Conversations with Shaquille Anthony

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

Hi Shaquille, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m a country boy from the south side of Muskegon, Michigan (known as Muskegon Heights) with very humble beginning. I didn’t come from a family with lawyers and doctors, and wealthy people. I lost my father to suicide only my 5th birthday. I attended one of the poorest school districts in the state Michigan but graduated salutatorian with a 3.98 GPA and a full ride to Western Michigan University. I changed my major four thine but still graduated in four years. I found out I was having a daughter in my last semester of college after accepting an offer at BP as an HR Generalist in Houston, TX. I decided to stay and moved to Grand Rapids, where I began my career as a Career Development Specialist at Gerald R Ford Job Corps. While working there, I decided to go after my Maters Degree. I chose to do the Organizational Leadership degree at Cornerstone University. After almost two years of working for that organization, I was poached to another organization down the street, LINC UP. I accepted a new role there as a Workforce Development Liaison, connecting residents to employment opportunities through building sustainable and fruitful partnerships with local business and organizations. I saw many results at this organization. In my first year, I connected over 500 people to employment in the inner city. I built several programs and facilitated workshops to help up-skill those in the local community. After 2.5 years of working for LINC UP, I was poached again by Spectrum Health (now Corewell Health). I took an HR position focusing on community-based hiring and building programs to help diverse the talent pool in 36,000+ employee organization. I help build and execute several programs that not only expanded the pipeline but also strengthened community connection and involvement. I was able to work on adjusting hiring policies and practices. Because of the phenomenal work I accomplished at Soectrum Health, after a year, I was poached again by Spartan Nash. I served in a newly created role focusing on putting infrastructure around and growing their internship program and focusing on internal culture and DEI programmatic work. While there I was able to change the pay structure for the internship program, reimagine what ARGs looked like post covid, and enhance our presence and build several partnerships with HBCUs and HSIs across the nation. 

I currently serve as the Director of strategic partnerships at Calvin University. My job entails internal alignment and the removal of silos and foster a culture of collaboration, building and implementing a model for partnership, going from a one-dimensional model to a multi-dimensional model (getting multiple wins on the same front, and community engagement and development. 

One thing unique to my journey is the common thread in my career path. Although the organization or business. I worked for might’ve change, the core of my work and the intent behind it never changed. I’m called to build bridges and gainful relationships that help removes barriers for the marginalized and disenfranchised. No matter where I’ve worked, I’ve been able to sustain that mission and model. I also recently just defend my dissertation in November, so I am a doctor. I decided to do go after my doctorate degree immediately after my master’s degree, which means I completed 10 consecutive years of school with no break. 

As a young successful professional, I understand that my accomplishments are bigger than me and I just want to have a lasting impact in the lives of others. I’ve never taken any position or opportunity for granted. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth ride. The city I’m from alone has its own challenges. I loss my biological father extremely early. My mother did marry after, but my stepfather passed away right before (2 months) I became a father myself. Additionally, I lost my Godfather 2 days before my dissertation defense to cancer. I had a lot of reasons to choose a different route, but I refused to let the opposition in my life deter me from purpose. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently am the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Calvin University, and I focus on internal alignment, building a model for partnerships, and community engagement and development. I literally am helping the university curate a culture of collaboration, information sharing and helping us live into our vision 2030 that explains our intention and plan to become a trusted partner with a renewed identity in the local community and beyond. 

I specialize in connection and reconciliation. I help build bridges and bring voices to tables that normally wouldn’t be at that table. I help facilitate critical conversations effectively so that various parties are. It only heard but also understood with the future in mind. 

I am known for being very connected in the city. I have had the pleasure to have some amazing opportunities, and I’ve been able to take those experiences and connections with me along my journey. I am also known as a respect musician (drummer) in the city. 

I am most proud of being a father and completing my doctorate degree without neglecting my responsibilities as a father. My daughter is one my greatest joys, and having the opportunity to raise her and create a pathway for her has been amazing! I know what it’s like not to have a father, so being able to give her everything I felt like I missed is one of the truest forms of healing. 

I believe what sets me apart from others is my humility and my desire to literally change the lives of others. I know that what I’ve been able to do and what I do currently is much bigger than me. I know that the seats I’ve sat in are for greater impact. If I can’t help create opportunity and access for others, then I feel like my time is up! 

What do you think about luck?
I don’t know if I would define it is as luck as much as I would define it as favor. I believe that favor has been a key asset to my journey. I am probably one of the youngest doctors in West Michigan, and I know that’s not by happenstance. The opportunities I’ve been given and the rooms I’ve been invited into are not small things. When I think about my journey, I’ve literally been fast-tracked if feels like. I was a first-generation college student, I received a full ride, I even received a scholarship for my doctorate degree. These are things that I know were favor. I was favored to work full time, be a father, and go to school full time without neglecting any of my responsibilities. Although the journey wasn’t easy, I still know that there was a certain level of favor I had. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Shaqanthony.com
• Instagram: Iamdrshaqanthony
• Facebook: Shaq Anthony