Dr. Ruben Anthony’s 19-year career in the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation culminated in the position of Deputy Secretary, overseeing 3,600 employees and a $3.5 billion budget. He’s been a disadvantaged business enterprise adviser to Milwaukee County, Milwaukee Sewerage District, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Dulles Airport in Washington D.C. and worked as a civil rights compliance consultant. He took the helm at the Urban League of Greater Madison in March.
Rank your Top 5 MCs. As a former “B-Boy” who grew up in New York, I can’t pick five. So here are my top 10.
- JayZ – The only rapper today that has a “True NY” Hip Hop beat. His style exemplifies true New York Rap and Hip Hop
- Biggie Smalls – Lyrical genius
- Run DMC – Hot sound and representing NY with authentic Hip Hop Style.
- Doug E Fresh – The first MC that I heard at a house party as a kid. I remember his flyers being posted all over Lennox Avenue in Harlem when the rap game had just started. Once you heard Doug E Fresh “spit it” if you have any soul you wanted to groove.
- Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff – Crazy metaphors that vividly describe urban life the way I remember it as a teenager. Summer time is still slamming (even though they are from Philly, they bring it.)
- LL Cool J – True Hip Hop artist bringing it strong like New York rappers do.
- The Grand Master Flash – The original mixologist. No one can mix like the Grand Master.
- Kool Herc – Kool Herc and the Zoo Lu Nation created the rap game.
- Sugar Hill Gang – Their sound took rap beyond the boundaries of New York.
- Snoop Dogg
Which motivates you more: doubters or supporters? Neither. In my current capacity, the greatest motivator for me is service. I can work with both doubters and supporters if they are trying to move the community forward.
I don’t mind doubters because the consideration of differences allows one to think critically about their work. Often your supporters may only tell you what you want to hear. However, I believe that leaders need a system of supporters. We all need someone to have our best interest in mind.
Do you prefer being called Black or African American? I have no preference, but I am proud to be both African and American. I understand the history of both terms and believe that the label African American is more respectful.
What three leaders in Madison under 50 have impressed you the most? Dr. Jerlando Jackson, Attorney Nia Trammell and Will Green. These are people that are excelling in their careers and are making a great contribution to the Madison Community.
What’s the biggest stumbling block in Madison to turning the corner on our racial disparities? Getting beyond talking, getting beyond the sensational news stories, getting beyond spectating and getting to action. This community has to make the investment necessary to make Madison the best community for all. It is to the advantage of the entire community. Improving the quality of life for those who suffer from disparities improves the quality of life of the Greater Madison community.
What are the top three priorities at this point in your life? God, family and service. I have been blessed abundantly and I want Madison to be a place where my children and other children of color will have equal opportunity to education, jobs, housing and life in general.
What advice would you give K-12 students who want to be a CEO like yourself one day? If you dare to dream you can be whatever you want to be. However, you also have to put in the work; “preparation + opportunity = achievement.” This formula has worked for so many of us. You need to know that education is the great equalizer, no matter where you come from you can dream beyond your circumstances. It also helps if you “outwork” your competition. Study hard, learn what is required to be an executive, and chart your course. Find a good mentor who will be brutally honest with you so that you may improve.
You just won the awards from National Urban League for most improved Urban League and Newcomer CEO of the year. What are your goals for your second year at the Urban League? My goal for the second year is to try to help someone every day. Whether it’s job placement, mentoring or supporting social justice, I hope that we can continue to help citizens in Madison find access to opportunities.
The City Council voted in favor of the Judge Doyle Square, but it ultimately fell through. Why did you support and advocate for the project? I supported this initiative because they were going to bring 400 jobs into the downtown. They had a track record of hiring minorities in their customer service area. Every day, someone walks into the Urban League of Greater Madison looking for a family-sustaining job. These are those types of jobs.
If you could spend time with only one these three, who would it be and why: T.D Jakes, President Obama, or Oprah? President Obama. He is the fulfillment of the African American dream and the one who broke the glass ceiling in the White House. His accomplishment demonstrates that anything is possible in America. He saved this country from free falling off of the economic cliff. I would love to know the critical factors that empowered him to dream beyond his circumstances.
How is the Urban League relevant to today’s youth? The Urban League of Greater Madison provides one-on-one and small group academic tutoring to help prepare youth for algebra and to expand their post-secondary educational options. The Schools of Hope program operates in 12 middle schools in three Dane County school districts.
If we did not provide these services many students would not have this academic support.
Our 21st Century Careers Program helps low-income, first-generation college students discover careers and higher education. Through a comprehensive curriculum youth receive academic support, explore college and career options, visit college campuses, and learn job skills and career pathways through summer career awareness internships. The 21st Century Careers Program operates in four Madison and two Sun Prairie middle schools.
These are transformative programs that are helping bring the best out in youths.
Which one of these shows is your favorite and why: Good times, The Bernie Mac Show, or Empire? I watched Good Times when I was a kid, but not any longer because I don’t like to watch reruns. I did enjoy the Bernie Mac Show and I have never watched Empire. Between the three shows Bernie Mac would be my favorite. He was a true comedic talent and extremely funny.
