By Priscilla Rodriguez
From LL Cool J to New England Patriots player Asante Samuel, celebrity entertainment manager and sports agent Glenn Toby’s success resonates with everyone he’s worked with.
But, he’s reached beyond the world of entertainment and sports. Toby has brought his success to another level by providing help to the homeless with education through books.
Toby founded the Book Bank Foundation in 1997 in an attempt to help increase literacy and knowledge for homeless and inner-city children. Toby believes that a lack of education and illiteracy are the first steps toward homelessness, drug abuse and several other problems, which cause individuals to be kept behind economically, spiritually and emotionally.
“When I was homeless as a child, I would go to the library,” Toby recalls since he was unable to afford such activities as going to the movies. “Books were where I would put most of my energy.”
The Book Bank Foundation has performed over 450,000 hours of community service since its beginning. Along with providing tutoring and career development, Toby’s Book Bank Foundation also performs special projects like community tours with celebrity figures.
On March 10, the Book Bank Foundation kicked off its first annual community tour with hip-hop star Tony Yayo of G-Unit.
“In the full scope of things, Tony was able to convey an interest,” Toby said when asked how having a celebrity helped to promote the importance of literacy. Toby also pointed out how people tend to speak at children instead of to them. What they need in order to actually listen to advice is to be spoken to, and Tony Yayo was able to do just that.
Along with his various other projects, Toby has come together with Lifestyle Apparel Company, ECC to launch a new clothing line. The brand will be known as “The Maverick” and “The Deal Maker.”
“My line is inspired by my life, life experiences and my life style,” Toby said.
In valuing the importance of giving back, ECC is supporting Toby’s Book Bank Foundation. The suits being produced, which normally would be very expensive, have been made to be cost effective.
In his effort to battle homelessness, Toby has been putting together a short documentary film called “Return to Sender.” The documentary will provide information on homelessness and what it’s like for the homeless to survive day to day. The film will take its audience across the country and show the outcome of homelessness. It is Toby’s directorial debut and will feature all sorts of people, from lawyers to athletes, to single mothers and fathers. The film is due to finish up this year and will make its debut at the Baltimore Film Festival.