This post is part of an ongoing Black History Month series written by Marcus Harden, a pillar of the South Seattle community and a truly unsung hero, as he honors the living legacy of Black history in his neighborhood and beyond, and recognizes the people who are shaping the future.

By Marcus Harden

#BlackHistoryToday7

As kids, we are often told to follow our dreams. As parents, we often tell our children to chase their dreams. Somewhere in between, though, we begin preaching practicality and reality and a part of us dies.

One person who lives his dreams in a way that is unapologetic and to his own beat is Anthony Rose. Anthony embodies the notion that only those whom dare to chase their dreams are bold enough to catch them.

How so? By moving to Los Angeles and stepping out on faith. Being unrelenting in living by his values of honesty, presenting his culture in a meaningful way and holding true to the arts of photography, film, poetry and the other mediums he brilliantly manages.

Meaning often times being questioned on his path or his method. People taking advantage of his heart and passion for other people. Yet never allowing those things to turn his mind or heart cold.

His vision not only as an artist, but as a community advocate and friend, are equally incredible attributes. He is truly the person who will give you the shirt off of his back. If you need a couch to sleep on, if it means he has to be overdrawn for you to share his last $20, he does it without blinking an eye.

As “success” begins to find him, his fingerprints on recent film releases, red carpet parties and the very companies that turned him down are now asking to work with him. Fame or Hollywood won’t change him, but he will undoubtedly continue to change them.

He takes incredible joy in making sure that when he climbs, everyone else climbs with him. His selflessness, compassion and vision — not only for himself, but for others — are why I’m honored to call him Brother and friend, and why “Ant Rose” is Black history, today.