Alumni Profile - Anthony Lopez, DDC '81
Anthony Lopez
Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, 1977 – 1981
SUNY–Binghamton, B.A. in Sociology, 1981 – 1986
“[Double Discovery] really prepared me for my journey in leadership: How to work with people, how to feel comfortable in any environment, and be proud and rooted to where I came from.”
Tony, who describes himself as “a son of the South Bronx,” attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. He learned about the program from his aunt who spoke at a Double Discovery Career Day panel. She passed the information along to Tony and he enrolled in the Talent Search program. He later transferred into the Upward Bound program because he wanted to be a part of its summer academy. Students lived on the Columbia College campus and took academic classes.
During his time at Double Discovery, the 1981 graduate recalls the support and leadership skills he learned by working with the staff. “They were incredible people who cared about the program and its students. They really prepared me for my journey in leadership: How to work with people, how to feel comfortable in any environment and be proud and rooted to where I came from,” he says.
“Everyone was smart and passionate. They were clear on the message, ‘We are privileged to be in this program and that we have a moral obligation to give back and pay it forward by bringing others along,’” he adds.
He recounts how Paula Martin who was the assistant director of Upward Bound, inspired him to become more involved with the program. “She encouraged me to run for a leadership position in student government.” Tony did and was elected president of the Leadership Council.
From Bertheina “Bert” Pinkney, the assistant to then Executive Director, Larry Dais, Tony says he learned how to manage an office. “We were provided office space, a file cabinet…[I] learned how to speak publicly, keep financial records of our activities and chair meetings,” he remembers.
He recounts the support and assistance he received from counselors, especially Victor Vega. “Victor helped me with my college application and was a fellow musician.”
The two developed a friendship. “He and I would rehearse and play Latin music together. He wrote the lyrics to a song and I put music to it.” Tony played the trumpet and still plays the piano. They performed their musical arrangement at Upward Bound’s summer talent show.
As he reflects back on his years at Double Discovery, Tony discussed legendary people such as Dr. Maya Angelou, Judge Bruce Wright and Professor, Poet and Author Lindamichelle Baron, who addressed and inspired the students.
He also recalls being able to use the Columbia College facilities. “Having the ID and being able to have access to the same things as Columbia students was incredible,” he says.
During college, the SUNY Binghamton undergraduate gave back to the Center. He worked as the dormitory director during the summer Upward Bound program and taught a Critical Writing course.
After college, J. Glenn Hopkins, the executive director at the time, offered Tony two job opportunities. He could either work as a counselor in Upward Bound or work as the director for a new four-year pilot program called Career Beginnings. “In 1986, DDC was given a grant…for a college and career-mentoring program for high school juniors and seniors. “ The program served 100 students. Tony had to recruit and train 100 mentors, and match them with students.
Tony and Judith Weisenfeld, a Career Beginnings counselor, partnered with the organization 100 Black Men of America, Inc. for the project. Together, they found men and women throughout the New York City area. “One hundred percent of the mentors were people of color,” Tony proudly adds.
Career Beginnings students had summer internships at “WKCR [Columbia College’s radio station], Downstate Medical Center, [at] nonprofits, in higher education and [in] business,” he remembers. During the school year, participants received college counseling and tutoring.
Of working with students, Tony says, “They needed adults who cared about them as much as the staff who cared about me. I related to their ambitions. I connected with their dreams…I was attuned to their futures, their ways and desire to do well and make their families proud.”
In 1987, Tony left DDC to become the director of Support Services at the I Have A Dream Foundation and was later promoted to the nonprofit’s national director of Support Services. He also made history as the Foundation’s first executive director of the New York Chapter. Throughout his career, Tony has worked with nonprofits and in education. “I enjoy leading an organization to make a difference and train the next generation,” he says.
Until the fall of 2014, Tony was the CEO/Head of School at the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School. He led and implemented a turnaround strategy to reposition the school towards a successful path. It included managing a $5.5 million budget, a 54 person staff and hiring a successor. The school was recently renewed for a second charter term by the New York State Department of Education.
Currently, Tony is a business development consultant for Victory Education Partners and a co-chair for the Youth Funders Network. Additionally, he is the founder and the president of the Aprendes Foundation.
By Lisa Herndon
Photo: Courtesy of Tony Lopez