Meet Memphian No. 215: Anthony Siracusa
Meet Memphian No. 215: Anthony Siracusa
Meet Memphian no. 215 (of 365), Anthony Siracusa. Anthony is a community activist, bicycle polo player and friend to all. Here, he answers my questions about his work, his favorite Memphis secrets and his karaoke preferences:
Name: Anthony C. Siracusa
Occupation: Community Service Coordinator, Rhodes College
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Neighborhood: Binghamton
My favorite song by a Memphis band is: "I Liked Your Rough Draft Better" by Pezz.
In the next five years, I would like to see Memphis: with 500 miles of bike lanes and Interconnected greenlines along the Wolf River, Chelsea Avenue, and in South Memphis. I'd like also like to see the continued growth of a strong movement of citizens who are committed to developing and supporting political leadership that understands the needs withing neighborhoods and can draft policy aimed at making our neighborhoods great places to live, work and play.
Tell me something I don’t know: I love to sing Bob Seeger at karaoke bars.
I’m working on: improving political engagement, especially among young people, in Memphis. My inspiration for this comes from watching my very best friends pursue creative jobs across the country.
My goal is to support young people in pursuing their dreams for Memphis - projects that make the community healthier, safer, and more culturally vibrant. Specifically, I want to illuminate those places where someone's dream intersects with public policy, ensuring that political leadership and public policy does not limit the growth of a cool project (urban farm, small business, renewal of blighted space) but instead nurtures community innovation.
When I’m not working, I: play bicycle polo, travel to places near and far, plan the next bicycle tour, eat at Pho Hoa Binh, and work with bicycle advocacy organizations at the state, local and national level.
When I was little, I wanted to be: a veterinarian. But now my head swims at the mere sight of blood.
The best thing about working with students is: for Rhodes students specifically - their drive, ambition, their vision, their energy, their optimism, their courage, their commitment to making the world a better place, and their deep desire to know more, write more, think more, and be more (to steal a quote from Dr. Leigh Johnson).
My favorite Memphis secret is: I'm not sure how secret this is - but I love riding bikes along the protected sidewalk over the "old" (I-55) bridge and exploring the dirt roads in Crittendon County, Arkansas.
I’m known for my: tendency to be "preachy" at times, my inability to remember everything I need before locking the front door of my house, my commitment to ride a bike everywhere.
Life would be better if: walking and biking were as common as hopping in a car. And if there were more public water parks in Memphis.
I love Memphis because: the people I've met here - even after traveling across the world - are as sincere and talented and hospitable and caring and energetic and fun as anyone anywhere. People say hi freely and warmly, they feed you, they buy you beer, and the average Memphian will give you the shirt off of their back. Memphis is a place where I feel welcome, appreciated, and cared for.
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