My journey
My Childhood Journey
As a native New Yorker, my family gave me the best childhood I could ever have! My parents, god mother, grandfather, and extended relatives, set the tone for: education, hard work, fun, and creativeness.
And even though, my childhood and youth were explorative and exciting, I faced lots of 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, thin and weak, because I could not eat. But I jumped right back on my bike, returned to school, and start playing with my friends and cousins, as soon as the doctor gave us the green light (to do so).
My mother was a fierce leader regarding my learning and educational career. I went to private and good public schools, and she was always teaching me at home; and every time I left the house to spend the night with my Dad, Granddad, or Godmother, my books went with me. Because of her teachings, I was skipped in kindergarten to the first grade; and was in Gifted classes up until the 8th grade. By the 2nd grade, I was doing 11 homework’s per day, reading the child’s New York Times, in chess clubs, and reading chapter books (like the Witch Lion & the Wardrobe); my math was also above grade level, and my parents never woke me up for school. My mother 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”.
My Professional Values
My professional values were cemented so young, that, when my mother got hurt - in a car accident (when I was in the 8th grade) I was still able to keep up with my work (on my own). 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 in the 8th grade. My parents put me on punishment from Jan to May (per my mother, “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, she told my Dad and my other 3 guardians, to start collecting boxes to pack up – because she was moving me to Atlanta Georgia.
My 8th Grade Graduation & The Move From New York to Atlanta
When I graduated 8th grade in June, we were on a plane by my birthday (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 taking us up. 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 & colors) reach 24 – 30, they tend to be homeowners, have cars in their garage, and are working on their Masters and PhDs. 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, everything is going to be alright. Mom is right by your side – and this is where I’m always going to be - and Dad can call daily, and come to visit you. Make him proud Antonio, your father wants you to do good.
My Highschool Journey
I was miserable in my new school; I did not talk to anybody for 3 months – however, things did change – I 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, “Thank you for everything Mom. I’m a man now, take these clothes and give them to charity”.
My Relocation Back to New York – My College Journey
I flew back to NY, the place that I love so much … with 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 buy a Luxury Jaguar xlm in my 20’s because, as a young man, I liked it! My parents were proud of my hard work, accomplishments, and good taste – because they understood that it was a “man’s thing”. Nonetheless, undenounced to me - yet again, 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 Antonio the wisdom and strength to release that car out of my son’s life. GOD I’m bringing you in remembrance of your word. You said, “plant vineyards first” … that means build a home first.
My Homeownership Journey
My mother prayers came true. It was mad 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 liked and worked hard for – so that they can obtain something even better and more valuable! A home! I said, okay, Mom. Don’t worry, Mom. I then, held her hand, so she could feel comforted (and not worry). I sold my car, because life showed me that it was more of a liability then an asset (for me in my life at that time). Looking back Heinz sight, I’m glad that I did. Months later, I got right back on my financial horse, and started saving for my home!
My Parents Leadership & Encouragement With 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 were going to ask the bankers, what action steps did I need to take towards becoming a homeowner. As, I spoke to the banker, about becoming a homeowner – my Dad presented me with a 6k check towards this goal. And, of course 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! He withdrew that money out his savings for his son to have a better future. When we toasted about it, I recall my Pops saying, “Yeah you’re a good kid, all the best to you, to your future; and hard work does pay off”.
My Homeownership Journey & COVID 19
As I was working hard to save the remaining money for my down payment; out of nowhere; three unprecedented pandemics hit the entire globe at once: COVID – 19, Black Lives Matter, and economic uncertainty! My mother cried, begged, pleaded, texted, prayed and asked me to, “please take a leave of absence or stop working for two weeks until the medical community learned more about COVID. At that time, 750 people was dying a day, in New York City, for months!
When that did not work, my mother called the most five influential people in my life to persuade them to ask 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, pants were soaked, and a small puddle of tears merged out of her eyes – onto the floor - as if someone spilled a glass of water. She cried out so hard for GOD to protect me!
Her emotions and care turned into action; she had my Dad pick up massive bags of food, ppe, food vitamins, natural remedies, lysol …for months, until I had to tell her that I did not need anymore. I was respectful and would let her know how I was doing. As an essential worker, I was on the front lines…while my mother was home safe on lock down. That was a horrible, scary, fearful, time for her and so many others! She would always say to me, you’re a Tiger Antonio, 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. But I never foreseen that you had so much bravery and determination in you.
Being named after Dr, King, took flight …. even in the face of death DR King merged ahead! Now, they were seeing their son, and the global world merge forth, for a greater cause … even as hundreds, were losing their lives every day! 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 so proud of you and your generation … you put down that technology, and raised up off those couches! At this time, she also nicked named me, Mr. Doubles, because I’m always at work, doing doubles. In three months, while in COVID, working doubles, marching in Black Lives Matter Demonstrations, dealing with political and economic uncertainties, I saved the remaining money for my down payment.
I Became A Homeowner in My 20’s, When The Bank Approved 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 am so grateful that my grandfather, parent, and uncle d, was right there with me standing right by my side and believe it or not … my grandmother was there with me too … the highway that led us to the office to conduct my closing that day is called, the Jackie Robinson Highway (wow)!
My 20 Year Old Journey With Buying A Home
Vehicular & Homeowner journey of working hard, learning, and growing as a young man in his 20’s taught me a lot.
I saved and worked hard to become a homeowner in my 20’s, because, for me having a home is an asset. For me, two words.
Lessoned learned!
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GOALS
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GOALS
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GOALS
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GOALS
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Leveraging Success / Business Meeting
I have business meetings with my mother every week, regarding diversifying my financial portfolio. She has done a great job, guiding and encouraging me so far. Her goal for me …. to retire at 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 would like to use my life to inspire and encourage youth and young adult towards educational, financial, and generational wealth. My name, sake was famous for saying, “If I could help somebody along the way”. Yes, sir and dido, Dr. King!
My Homeowners Wish List
My Homeowners Wish List, to further diversify my portfolio,
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. I would like to purchase quality homes and rent them to hard working families, that want to become homeowners. I would deduct $120.00 dollars from their rent, to pay for them to take my Workshops. The Home owner information and workshops will be a part of my tenants Renter Application Process.
I’m Thankful and Prayerful
As I continue to strive for self-independency, self - sufficiency, and look for opportunities to work hard and partner, so that I can fully express who I am, what I am capable of, and what my get-up- and – go - efforts could help me achieve! I would like to thank GOD, my parents, grandfather/grandmother, godmother, uncles and aunt, god fathers, extended family, my friends, Mr. 00 Tech, teachers, tutors, business partners, the ancestors, people that like to get in “good trouble; to my clients and to anyone that I can or have inspired to be a better version of themselves, and to my iconic name’s sake, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr! I would like remain humble, grateful and focused, as I continue to hold on to GOD’s unchanging hands. Let’s all continue to stay prayer for one another, whilst this triple pandemic continues; and as we do what we can to build up our strength and gravitas, to acquire economic equality, human rights and justice. Let’s not be discouraged, because “Anywhere that there are people, there is power”. The power, of good!