It’s crazy how many distractions these kids, well, society as a whole, have now. Before, it was just TV for me growing up. But it’s amazing how this little device can capture a person’s attention for 30 mins easily and become the biggest distraction in their life. That’s one of my episodes, ‘Your distraction is bigger than your goals’.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Oh, definitely not; as mentioned, I had to deal with barriers and plenty of setbacks, some were self-inflicted. Losing friends and loved ones along the way. One challenge I remember, years ago when I was saving some money to buy some recording equipment, and one night our house was robbed, and every dollar that I saved was all gone. I was crushed. I didn’t put it in the bank because I knew that I was going to spend it frivolously. Another moment, I remember when I was at my lowest state, all I had in my pocket was $5, and I needed gas. I was at the pump with tears in my eyes pumping what little gas I could get. Two stoplights later, my car was beeping for gas again, my faith was seriously tested during those two and a half years. It just seemed as if nothing could go right.
Another challenge I had, when I started my podcast, I got laughed at, questioned, derided. I almost quitted before I truly got started.
As of now, a challenge that I often deal with, whenever I call schools to speak with administrators, principals, or teachers of wanting to serve through my services. Of course, when a man’s voice is heard on the other end, all antennas are up, wondering who’s this guy. I have no problem explaining to them how I can serve. Some are accepting, others are not, but I don’t let that discourage me from my mission. For the many declines I’ve gotten, there’s a YES somewhere coming.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a speaker and part of my work is connecting with people, meeting them where they are emotionally and mentally. Rekindling that fire for life and purpose within them which they may have lost.
I’m a podcaster, and I have a YouTube channel, @Keepingthetowel. I help give students and educators tools and advice to get through rough moments in their lives.
I’m known as the guy with the towel.
One goal of mine is to go around the nation and make an impact on some young scholars’ lives and then go around the world to help change some more people’s lives. It may not be everyone, but if it’s just a few, I’m good with that.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Social interaction was taken for granted. The worst from COVID I watched was seeing people be greedy and extremely selfish. But at the same time, the best was seeing people looking out for their fellow neighbor. And more importantly, understanding the importance of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ikeptmytowel.com
- Instagram: @iamantboogie3000
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/mranthony-edwards
- Twitter: @antboogie3000
- Youtube: @Keepingthetowel
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ant-boogie3000
Image Credits
Photos by: Funmi Foster Out The Frame photography https://www.outtheframe.co/
