Antwaun Banks shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Antwaun, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are about setting the tone for everything that follows. I start with quiet time—Salat, reflection, and gratitude—which grounds me before the demands of the day begin. From there, I review my schedule and priorities, making sure I’m focused on the most important tasks that will move my team and community forward. I also check in with messages and emails to see where I may need to provide immediate support.
I believe the way you start your day has a direct impact on how you lead, so I make sure those early moments balance personal clarity with intentional preparation to serve others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Antwaun Banks, and I am proud to say that I am a Product of the Projects. There was a time in my life when I took from my community, but by the grace of Allah, I was given a second chance—a chance to not only rebuild my own life but to add value back to the very same community I once took from. That second chance became the foundation for Product of the Project (POP), the organization I now lead as Founder and CEO.
POP was created to equip young people with the skills, confidence, and opportunities they need to succeed in life—especially those who grow up in neighborhoods where resources and role models are limited. What makes POP unique is our holistic approach. We don’t just prepare youth for the classroom; we prepare them for life. From POP College Tours, which expose students to higher education opportunities, to Safer Streets and Greener Futures, a program that trains young people in the trades, teaches them how to form an LLC, and provides access to the necessary equipment to start a business, POP has grown into both a support system and a movement.
Our impact extends beyond education and training. Through deliveries from the POP Community Pantry, the POP Turkey Drive that serves hundreds of families each holiday season, and the DeAndre Foote Scholarship Fund that invests directly in students’ futures, we are meeting immediate needs while also creating pathways for long-term success.
At its core, POP is about transformation—turning challenges into opportunities and showing young people that no matter where they come from, they can become leaders and change-makers in their own right. My story reflects that transformation, and through POP, I’m committed to helping the next generation write theirs.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe what breaks the bonds between people is often fear, mistrust, and the absence of opportunity. I know this personally—growing up in the projects, I saw how cycles of poverty and hopelessness could create division within families, neighbors, and entire communities. When pride, ego, or a lack of honest communication get in the way, relationships begin to fracture.
What restores them is humility and the willingness to truly listen. Effective communication, accountability, and the absence of pride allow people to come together with open hearts and minds. For me, Allah gave me a second chance, and I’ve committed my life to adding value back into the very community I once took from. Bonds are rebuilt when people replace ego with empathy, and when listening becomes just as important as speaking.
At the end of the day, relationships are restored when we choose connection over division, and when we turn struggle into service. That’s not just a belief—it’s my personal testimony.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me lessons that success alone never could. It showed me resilience, humility, and the value of second chances. When you’ve endured loss, pain, or struggle, you learn empathy you begin to see people for who they are and not just what they have. Success can make you comfortable, but suffering shapes your character. Without the suffering, I wouldn’t have the strength or clarity to lead today or the ability to truly see and serve the very community I once took from. That’s a lesson no amount of success could ever give me.
For me, suffering revealed that every setback can be a setup for something greater. It reminded me that faith, patience, and perseverance matter more than titles or accomplishments. Success celebrates outcomes, but suffering refines the soul and it’s in that refinement that true purpose is found.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire the character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His life was an example of humility, compassion, and justice. He led not through power or force, but through service, mercy, and an unwavering commitment to truth. What inspires me most is how he treated people—the poor, the orphaned, the marginalized—with dignity and care, reminding us that true strength lies in kindness and integrity.
For me, his character is a constant reminder that leadership is not about position or authority, but about serving others and living by values that uplift the entire community.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, I’ve experienced that. Early in life, I chased things I thought would bring satisfaction—money, status, and the illusion of success—but none of it gave me peace. At the time, I didn’t realize that when you take from your community instead of adding to it, whatever you gain will never truly fulfill you.
It was only after I found Islam that I learned real satisfaction comes from purpose,serving others, building trust, and creating opportunities for people who come from the same streets I did. What I once thought was success left me empty; what I now know as service has filled me with meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://PRODUCTOFTHEPROJECT.ORG
- Instagram: @Productoftheproject
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/antwaun-banks-b1b97b135
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17YHgMFBbo/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Whiplash Photography
