I relate to this on a spiritual level. I’m from the projects and my parents have done everything to ensure my brother and I don’t fall in the bad group. I’m currently studying computer networking and science in college. If you believe you can achieve! Women in STEM!!!
Man I'm not always a fan of Buzzfeed, but the way the presented this guys story was handled really well. Props to them for letting him tell it how he wanted to and for including his experience with faith and God and not cutting that out. It's a part of his story that I think a lot of others could relate to who are from similar backgrounds
this is very inspirational. it’s nice to see someone from humble beginnings make it. im from flint- a similar city with similar experiences. i hope i get to tell a success story like him one day. *knocks on wood so i dont jinx myself*
Tieia Middleton actually there is was a guy from my school i live in south central L.A. John C. Fremont high school and he went on to go to Harvard so that is more proof that anyone can make it, it doesnt matter were you are from, only your hard work and determination matter
Awesome story Anthony! My dad is from LA, and we now live in Omaha. He grew up during the LA riots and experienced some of the same things you did as a child. I love that your story is going full circle and now inspiring so many people! Much love for you and for everyone who is giving back and lifting everyone up. #YouInspireMe
Ha! I also was born and raised in LA and now live in Omaha. Yea Compton life in 80's~90's was hard and I'm glad you uplifted yourself and made it out. Anyone can do this Anthony!
Thank you for sharing this, on multiple levels I can relate to what you're saying. I am currently going through that phase of doubt as you were. I talked myself out of it, but it comes back. The thing is, hearing you speak to the same issues helps me to understand that this thing I am going through is really not limited to just me, and I can get through this. thank you again. much blessings, all the best. let your church family pray for me also please. be blessed
I live in Compton right now and I drive 30 minutes to my school in Torrance so I could get a better education,my mom works 12 hours a day to provide for me and my 2 brothers and my sister
man, I felt the same thing when I started out in uni for comp sci - it's hard not to compare yourself and your background to the other students but at the end of the day the effort you put in on your own and your work ethic will make you shine
This video deserves a lot more views. This chap's journey is so important and essential to show other people if you want it you can get it. Even if you don't believe someone else will to push you forward to be your best self.
I lived just outside Compton before I had to go through there all the time to get to work I think the Mayor is doing a great job there now, also cops will tell you it's Watts and Lynwood where more of the issues are now. Compton has a rep because of the 80's/90's but I'm not sure it's quite the same anymore.
Really? I'm not familiar with Salina's, but I could see it I think between gentrification and general demo changes around LA certain cities have changed, I also know the Mayor's since 2009 in Compton have worked hard to try to shed that persona of it being a violent place to be.
This made me tear up because he reminds me so much of me and how my friends tell me i'm smart, but i tend to compare myself to others and that makes me feel like i'll never be good enough or smart enough and this was so so inspiring and i hope i get to meet him some day
This is so inspirational to me because I’m a black FEMALE currently studying Computer Science! Google visited my campus & I fell in love with the company! I made it my goal to work at Google one day 💕
Slaire Awesome lmao you wish it was that easy. Google doesn’t hire people simply because they’re black or female or whatever. The people they hire have an exceptional and outstanding skill and talent for what they do. Being black/female/etc is just another factor, not THE factor.
Cassielf ikonic but now companies have to fill a diversity quota, so if there is an equal skill level between two applicants, and one is a minority, they will be picked.
CAMS c/o '01!!!...its crazy to see this and to know that he felt like an imposter too...I wish I would have known that...this was inspirational in a very personal way for me...Great Job Penny
This is by far my favorite video you’ve guys have done. I have grew up and still live in Compton to this day and I relate to this so much. Being a gay man/drag queen living in Compton was rough but through all the hardships I had to deal with made me want to strive and still work on making something with my life. To show people that if you believe you can do whatever you want no matter where you’re from. Yeah Compton has its bad reps and a lot are true, but it’s seriously not the worse place to live and grow up. It’s made me a stronger individual. This just makes me so happy to see a story on this like honestly it warms my heart.
