We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Antwan Perry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Antwan, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

For those of us who have the opportunity to pursue higher education, many times, it seems that our paths are chosen for us. We go to college, pick a major, and depending on what we are studying, we choose a career path, internship, or advanced degree based on that particular major. It many ways, once you choose a major you are creating a specific path.

But what happens when what you planned at 20 changes when you are 30, or 40, 0r 50? For my parents and others in their generation, you tough it out, perhaps complain, but you just do what you have to do. I can vividly remember my mom telling me that work is not to be enjoyed, it is to provide. And while I appreciate what my mom did for my sister and I, and the way she provided, I knew that was not the path I was on.

I majored in Political Science, because I wanted to go into law. That quickly changed, and after college I worked in insurance and ultimately found my way to education. I loved it, and I enjoyed the impact I was having, but after talking to others and relocating to the Washington D.C. area, I realized education was more than students, classroom and homework.

One day I had a conversation with a friend who told me one of our former colleagues was working in education policy. I thought, what is that? I did some research and I was sold on that being an area I believed I could contribute a great deal to; The problem was; however, I didn’t anything about policy. I hadn’t attended a special school for any policy certifications, I hadn’t been connected to Washington insiders, and I didn’t know all of the policy terminology and vernacular.

What I did have was ideas, and I thought, who better than me to help shape policy for others like myself who benefit or suffer from the policies that are made in Washington.

So, I took a risk. I applied for a role. In the past I would have psyched myself out, or not applied because I didn’t think I was experienced or qualified. But, what if I was? Or better yet, what makes a good policy leader? Is it certificates and classes, or experiences? Also, I had no idea what the hiring manger was looking for. That was a big lesson; never count yourself out, EVER!

To make a long story less long, I got the job and I was great in it. I helped to make decisions that have benefited hundreds of thousands across the country, and it has allowed me to serve as a consultant and professor based on that one decision to take a risk to see what might happen. It has changed the course of my professional path forever.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a first generation college student who was the first in my family to graduate college. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and my Master of Arts and Doctor of Education degrees are both in Higher Education. I am also a graduate of one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and have worked in higher education at the 4 year level as well as community college level.

While most of my professional experience has been in higher education, I have also worked for large school districts as well. Over the past few years; however, I have worked in education policy.

Working in policy has been life changing, it has resulting in me speaking at conferences and meetings all over the country, has allowed me to teach at universities, and has allowed me to serve as an educational consultant providing my expertise to small groups as well as large organizations.

My path in education got started many years ago when I was hired as a long-term substitute teacher in Hampton Roads, VA where I am from, The rest, as they say, is history!

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

While my “main job” is in education, I am also a professional storyteller, and even belong to a few storytelling organizations. While I previously mentioned that my first job in education, on my first day at the school I met my father who worked at the school as a custodian.

That was a challenging year, because I did not grow up with him in my life; however, rather than let that stop me or refuse to take the position, it only caused me to work harder for the students and families I was supporting. I got through that year and developed a cordial relationship with him that year which was a true test of resilience.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson that I have had to unlearn is to never judge. Not only should we not judge a book by its cover, but even when you know what is inside the book one should never judge. The year I taught at the school where I met my father, some friends and family told me that I was teaching at one of the “worst” schools in the city. What I experienced however is that the students in that school were some of the smartest in the city and state!

I learned that even if someone has less or has different experiences, as people, we are generally the same. We have the same desires and dreams. That is a lesson I take with me everywhere.