My journey
As a native New Yorker, my family gave me the best childhood I could ever have!
My parents, grandfather, and extended relatives, set the tone for
education, hard work, fun, creativeness, and family bonds.
Even though, my childhood and youth were explorative and exciting, I faced challenges and heart brakes too. In the second grade, I had to have a major surgery – the surgery was successful. However, I caught a bad fever and had to return to the hospital. My mother prayed so hard, and GOD helped me to get better. I left that hospital, a little weak, because I could not eat everything. But I jumped right back on my bike, returned to school, went to church, and started playing with my friends and cousins, as soon as my doctor gave me the green light (to do so).
My mother was a fierce leader regarding my learning and educational career; my Dad, a hard-working bread winner, that had our backs! I attended private and good public schools. However, my mother was my first and constant teacher. She was always teaching me at home and every time I left the house to spend the night with my Dad or Grandfather, my books went with me. Because of her teachings, I was skipped in kindergarten to the first grade; and was in Gifted classes throughout! By the 2nd grade, I was completing 11 homework’s per day, devising research reports, reading the child’s New York Times, winning in chess clubs, and reading chapter books (like the Witch Lion & the Wardrobe). My math was 2x above grade level, and my parents never woke me up for school. In the 2nd grade my parents brought me an alarm clock, showed me how to set it, and told me it was my “Responsibility to get up – and be on time for school”. Since, 2nd grade, it's been me and my alarm clock ever since. I still got parental love in the morning and good breakfasts, but I learned, early on, how to get up and get out the door on time!
My Professional Values Was Cemented By 2nd Grade!
My professional values were cemented at a very young, so, I was able to keep up with my work independently. At this time in my life, my grades did begin to suffer. I began, to get distracted with my friends – which is common in the 8th grade. Playing and talking, caused me to fail, three classes. My parents put me on punishment from January to May. Per my mother, “Beloved son Antonio you will remain on punishment until you graduate out of the 8th grade, your education is nothing to play around with”. Not, only was she serious, UNDENOUNCED to me, my mother started praying for a better life for me. "GOD please make away for us to help our son be a well-rounded person and independent businessman. We only have 4 more years until he turns 18". She encouraged my Dad/Granddad and 3 guardians, to start collecting boxes and find out about U-Haul rates. Her plan, to pack up and relocate us to Atlanta Georgia; as soon as I walked down the aisle and graduated.
My 8th Grade Graduation & The Move From New York to Atlanta!
When I graduated 8th grade in June, we were on a plane early July! When we boarded the plane, I said, “Mom where are we going?”. “Antonio, we are moving to Atlanta. You see how this plane is ascending? That’s the direction, we want your life to go. You are not going to be a child forever. In, Atlanta, when kids (of all ages and ethnicities) reach 24 – 30, they tend to be homeowners, have cars in their garage, and working to obtaining their Masters/PhDs and businesses. This is what you need to see and experience for yourself, the business side of life. You have plenty of family and cousins to play with down there, and you will make new friends. Trust Mommy, everything is going to be alright. Mom is right by your side – and this is where I’m always going to be! Your Dad & Granddad will call you daily, come to visit you, and you can return to New York, on holidays and summers. Make them proud Antonio, they want you to do good. Your a great kid, and as you grow you will see that GOD has a great purpose and plan for your life. We hugged ... I ate my favorite food on the plane ... and played with my cousins and (new) friends .... all summer!
My Highschool Journey!
I was miserable at my new school. I did not talk to anybody for 3 months. However, things did change. I hung out with my family, god siblings, made life-long friends, graduated High School on time, and went to my prom with the Queen of our High School! That weekend of my graduation, I kissed my mom, and said, “I love you Mom and thank you for everything". I’m a man now, so take these "Bling-Bling" clothes and give them to charity”. I will call you as soon as we touch down in New York City!
My Relocation Back to New York / My College Journey!
Two days after my graduation, I flew back to New York City, the place that I love so much, with my Dad, cousin, and male family members! I was on a mission! I began my college life that September, and after two years, I saw that it was not for me. I dis-enrolled from college and started interviewing for jobs.