So proud to work with Anthony and see all the great things he does like, touring and educating inner city youth. Along with teaching college students how to properly prepare and thus interview for tech positions. Dude is a legend.
The amount of happiness I feel for this guy right now, is indescribable. Amazed and greatful there are people like him in the world, paving the way for others to be inspired and follow... !
This video is incredible! As a fellow black male at Google, from the inner city (Southside Chicago), this hit me on many levels. Thanks for sharing Bro! Much respect and love!
What's amazing about the California Academy of Math and Science is that we come from all different backgrounds. Our parents aren't all engineers or doctors. We all have our own careers and destinies we desire. It's an amazing school and we all support each other.
This is refreshing. I spent 30 + years on the streets of Compton as a law enforcement officer during the time this man was a youngster searching for safe passage. I regret the fact that he had to be separated from his parents but he and his siblings were blessed by God in that he placed their situation in the right household. I am 78 years old and my eyes are tearing with joy at his achievements.
This is such a beautiful story :) I love to see stories like this where people are able to overcome their obstacles. It definitely inspired me, and I’m sure he inspires many more.
Most of the time it seems like buzzfeed does not give a good representation of Christians but this time it does it makes me very happy I think this is one of the best buzzfeed video I have watched
I love this video so much. I hope that in the future, more kids from disadvantaged backgrounds will have these stories so that we no longer are the minority / the underdog that made it, but the norm.
I can understand imposter syndrome. It really hurts sometimes when you feel like you don't deserve to be somewhere you've really worked hard to get to. Everyone around me is so smart that I just feel like I'm not as good and maybe shouldn't be at this school, but then I remind myself that we're different people and everyone learns differently. I believe in myself and sometimes it's hard, but I know I can do it. We all can! And thank you for your story it was beautiful and so relatable. :)
I like how his story exemplifies the importance of great foster parents. Also, I also knew what the 'black tax' was but I never knew there was a word for it. Great video!
lyrics ; Your future is still being developed. I encourage you to consider your passions and how to use those to better those around you. As you evaluate your current position on social, educational, and political stances, I believe your purpose shall be produced and developed. No matter one's current lot, this lays the foundation for where one wants to go and can go in life.
So freaking awesome! It's good to see someone with skills, knowledge, and determination give a hand up to others. That "crabs in the barrel" mentality needs to go as much as the reality of the "black tax"! Race aside, if everyone took to mentality of "each one, help one", think what a better place we'd be in!
Personal experience while on a business trip in LA. We were close to Compton and I really wanted to visit the place, since a movie with the name was a hit back then, but I was strongly discouraged to go there; at one point our bus was driving past the place and the tour operator advised us to keep our heads low, don't look into the eyes of anyone and all these people standing around have guns. The atmosphere tensed up immediately. I still have that image in my mind and it's the same feeling that comes up every time someone says Compton.
+Divine Hazard It's not always as simple as that. A lot of it is hard work, a lot is luck, and a lot is just being in the right circumstances. People growing up in poverty that are looking to make something of themselves usually also have a duty to provide for the family and have to make compromises. Some have mentally ill family members they cant leave behind... Life is not straight forward and it's easy to say to forget about everything and just aim for your goals, but that just isn't how reality unfolds most of the time. Props to this guy for making something of himself, but I'm sure many people in poverty have had many different experiences.
He came to my school...we got stickers for asking question or answering them..he was nice....he wore the same hat it cool but know one knew he was yet. All we know was that he was a Google worker. And after we knew lot about and learn about his story and it was a good message to 150 student listening to him including me...so yeh.
This video was incredible. A huge takeaway is that people can accomplish so much in life if they are given a chance to succeed. God bless this man, his foster parents, his mentors, and members of his church.
this is one of the best buzzfeed videos I have ever seen.
