“Hey Teddy! How are you this morning?” greeted Antonio Brown, a safety and cleanliness supervisor at Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, known as the park where everyone recognizes him. Antonio Brown is a well-known figure in Federal Hill.
Expressing his fondness for people and animals, Brown mentioned, “They took me in like family. They keep asking me if I’m coming back. I’m not going anywhere.” Park visitors often refer to Brown as a dog whisperer.
Addressing a familiar park visitor, Brown asked, “You alright scratchy? I know I haven’t seen you in a couple days.” His dedication to giving back to the community contrasts with his past of taking from it.
Reflecting on his troubled past, Brown shared, “It was fast money. I started smoking when I was 11, started drinking when I was 9. Sooner or later I was wondering, there has to be a better life than this.” His early exposure to drugs shaped much of his upbringing.
Recalling his upbringing, Brown revealed, “What I saw in the street, it was normal because it was in my household. My mother showed me how to cook crack, my grandfather taught me how to cut heroin. It was just a lifestyle I was brought into.” His involvement in the drug trade eventually led to his own addiction.
Transitioning from his tumultuous past, Brown acknowledged, “It isn’t just getting the drugs out your system. It’s getting it out your mind. When they say you have to change the people, place and things, it’s the truth. But I never thought of it, going back and forth from prison.” Seeking redemption, Brown entered a rehabilitation facility, though the path to recovery proved challenging.
Following intensive treatment programs, Brown faced uncertainty about his future, admitting, “They were like your time is up Mr. Brown. I’ve been in the streets for more than 40 years. I need more than the program.” His aspirations for his children to lead wholesome lives free from the drug culture motivate his pursuit of becoming a peer recovery coach.
Emphasizing the impact of his experiences, Brown shared, “What I might say, might save somebody’s life. I had some people say to me why do you talk about it? Why don’t you just forget about that life? I can’t forget about that life, it’s pain.” Over the past four years, he has focused on spreading positivity and looking ahead to brighter prospects.
Reflecting on his transformation, Brown remarked, “I didn’t see any of this. I couldn’t see as far as that next pole. I wouldn’t say it’s a shame that it took me this long to figure out what I wanted to do. But I did. Now that the door is open, I can see way past that pole.”