My Job & Jaguar Journey!
I landed two jobs and saved my money to do independent things: open a bank account, saved money, shopped, furnished my room and brought a Luxury XLM Jaguar. My parents were proud of my hard work, and accomplishments, and my good taste, of purchasing a luxury car, my 1st Jag. They understood that it was a “man’s thing”. Nonetheless, and UNDENOUNCED to me, my mother was praying on her knees for GOD to remove my Luxury Jag out of my life! "GOD I stand over proverbs, my favorite book of wisdom, the book that I reared Antonio from". Please give our son Antonio the wisdom and strength to release that car out of his life. GOD I’m bringing you in remembrance of your word. You said, “plant vineyards first” … that means build a home first. Please help him to become a homeowner first, then he can buy another car if he likes,
My Homeownership Journey!
My mother prayers came true. It was "crazy hurtful to give up my car". However, my mother was there to comfort me and usher in a new vision. “Homeownership, is something that GOD said, we should put “first”! She went on, to say, “Antonio, you work so hard, please focus on this goal. You should have assets in your life that show the determination and meaning of your hard work. You’re an African American man – who we named after a great man, Dr Martin Luther King Jr. What you do in your life, should not just be about what you want. It should be about empowering yourself and others; about being a role model to others; about building generational wealth for yourself - my grandchildren – your children and future wife. It takes a strong man to give up something they worked hard for – so that they can obtain something even better and more valuable! A home! I said, "okay, Mom, don’t worry". I took my mother's hand and comforted her so she would not worry. I sold my car, because life showed me that at that time, it became more of a liability then an asset. Months later, I got right back on my financial horse and started saving for the down payment!
My Parents Leadership & Encouragement
Towards My Homeownership Journey!
Two months later, my parents told me they were going to meet me, at my bank branch, near my job. They told me "We made an appointment to meet with your bankers, to learn about what action steps is needed towards you becoming a 1st time Homeowner!" As, I spoke to the banker, about becoming a homeowner – UNDENOUNCED - my Dad presented me with a 6-thousand-dollar check towards becoming a 1st time homeowner! And yes , UNDENOUNCED to me – you guessed it - my mother arranged that blessing and family moment too! She discussed the idea with my Dad and he jumped right on board! The next day, they met up and my Dad signed up to withdraw the money out his 401k Savings Account; so that his son and grandchildren could have a sustainable future! When we toasted about it, I recall my Pops saying, “Yes I agree with your mother, you’re a good kid! All the best to you and your future son; and never forget that hard work does pay off”. Cheers!
My Homeownership Journey & COVID 19!
As I was working diligently to save the remaining money for my down payment; three unprecedented pandemics hit (the entire globe) at once: COVID – 19, Black Lives Matter, and economic uncertainty! Like millions of Americans my mother cried, begged, pleaded, texted, prayed and asked me to, “Please stop working until the medical community learned more about COVID". At that time, people around the world was dying. In New York City 750 people monthly!
When my concerned mother could not convince me to stop working, she called the five most influential people in my life to help persuade me (to stop working)! When that failed, she literally crumbled to her knees, crying so hard out to GOD for my safety (her only son). She said, she "Wept so hard that her entire shirt and pants were soaked and a small puddle of tears fell to the floor - as if someone spilled a glass of water. She cried out so hard for GOD to protect me!" And HE did! Not only did GOD protect me and us, HE helped us thrive in the pandemic!
During COVID my parents converted their emotions into action! Due to me being an Essential Worker, they brought me any and everything that they felt would protect their hard-working son: massive bags of food, PPE, vitamins, natural remedies, and Lysol (which was $20 dollars a can back then). They continued the stated until the pandemic subsided. As an essential worker, I was on the front lines … while my mother and family was home safe on lock down. It was a horrible, scary, fearful, time for the world! She would always say to me, "Antonio you’re a Tiger, its nothing you can’t accomplish!" You’re learning about who you are as you grow into your manhood! As your mother I already know what you are capable of because Iyou were reared you with a specific intent. But I never, ever, foreseen that you had so much bravery and determination in you. GOD has advanced you from a Tiger into a (true) Warrior Lion!
