When Anthony Brown walked up to the mic to address the guests who attended the new University Hospital’s Cutler Center for Men, he did what he always does; he made sure to promote those who needed exposure the most.
To be honest, it is hard to pinpoint where Brown is going to be next. On the weekends he can be found supporting several different things in one day. Whether it is the get-out-to-vote campaign, supporting kids who would like to attend an HBCU, Historically Black College, or University) or cheering on the kids to attend any CMSD (Cleveland Metropolitan School District) school in the city.
One might wonder where all the energy comes from. Why is Brown always in a good mood and how is he able to support so many causes? The answer had come from Brown having a near-death experience.
In 2012 Brown suffered from migraine headaches. They became so bad that he sought to find an answer to his condition.
It was discovered that Brown had a brain tumor all around his brain. His life was crushed.
At the time Brown did not have a career to speak of, a plan for himself and he lived in a constant state of depression. The food was his friend which made his weight balloon to over 360 pounds.
“Depression is a real thing. Mental health is a real thing,” Brown said. “I spent a lot of years coping with my depression with food and alcohol. I became an alcoholic.”
At the suggestion of his wife, Brown got a second opinion. It turns out that the second opinion saved his life.
Brown went from a diagnosis of having brain cancer all over his brain to, one small tumor at the base of his skull that, when biopsied, turned out to be benign. That news would change Brown’s health and change his approach to life as well.
“I realized that I had been coasting through life. I really did not have a game plan for what I wanted to do, but I knew that since God gave me a second chance, I would not continue to spend it wasting my time or talents,” Brown said.
From there Brown has been attacking his goals and changing lives. He started with his own. Brown lost over two hundred pounds and slimmed down to a healthy weight.
pre-diabeticI had was pre-everything,” Brown continued, “I was pre-diabetic, had high blood pressure and everything that comes with being overweight.”
Brown also changed his career. When he started working for CMSD in 2014 it paved the way for him to help those who needed guidance the most.
Today Brown as a volunteer in several areas including working for his church, his former high school at Warrensville Heights, is a deacon at Second New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Program Manager, Family and Community Engagement at CMSD, works with his alma mater, Bethune-Cookman University, works with his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha in his spare time.
As Brown finishes his acknowledgments for the night, he puts the mic down and begins to shake the hand of every person in the room. His infectious personality wins the room over once again, making the evening a success for those in attendance.
It is not often that people are given a second chance in life. Brown, is taking every opportunity he can to fulfill the dream that he promised himself he would accomplish by proving life can be amazing if you decide to live. ●
