Tony

Tony is a man of the people. Since childhood, he has committed his time and energy to elevating people in his community. From being an afterschool tutor, rebuilding homes after Hurricane Katrina, to serving as a program coordinator for non-profits and grass-roots initiatives, Tony’s had a humanitarian mission to motivate and empower people to invest in themselves and the community they live in.

Shortly after graduating from college in Minnesota, Tony moved to New Orleans. It’s there that he has transformed lives, including his own. For years, he worked as an elementary school teacher, while simultaneously pursing his ambition to become a rapper. His hard work as an artist paid off in 2014 when he was booked for a 10-day tour in Europe and later created the hip-hop duo, Wilson Miles.

Throughout his life, Tony has been a jack of all trades but no job has come so naturally to him than being a father. His daughter is the inspiration behind his most recent music project - Gelly’s Playground. This hip-hop album is targeted for children to learn about conflict resolution, communication, and community building. The album is not at all a stretch for this former educator, as Tony used to incorporate music in his lesson plans as a method to engage students and get them to enjoy the learning experience.

Songs like “Happy Place” and “Smile” have such uplifting beats and positive lyrics that nonparents can even enjoy.

Each record is definitely a “bop” as the kids would say. Tony envisions Gelly’s Playground to evolve beyond the album and music video, and transcend into other multimedia including books, animation, and television.

Amid the social justice movements and activism last summer (2020), Tony continued in his commitment to community development by creating Rize of the Kings.

The support group, facilitated by a life coach, aims to demystify and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and therapy in the black community.

Tony and other men of color engage in conversations on careers, relationships, wellness, and everything in between. The mens' sessions were so successful that Tony expanded to offer a support group exclusive to women. In his mission to normalize the understanding and use of mental health services, Tony intentionally offers registration for each session at a low price to really allow anyone with interest to attend. In addition, he also offers financial assistance towards registration to provide additional support for people in need.

In education, music, public service, and fatherhood, Tony is truly a galvanizer of sorts.