True...their content is sometimes trash...like me🤘🏼
THE BEST
Rachel!! 💖💖
Rachel O'leary me to
Ikr - then you see their $2 bacon vs some other bacon video gets 10 mil views.
I relate to this on a spiritual level. I’m from the projects and my parents have done everything to ensure my brother and I don’t fall in the bad group. I’m currently studying computer networking and science in college. If you believe you can achieve! Women in STEM!!!
Keep going dude 💜
Ellie F I’m a girl but thx!!!
laury Rodriguez get it!!! 🤑🤑
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
laury Rodriguez I
YAS GIRL
wow this man went through a lot, mad respect bro
When he mention for the imposter syndrome... that hits me man. I can relate so much
Same! I attended the same high school (california academy of mathematics and science). The struggle was real for a guy that grew up in Inglewood.
Wow as a black guy working in Tech this definitely hit a nerve with me. Make more videos like this.
Man I'm not always a fan of Buzzfeed, but the way the presented this guys story was handled really well. Props to them for letting him tell it how he wanted to and for including his experience with faith and God and not cutting that out. It's a part of his story that I think a lot of others could relate to who are from similar backgrounds
“God is the hero of my story and I’m just along for the ride.”
That God over money shirt too 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Melissa Kohler what kind of god ?
Sid K - The God of the Bible, one true God of everything.
Right?! LOVE IT!
Props to this guy! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Derp Ina cool I love it
I was adopted twice now my dream is music. I love success stories like this
Props he got picked up by google to be a number in their recruiting system to not seem racist. This guy made it!!!
Honestly we need a lot more content and videos like this! This was amazing.
this is very inspirational. it’s nice to see someone from humble beginnings make it. im from flint- a similar city with similar experiences. i hope i get to tell a success story like him one day. *knocks on wood so i dont jinx myself*
If you believe it, you can achieve it.
_- lifeisablessing_
*If you believe in it, and you're talented, and you work hard, and you have luck on your side, you can probably achieve some things.
Oh thank god you guys didn’t start that ant farm theme song!
lifeisablessing if your BLACK you have an advantage these days
My school be saying that and he came to our school lol it was dope
Amazing life story! Proof that we can all overcome obstacles in life! What an amazing example he is! 💕💐
Tieia Middleton yes but structural factors like deindustrialization, neoliberalism, and white supremacy still are factors.
Tieia Middleton actually there is was a guy from my school i live in south central L.A. John C. Fremont high school and he went on to go to Harvard so that is more proof that anyone can make it, it doesnt matter were you are from, only your hard work and determination matter
Cesar Not necessarily
Awesome story Anthony! My dad is from LA, and we now live in Omaha. He grew up during the LA riots and experienced some of the same things you did as a child. I love that your story is going full circle and now inspiring so many people! Much love for you and for everyone who is giving back and lifting everyone up. #YouInspireMe
Ha! I also was born and raised in LA and now live in Omaha. Yea Compton life in 80's~90's was hard and I'm glad you uplifted yourself and made it out. Anyone can do this Anthony!
This could be turned into a movie and it makes even better because he is an ordinary guy that struggled and made it out! So inspirational.
GreyCloud, What i was just gonna say!! Movie/Book!!! Would be a best seller!
I’d watch it!
He’s such a strong man, such an inspiration seeing someone from your hometown progress and strive is such a beautiful thing. God bless him ❤️✨
Thank you for sharing this, on multiple levels I can relate to what you're saying. I am currently going through that phase of doubt as you were. I talked myself out of it, but it comes back. The thing is, hearing you speak to the same issues helps me to understand that this thing I am going through is really not limited to just me, and I can get through this. thank you again. much blessings, all the best. let your church family pray for me also please. be blessed
i’m sorry but his school mascot was a graphing calculator? that threw me off guard real quick
no the individual classes have mascots, for example, the juniors at my schools are c/o 2019 sharks. the mascots of the SCHOOL is a rebel
Lmao my school doesnt even have a mascot
This guy has..
