Meet Anthony D. Mays | Founder & Career Coach, Morgan Latimer Consulting

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony D. Mays and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I became a software engineer at Google, I had underestimated just how meaningful an accomplishment that actually was. I learned six months later when Google released their first annual diversity report that I had become one of the 1% of employees who were Black and in a technical role. That’s when I realized that I needed to do something to help move the needle for individuals and companies like Google.

I started Morgan Latimer Consulting in 2018 in order to provide interview and career coaching to people looking to excel in their tech careers. From the very beginning, I wanted to honor the legacy of Black history by naming the company after two of my favorite inventors: Garrett A. Morgan and Lewis H. Latimer.

My business continues to fill a great need in the tech industry, and I’m hopeful that we’ll continue to scale up our impact in the coming years.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Morgan Latimer Consulting provides interview preparation and career consulting services to individuals and on behalf of organizations. I started this because I realized that people like me—a black former foster kid and abuse survivor from Compton and first generation college graduate—didn’t have the same access to knowledge and network that enabled others to more easily navigate career paths to top companies like Google or Amazon or Meta.

Given that tech is a huge opportunity generator in the world today, I felt that something needed to be done to ensure that other folks from underrepresented backgrounds didn’t have to also learn by the failures I had experienced throughout my career. Combined with the push in recent years to diversity tech ranks, I sensed a chance to provide unique impact in the industry.

I started my business in 2018 while employed at Google. It just so happens that I was serving jury duty one week near the County Clerk’s office, so I filled out the paperwork for a fictitious business name and then went across the street to get a business license. I quickly scrapped together a website on WordPress and used social media to announce that I was now in the coaching business. Within a few months, I had already helped a couple of clients land offers at major tech companies through my interview prep.

I’m passionate about the work that I do because I see it as part of a continuum and legacy of innovation started by underrepresented folks long ago. Whether we’re talking about black, Latinx, or women, we sometimes forget that these heritages have already included many innovators. It’s just that recent generations have been excluded from opportunity and has faced barriers at nearly every turn.

My goal is to help empower talented people from all backgrounds with quality coaching services so that they can bring new innovations to the world at whatever company they choose, if not their own. I also work on behalf of organizations to help them find, attract, and retain this talent.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Personally, I love starting out at Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles. Practically down the street from LAX at the Manchester location and provides the right LA vibe with the food and service. There’s a history and pride there that is unique us. Then, we’d bounce to Santa Monica Pier to enjoy the beach life for a bit. I always get a kick out of folks visiting our beaches for the first time. That’ll get them hooked!

One thing I always insist on is a Downtown LA tour, but not just the nice part with the skyscrapers, library, and Walt Disney Concert Hall. I also like to go through the fashion and toy districts and eventually end up at Skid Row. My grandmother would bring our family to serve food and participate in Bible studies with the homeless every week when I was a kid. Seeing that part of LA helped me to learn compassionate service towards others. My guests are often shocked by the level of homelessness. They’ve never seen anything like it.

When in LA, you have to enjoy the varied cuisine we offer. Of course we’re gonna do Mexican food, and I’m a big fan of Los Compadres in Norwalk. But there’s also a phenomenal Thai place called Renu Nakorn that’s also in the city that is a favorite spot for me and my family.

Last but not least, I know folks want to see a little bit of Hollywood so I’ll drive around the Walk of Fame and let them soak that in. With enough time, I also like to visit Universal CityWalk. There’s plenty of decent stores and restaurants to check out without having to go all the way in the park.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I praise God and my hero Christ Jesus for the amazing grace I’ve received in my life. I also honor my foster parents who raised me and my two brothers in Compton and encouraged me to pursue my path in technology.

Website: https://anthonydmays.com

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/anthonydmays

Twitter: https://twitter.com/anthonydmays

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@anthonydmays

Image Credits
Brittany Loyd Stevie Chandamany