- Who are you, and what is your role at A Better World?
I am Anthony McKnight, Literacy/Program Coordinator for A Better World.
- What inspired you to work with children and families in this community?
I’ve been involved with serving youth and communities for most of my professional career, and when presented with an opportunity to serve with A Better World, I felt that in addition to working with children in a worthy cause, it would also be a great opportunity to learn more about the city, and in particular, how the kids in our program are shaped by it.
- Can you share a little about your background — whether through education, work, or life experience – that brought you to this work?
I believe a combination of my education, work, and life experience has prepared me for this opportunity with A Better World. I’m originally from Queens, NY, and ever since I graduated from high school, I’ve been travelling back and forth between NY and NC. I originally attended North Carolina A&T State University as an Accounting major, but eventually changed, graduating with a degree in African American Studies and English minor. While at NC A&T, I ultimately learned that money was cool and useful, but that I valued “knowledge of self” a bit more. Through this knowledge, I joined other community-based nonprofits, schools, and community-facing government agencies, and learned more about what “community” truly meant, and how each entity makes its impact from different angles. Joining A Better World allows me to put all the things I’ve learned in other positions into practice, while approaching it with an understanding of how important the work we do is.
- What do you love most about being part of the A Better World team?
What I love most about being a part of A Better World is that though we are made up of a small staff, everyone approaches this work with big hearts and deep intention. From the staff, faculty, and volunteers, everyone that I’ve encountered cares about the work and the lives it impacts.
- What’s one fun fact or hobby that helps you recharge outside of work?
Something that I’m really into that helps me recharge outside of work is ART! Whether it’s writing, listening to music, watching a movie, or going to a museum, it’s always cool to observe and be a part of some type of healthy self-expression and vision. A lot of the time, it inspires me to take my art to another level.
- What’s one hope you have for the students we serve?
One hope I have for the students we serve is that when they leave this program, they walk away with valuable skills, experiences, and relationships that take them where they want to go in life, where they can come back as a testament to the mission of A Better World.
