CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Editor's note: This story is a part of our "Making A Mark" series.
Anthony Owens, a Chesapeake resident, said life has been an uphill journey. He outlines how he has managed to prevail in tough circumstances throughout his life in his memoir.
"I've experienced a lot of trauma in my life," said Owens, who was raised in poverty in Brooklyn, NY.
Today, Owens is a retired Navy veteran and said he was able to overcome the odds stacked against him since childhood.
"I did not allow it to define or defeat me as a person," Owens said.
Now, he is helping other people persevere through his memoir, Syrup Sandwiches. Owens said he chose the title to highlight the challenging circumstances he endured growing up.
"I was raised by a single parent, and we struggled financially," Owens said. "We often made sandwiches that were made out of condiments, like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and syrup."
However, Owens said his book isn't about food but choosing not to give up when facing life's struggles.
He said many of the issues addressed in the book can be found in some underrepresented communities.
"[I address] domestic abuse, single parenting, fatherlessness, poverty, and bullying, Owens said.
He hopes conversations surrounding these topics will encourage people from all communities to triumph over trauma.
"You can still do and be anything you want to do or be in life as long as you stay focused," Owens said. "It's all about internally being able to withstand a lot of trauma, a lot of difficulties, a lot of terrible situations, and not allow that to take you down."
Syrup Sandwiches is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Owens also wrote a children's book about bullying called Raw Power.