Anthony D. Mays is a software engineer, speaker, DEI consultant, tech career coach and the founder of Morgan Latimer Consulting. He sat down with the Sentinel for an exclusive interview on his path from Compton to Google to owning a company that ensures a legacy for his children to succeed further–and faster–than him.
“Growing up in Compton in the late 80s, early 90s..everyone’s priority is how to get out,” he explained.
“I wasn’t terribly athletic and I couldn’t rap, but I did happen to notice that computers were this magical tool that people could use to do amazing things. I thought, this might be my ticket out. Now, of course, it’s important for me to come back and give to the community. I’ve never lived far from Compton. But that’s how it all started.”
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As a student of Emerson Middle School, Anthony was thrilled when Magic Johnson funded their new computer lab. It afforded him the opportunity to teach himself basic programming and coding in third grade.
“I didn’t realize the significance of what I was learning at the time. This is an important thing for me because having gone through the foster care system, [I felt] a loss of control. Combine that with bullying, I think I was grappling with not being able to control much. With coding, I could craft something that I owned and could create my future from that,” he said.
After a brief enrollment in Roosevelt Middle School next door, Anthony was privileged to attend an NFL YET (Youth Education Town), a charter middle school with state-of-the-art facilities partially funded by Michael Jackson and Garth Brooks.
“That’s where I really grew in my understanding of the internet and how to install software. But these charter school programs were always fighting for their existence, so they would have students represent the school to the City Council. I would show off my computer skills to them…so it was interesting starting to develop in the public eye,” he admitted.
With this, Anthony began understanding how storytelling and public speaking could enhance his career. During high school at CAMS (California Academy of Math and Science on the campus of CSU-Dominguez Hills), Anthony faced the doubt incurred by imposter syndrome.
“I started feeling like, maybe I don’t belong at this level.” This feeling carried through to UC Irvine, despite Anthony excelling both in and outside of school. By the time he was 26, he had crossed almost every single to-do on his career bucket list.
“I had a degree, was raising a family and bought a home, made more than my parents were ever able to,” he recalled. “But there was one more thing – to become a software engineer at Google.” In perfect kismet fashion, a Google recruiter reached out to Anthony on LinkedIn and he began preparing for an interview.
“I studied hard for two weeks, went into the interview, and bombed it. They still reached back two or three times, but I was afraid of failing again. My church had prayed before my interview. The feeling of carrying a community on your shoulders, it’s a real thing,” he said.
After being coached by the first Black woman software engineer at Google, he went in for a second interview. Toward the end of the interview, the employee was astonished that Anthony wasn’t accepted the first time.
During his time at Google, Anthony was able to better understand the need for diversity and equity inclusion (DEI).
“It’s not always about tech, it’s about people and being able to communicate. DEI is not an abstract concept. There are tangible experiences I’ve had that have shaped who I am because I could be inspired by someone who understood me and where I come from,” said Anthony.
The culmination of his experiences led him to create his own company, Morgan Latimer
Consulting, to increase Black representation within multiple industries, including tech. Named after Garrett A. Morgan and Lewis H. Latimer, Morgan Latimer Consulting pays homage to the two Black entrepreneurs who inspired his business model.
“America has often neglected and minimized the contribution of Black folks in this country, not just across tech. Instead of needing to look far and wide for talent, it’s time that America invested into us,” he argued.
“It’s an opportunity for Black folks to transform their fortunes by positively contributing to society in ways that we always have. My children will be able to go farther than me, faster.”
Learn more about Anthony and Margan Latimer Consulting at www.anthonydmays.com
