Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anthony L. Robinson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Anthony L., thanks for joining us today. Have you ever had an amazing boss, mentor or leader leading you? Can you us a story or anecdote that helps illustrate why this person was such a great leader and the impact they had on you or their team?

The best boss I had was my family. While in high school my grandfather started a local janitorial service, and he allowed me to work within the business throughout high school. This job was an opportunity for me to develop work ethnics and understand responsible.. My grandfather My grandfather held my accountable while working and I continue to practice those ethnics today. Be kind and polite to everyone.

Upon entering college my Uncle Harry Long took over the business, and the company begin to grow into Statewide business with over 125 employees through the state of Florida. My uncle taught me how to be a professional, he exposed me to the corporate world, he allowed me to make mistakes, but learn from them, he encouraged me to be a visionary, think outside the box and be creative in how you operate. He encouraged me to read and practice the models and concepts I was reading about. He gave me a opportunity and he continues to support me in my efforts.

Although these two individuals are family they were by best boss. They have contributed tremendously to me being the father and business man I am today.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Anthony L. Robison is the Executive Director of the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition. Anthony does his best to live by the quote, “If you give a person a fish they will eat for today, If you teach them how to fish they can eat for a lifetime, but if you teach them how to own the pond, they can feed generations.” Therefore, Workforce Development is Economic Development.

Anthony is a God-fearing and professional individual who was raised under the Seventh-Day Adventist doctrine and continues to practice the beliefs of the Seventh-Day Adventist faith. Anthony is a product of both a private- and a public-school education. Attending Miami Union Academy of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches until junior high school, he grasped a strong educational foundation which allowed him to continue the family tradition of attending a Historic Black College & University. Anthony attended Savannah State University to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice. Upon the tragic killing of his only brother and his best friend while in school, Anthony left Savannah State University and enrolled in and graduated from Athens State University in Athens, Alabama with a degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. The killing of his brother fueled Anthony’s mission to graduate from college and has become his driving purpose behind the work he does.

Anthony L. Robinson has over 21 years of youth and adult workforce development experience. He started his workforce experience in the Miami Gardens community he was raised. His brother’s senseless killing fueled his commitment to helping youth to help themselves through the Miami Job Corps Center. As he progressed throughout the ranks and became the State Outreach and Admissions Coordinator for Job Corps and the Programs and Social Development Director for the Miami Center which allowed him to implement strategies and system, change the culture within the center, and to instill encouragement and hope into their beliefs of being a successful and productive citizen in society.

Upon spending twelve years at the Miami Job Corps Center, and some time in West Virginia, Anthony relocated to Jacksonville, FL and Gainesville, Fl. to lead those centers in providing quality career technical training opportunities to the youth throughout the Southeast United States. Through these experiences and strong belief in our youth, Anthony was selected by the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles under the leadership of Mrs. Faye Washington to serve as the Deputy Center Director of the Los Angeles Job Corps Center.

Anthony believed and still believes everyone has a skillset within them to be all they chose to be. It is our mission to get them to see it and believe, so they can achieve it. Throughout Anthony’s time within this space, he has touched the lives of over 10,000 youth. His brand within this space is taking our youth out of their comfort zone and placing them in positions and spaces that will push their comfort level and exposure them to opportunities others state are beyond their imagination. As long as Anthony has breath in him, he will continue to move the finish line and push the youth to build confidence and succeed when others do not believe in them.

Anthony, believes that all individuals should have an opportunity to long-term and meaningful career opportunities, and his passion for this work has placed him in position to work and provide workforce development education to the returning citizen, marginalized and underserve population. His mission with this population remained consistent. Push them beyond their comfort level and they will achieve beyond their imagination.

Throughout the many years of working in this space, Anthony has practiced a collective impact model, and currently, he is leading the Overtown Community in becoming a collective community. A community where there are no silos, a community where resources are shared, and a community where the residents are considered stakeholders and their voices are amplified, and a community where everyone will have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The collective impact approach requires multiple organization to abandon individual agendas in favor of a common agenda for the benefit of the community.

Having a common Agenda
Shared Measurements
Mutuality Reinforcing Activities
Continuous Communications
Backbone Support

As the Executive Director of the Overtown Children and Youth Coalition they will always have a commitment to this approach. This appointment is what Anthony is most proud of in his life and where he plans to leave his legacy. This appointment allows Anthony to sit at the head of the table and to implement the change the community havs been asking for over the past few decades.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Upon starting my career in youth workforce development, I wanted the position as a Director within a corporate 500 firm. I was not interested in the not-for-profit sector, and after several attempts to leave the not-for-profit space, I received an anointing that stated, having a career within a corporate 500 firm is a passion you have, but working in this not-for-profit space is what I have called you to do. Thus, in September of 2001, I embraced my calling and my life and the lives of so many others have changed.

Embracing my calling was the starting point for me to believe in everyone, to know there is a skillset in everyone, we just have to assist them in puling it out., to never give up, and to always know what God has for you, it is for you.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

To believe in yourself when you are alone and you are attempting to motivate yourself is one thing. But to demonstrate you have the ability to execute that belief is far from the same. Anthony’s Resilience Story is he had to pack his bags and move across the country from Gainesville, Florida to Los Angeles, California. The story starts with Anthony transitioning from a state-of-the-art Job Corps Centers in Miami and Jacksonville, Florida to an old cinderblock-framed Job Corps center in Gainesville. Upon arriving in Gainesville, he quickly realize why Gainesville is referred to as the swamp. Alligators would frequently visit the center and when walking to the dorms you would need an umbrella because snakes often fell out of the trees. This was a culture he was not used to, So after six months in Gainesville, he relocated to Los Angeles to take a Director position with the Los Angeles Job Corps Center. He resided in Los Angeles for 5 years.

During his time in Los Angeles, Anthony realized his resilience. He moved to Los Angeles with only two suitcases and a job. No family, friends, or support. Nevertheless, understanding his calling, he never looked back, and within three months of being in Los Angeles the Job Corps team started to believe in him and within his first year, this newcomer to the city developed partnerships with the local corporation, county and city government, and the local school district.

Anthony said believing in himself and never forgetting what he was called to do is what allowed his resilience to carry him to a successful directorship in Los Angeles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://overtowncyc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/overtowncyc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Overtowncyc1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/overtown-children-and-youth-coalition/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/overtowncyc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@overtowncyc5022

Image Credits
Lakeisha Nicole; OCYC staff