In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Antonio Brown, entrepreneur, activist, and the first LGBTQ person of color elected to Atlanta’s City Council. From growing up with parents cycling in and out of prison to dropping out of high school at 15 to support his siblings, Antonio’s story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of possibility.

He opens up about surviving childhood trauma, carrying adult responsibilities far too young, and transforming pain into purpose. Antonio went on to build a nationally recognized fashion brand, raise millions in investment, and step into political leadership—using his platform to champion equity and justice for marginalized communities.

This conversation dives deep into the intersections of poverty, incarceration, identity, entrepreneurship, and public service, offering lessons in grit, faith, and self-belief.

Three Key Takeaways

• Resilience Through Adversity

Antonio’s early years—marked by incarceration, abuse, and poverty—shaped his drive to overcome obstacles and refuse the label of “statistic.”

• Faith as a Foundation

He shares how faith, even as small as a mustard seed, fueled his determination to build businesses, uplift communities, and keep going when the odds were stacked against him.

• From Survivor to Trailblazer

Antonio’s journey from Kroger bagger to fashion brand founder, and ultimately to City Council, illustrates how lived experience can be transformed into leadership and advocacy.

Why Listen

If you care about justice reform, breaking cycles of generational hardship, LGBTQ leadership, or the power of faith and perseverance, this episode will move and inspire you. Antonio’s life proves that no matter your beginnings, you can rise to leadership and create lasting impact.

Find Antonio Brown in these places:

Website: https://www.stirhouse.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stirhouseatlanta/

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This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father’s farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years.

You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here.

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If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces:

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Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word.

The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.