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Influencer
Posted By Jaymi Butler

Introduction

Antwaun Wells was born in St. Petersburg, but when he moved to Atlanta at age 18, he never thought he'd return. However, he always had a sense that he was somehow needed here. After an accident in 2007 involving several members of his family, including his daughter and his mother, he knew that St. Pete was where he needed to be. And it turned out St. Pete needed him, too.

Fast forward 13 years and Wells is now active in a number of local organizations and is serving his second term as president of The Deuces Live, an organization dedicated to revitalizing the historic 22nd St. South district where he grew up. He's living proof that sometimes, there really is no place like home.

Years in St. Pete

31

Organizations involved in

Servant at All National Church God By Faith, board member of Next STEPP Pregnancy Center, supervisor at Habitat for Humanity and member of ACT Right, among other organizations.

What gets you out of bed every day?

God gets me out of bed every day to do His will, which is to fulfill my purpose for my life and to serve him by serving his people, family being first. I get out of bed every day to provide for my wife and daughter and my extended family, in whatever capacity necessary. Then I get out of bed every day to serve my community by providing resources and solutions to help them be better today than yesterday.

Why St. Pete?

In January 2007, my daughter, mother and cousins were in a life-threatening car accident. After going from Atlanta to Shands Hospital in Gainesville for three months, my daughter was released to come home to St. Pete to recover from a fractured skull. In March 2007, I decided there was nothing in Atlanta that was more important to my family. In April, I left my home and my job in Atlanta to serve and support my family here in St. Pete. Little did I know that God had a plan for me to also support and serve the community.

What is one habit that you keep?

Stay positive and productive. If you don’t do good for yourself and someone else, you’re good for nothing.

Who are some people that influence you?

I’m influenced by everyone I meet. Everyone has positive and negative characteristics. I use them all in a positive way to make me a better person and help others. Specific influences are my family, Tony Macon and Carl Lavender.

What is one piece of insight - a book, methodology, practice - that you would share with our readers?

Spend your time wisely perfecting your gifts, skills and talents. Whatever you spend most of your time doing, you’ll be good at.

What is one thing you wish you knew about your work 3 years ago?

I wish I knew about unlimited, unrestricted funding sources.

What’s next?

I plan to continue to network with more organizations to make a bigger impact on revitalizing our community.

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