The Antonio “Puh Bear Charitable Foundation” was established in April 2022 to honor Antonio, our son, brother, cousin, friend, and a bright, thoughtful soul whose journey reminds us of the importance of understanding, belonging, and mental well-being. His life was filled with promise, curiosity, and love, but it was also marked by silent struggles that too many young people face without the tools or support they need or any access to them.
From early childhood, Antonio wrestled with questions no child should have to face alone, questions about his identity and self-acceptance. At just five years old, he struggled to understand his ethnicity, who he was, and where he fit in the world. He often worried that being identified as Black made him different in ways he did not yet have the words, safety, or emotional space to express. He believed that identifying as a white man would help him fit into the world, especially the one he envisioned for himself. Being Black felt like an obstacle for Antonio, one he did not know how to overcome, that weighed heavily on his mind. Behind his warm smile and academic brilliance, there were quiet fears, deep anxiety, depression, and a tender heart working tirelessly to understand his identity and his place in the world.
Our family poured love, reassurance, and affirmation into him, doing everything we knew to help him recognize his greatness and the beauty of his heritage. But like many children and teens who internalize their pain, Antonio carried burdens that remained unseen, hidden behind good grades, big dreams, humor, and hope for the future he desired so deeply. His story reveals a truth we do not talk about enough: that success in school or outward confidence does not erase the emotional battles and scars that many young people fight silently.
As he entered young adulthood, Antonio continued to excel academically. He attended and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, built meaningful relationships, and envisioned a future in law. For a time, all that he was achieving brought hope that his identity struggles were behind him. His intelligence, charm, and warmth naturally drew people to him.
However, the pressures of identity, belonging, and self-doubt, combined with growing anxiety and depression, became increasingly difficult to escape. The world saw his potential, his drive, and his kindness. Yet many did not see the private moments of fear, emotional exhaustion, and loneliness that so often accompany unaddressed mental health challenges, especially in communities where vulnerability is misunderstood, minimized, or stigmatized.
In 2012, after years of silent internal struggles and overwhelming hopelessness that made life seem unmanageable, Antonio died by suicide.
Our hearts shattered, but our purpose was sharpened, and we decided Antonio’s story needed to be shared to help others. Antonio’s story is not just a tale of loss; it is a call to action. It serves as a reminder that identity, belonging, emotional safety, and mental wellness are interconnected. His journey illustrates how vital early intervention, open conversations, and culturally sensitive support are, not only for youth but also for families, schools, and communities.
The Antonio “Puh Bear Charitable Foundation” exists because of him and for every young person walking a similar path. We choose to turn heartbreak into hope, grief into service, and love into action. Through our work, we honor Antonio’s life by making sure that no child, teen, or family suffers in silence. We are dedicated to creating spaces where young people feel seen and supported, where families find guidance and understanding, and where compassion becomes the foundation for emotional healing and self-acceptance.
