Antoine M. Thompson is the Executive Director of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers the largest organization of African American real estate professionals in the United States. He is a partner with Creative PMO Solutions, a consulting firm that focuses on diversity, inclusion and advocacy work. He is also a licensed real estate agent with Howard Hanna.
Thompson is a staunch champion of fair-housing and community re-investment by local and national financial institutions. He has also enjoyed a significant public service career in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. He was elected to Buffalo City Council in 2001 and 2003, and to the New York State Senate in 2004 and 2008 and served as the Senate Deputy Majority Whip in 2019. Antoine was ranked on the Swanepoel Power 200 list as one of the most influential and powerful leaders and executives in the residential real estate brokerage industry.
What legacy are you leaving for your children and the children of your community?
I have worked to restore parks and playgrounds and funded youth programs. I read to kids at schools, and at my job, we have a Youth Academy that teaches them about financial literacy and entrepreneurship. My legacy for my kids is helping them become better than me spiritually, personally, and economically.
From a father’s perspective, what two books would you recommend every child read?
The Bible and Dr. Suess.
Why is it important to expose children to education and valuable skills?
Education is vital to the personal and professional development of your children. It helps them create a thirst for knowledge and information.
As a father and a life coach, describe your playbook.
I listen, learn and try to lead my children down the right path. I try to motivate them. Sometimes I share my opinions so that can have [the] information they may want to hear because ultimately it is their life. My goal is to provide wise and instructive counsel and coach my kids in a way that helps them stay well grounded and successful personally, professionally, and spiritually.
Which fatherhood experiences have taught you the most about yourself?
Learning that you don’t have all the answers, talking with other fathers about raising children, and learning how hard it was for my mom raising three boys as mostly a single parent.
Finish the sentence: Never give up on yourself because …
God will never give up on you.
What are your primary goals as a father?
My top fatherhood goal is seeing that my daughter Deja and son Joseph graduate from college and have good careers. My other goal is leaving them a sizable inheritance.
