TAMPA, Fla. – Anthony Gilbert knows the streets of Tampa—because he grew up on them. He’s seen firsthand what it’s like for families to struggle, for businesses to fight to survive, and for neighborhoods to be overlooked.
Now, he’s using those same streets—and the power of social media—to change the narrative.
Combining grassroots hustle with digital influence, Gilbert has built a pipeline that’s helping Tampa’s small businesses thrive—especially those in Black and minority communities that often get left behind.
His Instagram page, @callanthony_, isn’t just about posting food pictures—it’s become a trusted resource that’s driving customers to businesses that need it most.
The result? Real dollars, real growth, and real hope.
And what’s working here in Tampa is quickly becoming a blueprint other communities could follow.
Roots in the Community, Eyes on the Future
Gilbert’s drive to uplift others is personal. Born and raised in Tampa, he grew up in tough circumstances, navigating instability, family struggles, and life in the system. By the age of 16, he was out on his own—figuring out how to survive in the same neighborhoods he’s helping uplift today.
“I learned a lot from growing up here—about what people need and what it takes to make it,” Gilbert said. “That’s what drives me now. I’m trying to give people the support I know can make a difference.”
Grassroots Meets Social Media – The Pipeline Effect
What makes Gilbert’s work so powerful is his approach—it’s raw, real, and rooted in the community. He doesn’t wait for press releases or PR campaigns. He listens to the streets, his followers, and his gut.
“Sometimes I’ll see a spot and just pull up. Other times, people DM me like, ‘Anthony, you need to check this place out.’ I trust the community—they know what’s good,” he said.
That combination—boots-on-the-ground grassroots work, paired with the reach of social media—has created something special: a referral pipeline that’s driving customers right to Tampa’s small businesses.
And when Gilbert posts, people don’t just like it—they show up.
Greedy Lee’s BBQ – Proof That It Works
Just ask Greedy Lee’s BBQ, a family-run barbeque spot that was putting out great food but struggling to get noticed. Gilbert walked in, ordered a plate, and posted it. What happened next was bigger than anyone expected.
“Their business jumped over 3,000% after that post,” Gilbert said. “And they’re still busy and growing.”
Customers started traveling from all over Tampa—and even from other states—because they saw his post. That’s the pipeline in action. Grassroots hustle, social media reach, and community trust—working together to change a business’s future.
Why Tampa’s Small Businesses Need This
For small businesses, especially in Tampa’s Black and minority communities, Gilbert’s work is more than helpful—it’s necessary.
The reality is tough:
60% of restaurants fail within their first year, and 80% close within five years (National Restaurant Association).
Black-owned businesses face even greater challenges, often lacking access to funding, marketing, and connections to reach a wider audience.
When these businesses close, it’s not just a loss of income—it’s a loss of culture, history, and community. Gilbert is fighting to keep those doors open.
More Than Food: Preserving History and Investing in Kids
Gilbert’s work extends beyond restaurant doors.
Take St. Peter Claver Catholic School, for example. Founded in 1894, it’s the oldest surviving historically Black primary school in Florida—a place that educated Black children during segregation when other doors were closed.
Now, the school is facing closure due to low enrollment. For Gilbert, saving it is as much about the future as it is about the past.
“That school is part of Tampa’s story,” he said. “But it’s not just history—it’s kids today who need a chance.”
Hardship to Hope: Inspiring the Next Generation
While Gilbert’s platform is helping businesses now, he’s also thinking about the kids watching.
Because he was one of them once.
“I want them to see me and know—you can come from struggle and still build something for yourself,” he said. “Your situation doesn’t define you.”
He’s already started visiting schools and plans to grow his work with local youth—using his story and platform to show that success is possible, no matter where you start.
A Blueprint for Tampa—and Beyond
What Gilbert is building here is bigger than one city.
Every community has small businesses fighting to stay open. Every neighborhood has kids who need to see that making it is possible. Gilbert is proving that grassroots hustle and social media—when used together—can be a tool for real change.
It’s working in Tampa. It could work anywhere.
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