Written By JR Robinson

In the late 1980s, a young Antonio Futch looked around his neighborhood and saw a world where opportunity was scarce and survival was the primary ambition. By his sophomore year, he had attended six different schools. He watched friends disappear into the juvenile justice system or arguably worse—into the cemeteries that dot the city. He saw a cycle where unsupervised time and limited resources led to tragic ends. But amidst the chaos of "the trenches," Antonio saw something else: he saw what was missing.

He didn't need a lecture; he needed a map. He didn't need saving; he needed exposure.

Today, Antonio Futch is no longer that kid wondering if there is a way out. He is a Marine Corps Sergeant, a graduate of Christian Brothers University, a successful serial entrepreneur, and most importantly, a father and educator. He stands as living proof of a simple, powerful philosophy: Exposure Yields Opportunity.

"I realized that I didn't see myself as who I was, but who I could be," Futch recalls of his time in the Marines. That shift in perspective—fueled by meeting people from around the world and seeing life beyond his block—changed everything. Now, he is fighting to give that same gift of perspective to every teenager in Memphis.

The Place Where Teens and Dreams Meet Futch founded The Teen Expo to be the bridge he wished he had. It is more than an organization; it is a critical piece of civic infrastructure. In a city where our youth are often discussed in the context of crime statistics or systemic failure, The Teen Expo offers a tangible solution. It connects students in grades 7 through 12 with mentors, internships, and real-world experiences that ignite a growth mindset.

Whether it’s placing a teen on a tour with a national recording artist or connecting a student with a business mentor, The Teen Expo is about breaking the silo of poverty and isolation. It is about showing a child that they are an asset, not a liability.

Why We Need This Now "We have made more progress in identifying juvenile crime rather than preventing it," Futch says. It is a haunting truth. The stakes couldn't be higher. Futch describes himself as a "civic engineer," and his blueprint is clear: if you show a child a future they can love, they will build it.

The Teen Expo is the hub where those blueprints are drawn. It is where the community comes together—educators, business owners, and neighbors—to say, "We are still here in the trenches with you."

Antonio Futch is leading the charge, but he cannot hold the line alone. His mission is a call to action for every business owner and citizen in Memphis. It is a reminder that the future of our city isn't written in policy meetings; it is written in the opportunities we create for the young people standing right in front of us.

The question isn't whether Memphis has talent. The question is whether we will provide the exposure that talent needs to thrive. With Antonio Futch and The Teen Expo, the answer is a resounding "Yes."