Antoine’s Story

Taken from a letter in 2014

It is with pleasure that I present to you, together with Mrs. Cathy De Schouwer, my “Crossover Mission.”  I thank all of our supporters and participants in advance for your consideration and time, and I hope the community will find this program to be meaningful and impactful.

I am a native of Gifford, born into a family that emphasized education and hard work. I lived with my father and twin brother until eleven years of age, in a strict, tightly controlled household, with severe consequences for low academic success and poor behavior. Although many things felt harsh and the control unnecessary during that time, this foundation would prove helpful later in life. Unknown to me at the time, my father was not only a successful businessman, but also the leader of a drug ring that stemmed from Vero to Miami.  When I was eleven, he was arrested and sentenced to 31 years to life in prison, as were several uncles, aunts, and cousins who were involved.  My brother and I were left with our mother, who didn’t have the same resources and had five kids to support.  We were surrounded by family members who provided little supervision and support, and became products of our environment – we learned to do whatever was necessary to protect ourselves and to survive at a young age.

One good thing remained constant.  Basketball.  My twin brother Haven and I played often and whenever possible.  We were good.  Opportunities came through basketball, including life-changing college opportunities,  but were lost because of a lack of guidance, support, and direction, poor attitudes, shame, and bad advice. It was a low and hopeless time after high school.  I got lost in it, and lawlessness took over.  So went the cycle again.  I began selling drugs.  Women.  It was not the life I ever imagined for myself.

I had a transformational experience several years ago, as I lay face down with a gun to my head.  I prayed to God that if he would spare me, I would change my life.  He did spare me.  And there began a new direction and the real purpose of my life.  No more dealing drugs.  I walked away from all violent networks.  I took no more revenge.  I stopped the cycle despite great resistance from friends and family.  In the black culture, you are not a man if you let someone get one up on you without retaliation.  Despite the pressure to be a man and to live up to the image, I stood firm in my promise.  I made peace with my enemies while many eyes were watching me.  I became a real father to my son and daughter.  I refocused on my job and worked hard to better myself.  I joined a church.  I married the mother of my children.

I have continued to play basketball, officiate, and coach.  It is the great passion of my life.  I hope to make a difference in the lives of misdirected young lives like mine, through Crossover Mission.  The significance of the name is in the double meaning.  In basketball, the crossover is an effective offensive technique which involves faking to one side to throw the defender off and make space for a move.  In my life, the crossover represents the transition to a better, God-centered life.  It represents a crossover from a low mentality to principled living.  From weakness to strength.  From poverty to stability.  From hate to love.  From self-centered to community centered.