Anthony Suggs, Sr.: The Philanthropic Champion of Alexandria
“Help others, be a positive role model and be active in the community, after all it takes a village,” Suggs said.
By Shenise Foster
Alexandria, VA – Alexandria is a city full of diverse and talented citizens who strive to make our home the embodiment of all things community. One of those citizens leading the pack is Anthony Suggs Sr., who is well known for his accomplishments inside and outside the boxing ring.
“Help others, be a positive role model and be active in the community, after all it takes a village,” Suggs said.
Suggs Sr., an Olympic Festival Gold Medalist in 1987, was a major contender for the 1988 Olympics. In 2018, he was inducted into the Washington, DC, Boxing Hall of Fame for his achievements. He has dedicated his life to the empowerment of children and young adults, leading to his spearheading of the Men of Courage Lifetime Achievement Award Program in 2013. The program continues to recognize the commitment of Alexandrian men who have held influential positions in the city and invested their time to give back to the community.
“I could never imagine, but I was hoping that the award would be appreciated,” Suggs said. “I felt very proud as I called the names of the honorees and seeing their smiling faces as they walked up to me, expressing how much the award meant to them”.
Suggs has lived in the city since 1978 and regards Alexandria as a “close knit community where everyone knew each other, where adults saw potential, nurtured and guided me on the right path.”
The support from the Alexandria community laid the foundation, for Mr. Suggs to write his book, “Da Beast Within, Still the Champ,” which allowed him to describe his boxing career journey and the hardships that he encountered and overcame to make him a stronger individual.
Award recipients are solely nominated by individuals in the community who have submitted a letter of endorsement to support their nomination. Obtaining a nomination is not an easy feat; the honoree must be a male who has provided 10 years of community service in the City of Alexandria or be a native Alexandrian who has provided community service for at least 10 years in other parts of the country.
This year’s recipients are:
- City Councilor John Chapman
- Myron Contee
- Gary A. Jordan, Sr.
- Christopher Harris
- E. Todd Stubblefield
This year’s award program will take place on June 22 at 3 p.m. at the Victory Temple Missionary Baptist Church,2762 Duke Street, in Alexandria, VA. Zebra readers are encouraged to attend and congratulate the five honorees on this well-deserved achievement.
