HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Antonio McGinnis grew up in public housing, and now, he is leading it.
In this week’s Next Question, we are highlighting his journey of hardship to leadership and how it is changing lives.
“I’m very grateful for the experience and the opportunities I have because it helps me lead a little different, “said Antonio McGinnis, who is the executive director of the Huntsville Housing Authority.
McGinnis’ life has come full circle; he is now serving the community he once called home. He grew up in Sparkman Homes, which was once called Mason Court.
Built in 1954 on Holmes Avenue, it was the city’s second oldest public housing project, before it was demolished 5 years ago.
“It was very busy community at the time, “ McGinnis said. “And people were afraid. People were afraid to even drive down the street at nighttime, especially Holmes Avenue. There was a lot of drug activity, especially in the early 90s, late 80s.”
McGinnis says it was a time when teens didn’t have a lot of choices to stay out of trouble.
“You either played sports, or you participated in other activities,” said McGinnis. “And I chose to play sports, and that helped me.”
And that pursuit of sports would change his life. He received a basketball scholarship to Texas A&M. He even got to play overseas. He later came back home and worked at a few organizations before eventually becoming the director of the Huntsville Housing Authority.
“I think being a part of the basketball team, being an athlete has helped me run the organization,” McGinnis said.” “I credit a lot of my success to just being an athlete and being able to participate in those activities.”
As far as how his experience growing up in Huntsville Housing Authority has shaped his priorities as director, McGinnis said he want to see as many people as possible get out of generational cycles of poverty.
“There’s too many people who feel like this is it for them. And I feel like I have a blueprint to help as many people who want to get out, get out,” he said.
When Sparkman Homes was demolished, the city said they wanted to make it a park. However, McGinnis said he would like to see housing return back to the open space.
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