Anton J. Gunn is a well-respected speaker who has been featured in print, on television, on the radio, and in front of live audiences both domestically and internationally.

He is recognized as one of the top under-forty community leaders in America. His career spans more than a decade of doing grassroots, community-driven political leadership development work. From beginning his career as a college football player turned community organizer, Anton has reached the highest levels of leadership in politics and organizational management. Anton has used his skills and experience to become one of the strongest voices for empowerment, leadership and change in America.

Anton has worked with leadership executives in education, health care, economic development, and the telecommunications industries. He has assisted businesses, local government and state leaders, and even President Barack Obama.

Anton has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The State Newspaper, and Time magazine hailed him as “a Leader in Obama’s Grassroots Army.” He also has appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CNN’s “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer,” “Your World with Neil Cavuto,” and “CBS Evening News.” In 2009, Anton was the focus of an international news documentary produced by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (also known as NHK).

Anton is also a public servant. In 2008, Anton was elected to serve in the South Carolina House of Representatives. Anton is the first African American leader in history to represent his district.

Prior to his election, Anton was the state political director for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign in South Carolina. Anton’s role was to provide political leadership and guidance to then-Senator Obama during the South Carolina Democratic primary election. As a result of Anton’s work, Obama was successful, winning 55 percent of the vote in the primary election.

Anton's thirteen years of professional experience has garnered him recognition as one of the top under-forty community leaders in America in 2006. His list of honors and achievements include Class of 2011 Liberty Fellowship, 2008 Community Change Champion Award, Center for Community Change; Consumer Health Advocate of the Year, Families USA, 2007; Southern Rural Development Initiative, 2006 Top Ten in the South Honoree; Alumni of the Year, University of South Carolina College of Social Work, 2006; 2001 Faculty Award, University of South Carolina College of Social Work; 2001 Student of the Year, 2000 Emerging Leader, National Congress for Community Economic Development.

Anton J. Gunn is the president of Top Gunn Associates, LLC, a South Carolina-based consulting firm. Top Gunn Associates works hand-in-hand with clients to develop and implement winning strategies for leadership development, management, politics, advocacy, organization empowerment, and education.

Anton holds a B.A. in History (1994) and a Master of Social Work (2001) from the University of South Carolina, where he lettered in Division I college football. Anton is a member of the National Speakers Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He resides in Columbia, South Carolina, with his family.