For the past few months, this blog has served to promote positive thoughts and visions that I hope have been beneficial to all that read it. The topic for this week is “Special Bonds”. We all develop bonds with friends as well as family members. We are taught to love all our family, even our drunk uncles and crazy cousins. Let’s face it, family is where we learn a lot of life lessons. The following is the story of my brother Tony’s life and how important it is to have someone believe in and support you. Hopefully, this article will impart some words of wisdom that will motivate you on your life’s journey.
My brother Tony is the one in my family with whom I share a special bond. Many of you probably have heard me mention my family which consisted of 10 kids and our mother as head of household. Based on the odds against black families no one thought I or my siblings would become successful. When others say “no you can’t” I rise to the occasion and prove them wrong. I was determined to provide my brother unconditional support in his endeavors because I saw a light in him. Tony has accomplished so much. He continues to “let his light shine.”
Tony was the first in the family to attend and graduate from college. When he entered college I pledged to do everything I could to help him succeed as my mother wasn’t financially able to support him. Tony was an outstanding high school athlete and lettered in three sports. As a result of his athletic prowess, he received a football scholarship to Tennessee State University. However, he soon felt defeated when he did not make the starting lineup there. He decided to walk away. When he shared his decision with me I encouraged him to send tapes of his high school games to other colleges. He followed my guidance and received a full scholarship to Morris Brown College, a significant HBCU here in Atlanta, GA. During his years at Morris Brown, I was there for Tony to help him with whatever the need was at the time i.e., money, clothing use of my car, etc. I became such a regular fixture at Morris Brown that many thought I was a student there. Family is everything!
Since college Tony has devoted his life to helping others through his work with the Peace Foundation which he founded. He’s worked for the past 20 years to stop gang violence in Los Angeles. Tony has presented a medal of freedom in London, England two years ago as well as receiving other awards of distinction. The Peace Foundation’s present initiative is working to rebuild underserved and neglected urban cities in America. The purpose of the aforementioned initiative is to provide training to disenfranchised individuals in the area of skilled trades to help them become carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, drywall installers, etc. Acquisition of these skills will hopefully create a successful future for program participants. In the words of Lao Tzu “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
Tony’s busy schedule and continuous travels keep him constantly tasked with many obligations. Because of our special bond, I am the designated family connection. Our family is so very proud of Tony for his journey, his purpose, and all the good work that he does for the less fortunate. In all families, there are special bonds that exist among each respective sibling and other family members as well. Each of us has that distinctive family member with whom we share a special connection. My brother Tony is using his special bond and his peace coin venture to collectively take his siblings, our children, and our grandchildren to higher heights. This gift of love all started with our mother. She was determined to give her children a foundation that would prepare them to experience a better life. She achieved her goal. Please visit Tony’s web page at peacecoin.io to get additional information. I implore each of you to reach out and build a special bond in thought, word, and deed with those you care about. We are our brother’s keeper. Give us a thumbs up, alike, a share, and please subscribe.
Marvin Dixon/Founder
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