Naming you after Dr. King, is taking flight right in front of my eyes! Even in the face of death ... Dr. King forged ahead!" Now, you, our precious son, is merging ahead, without hesitation, to help others, while hundreds are losing their lives every day in the pandemic! My mind is just blown away - with the man I am looking at today! Let's stay in prayer! I was careful, with my PPE, but I never stopped working. I did not cancel my vacation to Costa Rico, and I was present at the rally’s! My mother put it in GOD’s hands – she stayed in prayer – she checked on me often - and kept her sense of humor. She said, Dr. King would be extremely proud of you and your generation. It took a pandemic for you guys to put down your technology and raise up off those couches! At this time, she also nicked named me, Mr. Doubles, because I was always at work, doing doubles. In three months, while in COVID, working doubles as an Essential Worker, participating in BLM Demonstrations, and dealing with political and economic uncertainties; I saved the remaining money for my down payment towards becoming a 1st Time Homeowner!
I Became A Homeowner in My 20’s
The Bank Approved My Loan & I Closed On My 1st Home!
I approached a bank with my professional information, and they approved me. I closed on my first home! I was so grateful that my Grandfather, Parents, Uncle D, and Big B, was right there with me standing right by my side, every step of the way! Losing my beloved grandfather shortly after remains a great challenge. However, he left us a great legacy that we are dedicated to carrying on! UNDENOUNCED to any of us, we did not know that my beautiful, beloved, Grandmother, would also be there (in spirit), with my parents, and I, on the day that I closed on my first home. The directions that we were given to the signing office was surreal! The name of the highway that took us all the way to our destination, is called, The Jackie Robinson Highway; that's my Grandmother's name!
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Wow, Wont He Do it!
My 20 Year Old Journey With Buying A Jag & Home!
My Vehicular & Homeowner Journey of working hard, learning, and growing as a young man in my 20’s taught me a lot. I gave up my Jag and then saved and worked hard to become a Homeowner in my 20’s; during a deadly pandemic. If I could sum up my 20's in four words: Heart breaking, impactful-leadership, family resiliency and legacy accomplishments!
Leveraging Success!
As a family we have business meeting often. My parents goal ... for their son to retire by 50 …. like my grandfather! I’m in agreement with that goal! I don’t want to work for someone all my life. I want to be the boss and leader in my life. I want the option of early retirement. I want to use my life to inspire and encourage young adults to focus on the unknown "their future". My name sake, Dr. King, was famous for saying, “If I could help somebody along the way!” Say less, at MMM-BIB, we echo his iconic statements and legacy core values.
My Homeowners Wish List!
Utilize our MMM platform, products, and services to assist young adults
to become Young Homeowners, who make financially sound decisions!
My Homeowners Legacy!
I want to be able to leave my wife, children, and grandchildren, businesses and real estate property so they will have a permanent roof over their head, revolving equity, and fixed rated monthly mortgages. For my tenants, if they have child/ren we would ask permission to give their child/ren our impactful MMM-BIB partnership items for free, and also encourage them to enroll their child/ren in our MMMM, Young Homeownership Workshops! The abovementioned would be a part of my tenants move in amenities and Renter Application Process.
I’m Thankful and Prayerful!
As I continue to strive for self-independency and look for opportunities to work hard and partner, so that I can fully express who I am and what I am capable of! I would like to thank GOD, my ancestors, elders, grand dad, parents, uncles and aunts, god dad / mom, extended family, my friends, Mr. 00 Tech, teachers, tutors, business partners, my valued clients and customers; anyone that I have and will inspire; and lastly to my iconic name’s sake, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr! I would like to remain humble, grateful and focused, as I continue to hold on to GOD’s love, wisdom, and unchanging hands. Let’s all continue to stay in prayer for one another, because, “Anywhere there are people, there is power”. The power, of good!
My Childhood Journey!