Power
Inspiration
Determination
Strength
PRAISE FOR THIS GUYYY❤️😂
Nadya Islam Genuinely thought you would make it stand P.E.N.I.S
That’s enough internet today for me, I guess.
Jennifer Loome Your parents taught you very well..🙏😂..I had the same thought!😂😂😂
pids
I cried so much with this one!! Great job! Keep it up! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I live in Compton right now and I drive 30 minutes to my school in Torrance so I could get a better education,my mom works 12 hours a day to provide for me and my 2 brothers and my sister
FruityPebbles
Dude you're mom is amazing.
man, I felt the same thing when I started out in uni for comp sci - it's hard not to compare yourself and your background to the other students but at the end of the day the effort you put in on your own and your work ethic will make you shine
*Never give up*
So inspiring ❤️❤️
This video deserves a lot more views. This chap's journey is so important and essential to show other people if you want it you can get it. Even if you don't believe someone else will to push you forward to be your best self.
Brother, your story moved me deeply. I rejoice in your resilience, generosity and success.
I lived just outside Compton before I had to go through there all the time to get to work I think the Mayor is doing a great job there now, also cops will tell you it's Watts and Lynwood where more of the issues are now. Compton has a rep because of the 80's/90's but I'm not sure it's quite the same anymore.
Really? I'm not familiar with Salina's, but I could see it I think between gentrification and general demo changes around LA certain cities have changed, I also know the Mayor's since 2009 in Compton have worked hard to try to shed that persona of it being a violent place to be.
Chicago is worse
Caillou the Pimp i never hear any stories about someone making it out of Chicago because the bad life
Cesar Flores derrick rose made it out of chicago
Yeah I live 15 min from Compton and it sure isnt as bad as before...its gotten so much better
This is amazing, this guy is a true inspiration ❤️❤️⭐️
Your story moves me! It moves mountains. You're a good guy at heart too, I can feel it. Thank you.
I met him in person. His background story is so great it made me appreciate what I have now so much more.
This made me tear up because he reminds me so much of me and how my friends tell me i'm smart, but i tend to compare myself to others and that makes me feel like i'll never be good enough or smart enough and this was so so inspiring and i hope i get to meet him some day
As a former foster youth and seeing your success I’m happy for you. Continue to motivate and make a difference. To God be the glory.
I 👏🏾 love 👏🏾 when 👏🏾 black 👏🏾 men 👏🏾 achieve. 👏🏾
So impressed.
Erica O'Brien I love when anyone achieves.
This is so great . All those great people from Compton . So proud of you .
This is so inspirational to me because I’m a black FEMALE currently studying Computer Science! Google visited my campus & I fell in love with the company! I made it my goal to work at Google one day 💕
DeeBlackLotus sweet!~ I'm taking com sci this year and i don't know what to expect I'm scared and excited at the same time~~
Well you’re a black woman so clearly they’ll hire you on the spot
Slaire Awesome lmao you wish it was that easy. Google doesn’t hire people simply because they’re black or female or whatever. The people they hire have an exceptional and outstanding skill and talent for what they do. Being black/female/etc is just another factor, not THE factor.
Cassielf ikonic but now companies have to fill a diversity quota, so if there is an equal skill level between two applicants, and one is a minority, they will be picked.
Wishing you much success!! Keep it going! 🙌🙌
CAMS c/o '01!!!...its crazy to see this and to know that he felt like an imposter too...I wish I would have known that...this was inspirational in a very personal way for me...Great Job Penny
CAMS c/o 2014 here :)
Awesome video! Truly hits home and not just for one group of people but for anyone trying to change their life and do something more rewarding.
This is by far my favorite video you’ve guys have done. I have grew up and still live in Compton to this day and I relate to this so much. Being a gay man/drag queen living in Compton was rough but through all the hardships I had to deal with made me want to strive and still work on making something with my life. To show people that if you believe you can do whatever you want no matter where you’re from. Yeah Compton has its bad reps and a lot are true, but it’s seriously not the worse place to live and grow up. It’s made me a stronger individual. This just makes me so happy to see a story on this like honestly it warms my heart.
