Anthony Murdock II is a purpose-driven, action-oriented, servant leader and proud product of Indianapolis, IN. He’s a JD Candidate at the IU McKinney School of Law and works in the law school’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Murdock is also the Founder of Murdock LLC and Co-Founder of Power Moves Only, Inc. He’s in the business of becoming the greatest “powerpreneur” Indianapolis has ever seen.
The 1828 Leadership Project, presented by Citizens Energy Group, is a civic leadership tract for Indy’s young leaders with the goal of fostering intentional relationships with a cross sector of Indianapolis’ thought leaders and decision makers. Anthony is a part of 1828’s Class X– learn more about him below!
How do you spend your days? For example, you can tell us about your career, side hustle or exercise routine whatever you want to share here we’re ready to listen.
I spend my days empowering communities to leverage their influence. In a pandemic, that means: lots of virtual conversations on Google Meet, filling notebooks with ideas that I can’t read because my handwriting is terrible, and late night epiphanies that turn into early morning motivation…to enter into another Google Meet.
Are you a native to Indianapolis?
Yes, I grew up in Lawrence Township.
You’re off the clock, there are no expectations. What are you doing?
Sitting on my front porch in my Black rocking chair, listening to Gunna, eating my Smoking Chic pizza from The Missing Brick, thinking about how to Make It Make $ense next Thursday.
When thinking about the future of Indianapolis, what are you most looking forward to in the next 5 years and why?
I’m looking forward to the development, not displacement, of everything that is beautiful, bold and Black on (and of) Indiana Avenue. That means, I’m looking forward to The Avenue growing into a place that celebrates the legacy of Madam Walker by singing praises of the Modern Day Madam’s: the Black women of Indianapolis who continue to break barriers through innovation. I am looking forward to this the most because I am tired of telling history; it’s time for herstory’s future to be written, remembered and never forgotten.
Are there any local causes that you support? What are they and how might others learn more or get involved?
“I’m rooting for everybody that’s Black.” – Issa Rae To get learn more and/or get involved, follow @reclaimindianaavenue, @allblackindy, @shopblackindy and @murdockllc.
Do you have a favorite local place in town (restaurant, bar, park, etc.) that you love going to? Where is it and why should other people try it out?
My favorite local place in town is my home, but I don’t want people to visit there as it would no longer be my favorite place. After my home, my favorite destinations are: Tea’s Me Cafe, Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe and Ced’s Boxing Academy. Tea’s Me and Cleo’s are great spaces for meetings and small events. I also consider them safe spaces for Black innovators to give birth to their next best idea. Ced’s Boxing Academy (CBA) is the boxing gym I go to every Tuesday morning. People should stop by CBA because punching a bag filled with sand is more productive (and less expensive) than punching a whole in the wall when you become frustrated that we’re navigating two pandemics in our present: COVID19 and Racism in 2020. Tea’s Me is on 22nd and Penn/Delaware, Cleo’s is on the Near Northwest side, and Ced’s Boxing Academy is in Castleton. Folks should patronize these spaces because they are Black-owned establishments that continue to contribute to the Indianapolis Community.
Indianapolis is a sprawling city, what’s your favorite part about our city?
The People. …and the food. But mostly, The People.
If you were a superhero what would be your special trait? Why?
My special trait would be time management. This would be my special trait because everything in life seems to take too long or is not long enough. I want to be able to enjoy things for what they are, and I think that comes with having the supernatural ability to manage the one thing in life that’s quite literally out of our control.
You’re hosting your own music festival with three artists – Who’s performing?
Fred Hammond x Meek Mill x Double A (AKA Aaron Marshall, 1828 Leadership Project Alum and owner of Naptown Thrift!)
If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?
No Weapon by Fred Hammond. That song got me through the worst season of my life.
Mornings or evenings? And why?
Mornings, because everyday above ground is a blessing and new mornings mean new blessings.
How do you define success?
Personal, inclusive and purpose-driven. #powermovesonly
What would you name the autobiography of your life? Feel free to give us context here.
I’d name it “#WeMustInvestInOurOwn” for three reasons. First, hashtags have become a form of storytelling for brands and businesses, and it’s due in large part to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. The story of so many people are being told through hashtags, and I’d want my autobiography to honor their legacies because Murdock is about #WE and not me and theirs not a moment I spend not thinking about us. Second, the phrase “we must invest in our own” has lead and guided my growth and development in the powerpreneurial/innovation space since I realized who I was in the space. Lastly, the phrase is a call to action for the people I serve. The Black dollar leaves the Black community in six hours; yet, the world capitalizes on our capital to make capital. That doesn’t sit right with me and this phrase calls out that systematic inequity and cultural calamity while challenging us to think differently about the pricelessness of Blackness.
