Joshua T. Berglan, known globally as The World’s Mayor, returns to the media spotlight with his first interview in months. His guest, Antwyne DeLonde, is a trailblazing innovator whose journey from a humble cash vault teller to Wall Street, and now to founding Vision X, is nothing short of remarkable.
Vision X, an ecosystem leveraging blockchain, AI, and financial literacy, is transforming underserved communities worldwide. Antwyne’s story is not just about professional success; it’s about using his expertise to empower the undervalued and overlooked.
The Full Antwyne DeLonde Interview
Joshua T. Berglan: Antwyne, thank you for being here. How are you today?
Antwyne DeLonde: Joshua, thank you so much. That was a great intro, and again, I’m just happy to be here with you as you get back on the saddle, and we can do this together. So, I’m looking forward to this.
Q1: What are you grateful for today and why?
I’m grateful for my son, who just turned 15 on Tuesday. It makes me feel old at 42 to know I have a 15-year-old, but what really makes me grateful is seeing how thriving and determined he is. My wife and I have worked hard to put him in the best situation possible, and I’m thrilled for family and for the work I’m doing to empower the undervalued and overlooked.
Q2: Your rise from a cash vault teller to Wall Street feels almost cinematic. If your journey were a movie, what would the title be, and who would play you?
The title would be Where Am I Going?
because in life, we often don’t know our purpose starting out. My journey from the cash vault to being a financial advisor, to running my portfolio, and now being a fintech founder is something I couldn’t have planned—it was sheer purpose. Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things would play me because he embodies my spirit and drive.
Q3: You thrived during the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis. What’s the craziest moment you experienced during that time, and what did it teach you about survival?
Starting as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch in 2007, I saw the CEO, Stan O’Neal, ousted overnight. It was surreal and showed me that even giants can crumble without diligence. It was a scary time, but it taught me the importance of adaptability and staying grounded amidst chaos.
Q4: Collaborating with NBA legends like Walt Williams must have come with some interesting experiences. What’s one behind-the-scenes moment that completely blew your mind?
Walt is unmatched in integrity and loyalty. He was my strength through challenges, and his grace and humility are rare. Working with him wasn’t just a privilege; it was inspiring. Even though I transitioned to follow my purpose, we’re still in contact, and I admire him deeply.
Q5: Vision X is dismantling systemic inequities. If you could wave a magic wand and fix one global inequity instantly, which would it be and why?
Finance. Without financial access, education, healthcare, and technology remain out of reach. Vision X uses blockchain and AI to break these barriers and create sustainable impact, helping communities thrive.
Q21: If this were your final interview, what’s the one truth you’d leave the world with?
Job well done. I want to know that I’ve fulfilled my purpose and left the world better than I found it.