Daily Inspiration: Meet Anthony Freeman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Freeman.

Hi Anthony, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
After briefly experiencing homelessness myself, out in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I met the Founder of the Who I Am Foundation, Keith Collier. He gave me a place to live and presented me with the opportunity to volunteer with his non-profit organization. While I was homeless, it gave me the opportunity to recalibrate my perspective on life, while also listening to the stories of others. I promised myself that when I was back in a position to help others, I would.

When Keith brought me aboard, it gave me the opportunity to hold myself to this promise. I went from homeless to the Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of a non-profit organization within three months. I held these positions for six years, before being promoted to President. I have now been with the organization for ten years, helping to expand our outreach into multiple cities and states, while also increasing the various avenues of outreach we provide to communities, and continually building our teams of volunteers. My purpose found me in my darkest times and fueled a passion within me that I never knew I had.

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?
It has not been a smooth road, that’s for sure. From experiencing homelessness myself, to dealing with some unscrupulous and disgruntled former volunteers. One of our biggest challenges, however, is the lack of funding. We don’t fundraise, which certainly adds to that challenge.

But despite the lack of funding, our organization has conducted an outreach project or community event every week since 2014, in one city/state or another. We do what we can with what we have. Thriving off tangible donations, and the selfless compassion and dedication of our volunteers.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Aside from running the Who I Am Foundation, I am also an aspiring author. I have written eight books, and I’m currently working on my ninth book. I haven’t released any of my books, as I have a plan for them and the reason behind holding off. I have actually received a couple of publishing offers, which I have respectfully declined, in order to self-publish. The purpose of self-publishing is that once released, half of the proceeds from my books will go to the Who I Am Foundation to assist our efforts in the community; and the other half will go to a national writing contest for high school seniors that I’m going to create, in which the winners will receive help with their college books and supplies. What most people know me for, if not Who I Am Foundation, is how I dress. I take a lot of pride in my wardrobe and attire. There have been countless times in which I’ll be somewhere and somebody who follows my social media will ask me what socks I’m wearing that day. As my socks have become a signature of mine.

I’m beyond proud and grateful for our amazing volunteers. Past, present, and future. All credit goes to them, as our volunteers are truly the fuel of our organization. Without them, none of what we have done through the years would’ve been possible. I’m also grateful for a good friend of mine, Crisco Kidd, who keeps me motivated and grounded. I not only see myself as a friend but also as a mentor and somebody I look up to.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lessons I’ve learned along this journey called life would be consistency, perseverance, and the ability to pivot. While it is important to set a goal, we have to realize that sometimes life happens and unforeseen obstacles may prevent certain goals from being attained in the ways we envision. By being able to pivot, we were able to withstand the pandemic, while most in our field either had to scale back or shut their doors completely.

Consistency is everything with anything. I’ve learned that it’s not about the quantity in which we help, but the quality. Even with our community clean-ups, by going out consistently we have been able to clean up a lot of neighborhoods and parks. One project at a time, one hour at a time. Persevering through the obstacles has allowed me to continually provide an impact to an average of 20,000 people per year, in multiple cities and states, as opposed to giving up when times got tough.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.WhoIAmFoundation.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/misterwrite1
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MrWrite1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whoiamfoundationpresident/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/Mister_Write1

Image Credits
D.Tillery Photography