Please have more videos like this! Probably one of the best video I have ever seen on BuzzFeed.
So proud to work with Anthony and see all the great things he does like, touring and educating inner city youth. Along with teaching college students how to properly prepare and thus interview for tech positions. Dude is a legend.
Best Buzzfeed video I've seen! I can relate being from Watts, about to graduate from UC Irvine too!
Such an inspiring story! What really got me was when you said that its not just yourself you let down but the whole community. It really got me.
This is amazing and motivating. It's beautiful to see how grateful and humble he is. 👍
This healed my soul and cured my acne. Such a pure heart warming story ❤
Please more stories like this!
his story is amazing. truly touching and a great video. these are the videos BuzzFeed needs.
The amount of happiness I feel for this guy right now, is indescribable. Amazed and greatful there are people like him in the world, paving the way for others to be inspired and follow... !
He was my google tour guide!! I met himm
lol
I love this! Thank you for sharing your inspirational story.
Very relatable and inspiring.. sending love from Compton ✊🏼
Awesome story and message, Anthony, congratulations, though I think your best is yet to come.
This video is incredible! As a fellow black male at Google, from the inner city (Southside Chicago), this hit me on many levels. Thanks for sharing Bro! Much respect and love!
He lived just down the street from me here in Compton. That's crazy. Mad props to this man!!!
What's amazing about the California Academy of Math and Science is that we come from all different backgrounds. Our parents aren't all engineers or doctors. We all have our own careers and destinies we desire. It's an amazing school and we all support each other.
it warms my heart to hear stories like this.
This is refreshing. I spent 30 + years on the streets of Compton as a law enforcement officer during the time this man was a youngster searching for safe passage. I regret the fact that he had to be separated from his parents but he and his siblings were blessed by God in that he placed their situation in the right household. I am 78 years old and my eyes are tearing with joy at his achievements.
I didn’t want this video to end! I could listen to him for hours. So inspiring.
AYYYYYY CAMS ALUMNI LETS GO. CLASS OF 2020 GRIFFINS
This is such a beautiful story :) I love to see stories like this where people are able to overcome their obstacles. It definitely inspired me, and I’m sure he inspires many more.
Most of the time it seems like buzzfeed does not give a good representation of Christians but this time it does it makes me very happy I think this is one of the best buzzfeed video I have watched
Awesome story, Thank you for sharing and for paying it forward
Wow. Your life is a testimony for my children. Thank you for your wonderful story.
This was really inspiring story Anthony, emotional at some point and convincing story. Thanks for sharing.
I love this video so much. I hope that in the future, more kids from disadvantaged backgrounds will have these stories so that we no longer are the minority / the underdog that made it, but the norm.
I can understand imposter syndrome. It really hurts sometimes when you feel like you don't deserve to be somewhere you've really worked hard to get to. Everyone around me is so smart that I just feel like I'm not as good and maybe shouldn't be at this school, but then I remind myself that we're different people and everyone learns differently. I believe in myself and sometimes it's hard, but I know I can do it. We all can! And thank you for your story it was beautiful and so relatable. :)
This was so inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your story.. lots of love and respect to you..
This. Right here. And I love his shirt: "God Over Money".
I live in Compton and it is not even that bad anymore
Sloppy Joe2022 seriously...I used to live in Rancho Dominguez(5min from compton) and Comptons gotten so much better
Ong I live in Long Beach
Sloppy Joe2022 Im in Compton too, Its still shady asf. Walk around fruit town, Compton court house, or any park at night.
Armando Fraire walking around at night in almost any city is sketchy...lol
Same for Inglewood.
I needed this today!
Man.....this right here.....thank you for this! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
That T-Shirt "God Over Money" says it all.
thank you for sharing your story. I needed this so much.
Wow, that was so well told! What a great example you are. Thanks for sharing your story!
Compton’s school system is garbage, instead of building a new school, they should hire more teachers
BrianPremium I would support an entire school reform. For the entire nation.
I like how his story exemplifies the importance of great foster parents. Also, I also knew what the 'black tax' was but I never knew there was a word for it. Great video!
Love this one... really given me the juice needed to push me...thank you guys...
one of the only... LITERALLY only Buzzfeed video i have ever liked.
So inspirational!!
I'm freaking out because I have no idea what I want to do in my future.
lyrics ; Your future is still being developed. I encourage you to consider your passions and how to use those to better those around you. As you evaluate your current position on social, educational, and political stances, I believe your purpose shall be produced and developed. No matter one's current lot, this lays the foundation for where one wants to go and can go in life.
So freaking awesome! It's good to see someone with skills, knowledge, and determination give a hand up to others. That "crabs in the barrel" mentality needs to go as much as the reality of the "black tax"! Race aside, if everyone took to mentality of "each one, help one", think what a better place we'd be in!
Wow. I love this♥️ More videos like these please Buzzfeed 🙏🏽
Beautiful story. I wouldn't mind seeing more human stories like this.
I love that comparison of Compton and a rose Bush, it's beauty and pain. That's beautiful
Thanks for this inspiring story! It really motivates not to be afraid of your ambitions
Inspirational & fairy tale ending ! Great when good things happen to good people x
Personal experience while on a business trip in LA. We were close to Compton and I really wanted to visit the place, since a movie with the name was a hit back then, but I was strongly discouraged to go there; at one point our bus was driving past the place and the tour operator advised us to keep our heads low, don't look into the eyes of anyone and all these people standing around have guns. The atmosphere tensed up immediately. I still have that image in my mind and it's the same feeling that comes up every time someone says Compton.
A living example of American opportunity. Respect to this guy.
Ian Hollinger true but not everyone can pick themselves up by their bootstraps
*MAD RESPECC*
benblexbenblex I disagree with enough work anyone can do that.
benblexbenblex If you can't. You don't deserve it.
+Divine Hazard It's not always as simple as that. A lot of it is hard work, a lot is luck, and a lot is just being in the right circumstances. People growing up in poverty that are looking to make something of themselves usually also have a duty to provide for the family and have to make compromises. Some have mentally ill family members they cant leave behind... Life is not straight forward and it's easy to say to forget about everything and just aim for your goals, but that just isn't how reality unfolds most of the time. Props to this guy for making something of himself, but I'm sure many people in poverty have had many different experiences.
I love his message, so powerful. Thank you for making this vid. 😘
Wow you can tell from his story that he’s a hard worker and devoted to what he does though it’s been really hard for him
Thank you for this buzzfeed!
I'm not crying, the video got in my eyes..
He came to my school...we got stickers for asking question or answering them..he was nice....he wore the same hat it cool but know one knew he was yet. All we know was that he was a Google worker. And after we knew lot about and learn about his story and it was a good message to 150 student listening to him including me...so yeh.
This video was incredible. A huge takeaway is that people can accomplish so much in life if they are given a chance to succeed. God bless this man, his foster parents, his mentors, and members of his church.
Wow. This video hit me like a ton of bricks. This guy's amazing and even more amazing that he is able to tell his story very calmly.
YAY! Keep on doing what you are doing! Absolutely inspiring story!
This is the kind of buzzfeed videos I would like to see more of
What a blessed story. Thank you buzzfeed
This is so cool. Thank you for sharing your story!
You are a true inspiration to many aspiring young people! Keep up the good work!!
this video brought tears to my eyes an I hope everything goes good for you and your family, God Bless you
this is a really amazing story -- awesome hearing about his path and passion.
This is amazing. Thank you for sharing your story.
What a wonderful story! God bless!
I think you deserve good things in your life, you seem like a good person. Keep the faith bro.