Where it all Began
Michael “Tony” Steptoe is a dedicated community servant with a passion for returning
citizens(ex-felons). For the last 15 years, Tony has traveled the world speaking in over 500
prisons, celebrate recoveries, homeless shelters, schools and conferences.
Tony is an associate Minister at Union Bell Baptist Church in Falmouth, VA under the leadership
of Pastor Clarence E. Mays. He currently serves in the outreach ministry.
Tony is no stranger to overcoming adversity. While serving a 10.5-year prison sentence, he
decided to turn his life around and went to college, completed more than 20 certifications, and
wrote 3 business plans of which all have come to fruition since his release on January 15, 2008.
Upon release, he became the first African American male to graduate from Ohio State School of
Esthetics.
His unique gift of communication makes him a special team member to any organization. Tony
has often been quoted for his creative phrase “The question is not if there is more for your life,
the question has become, how bad do you want it?” Tony speaks about the importance of
choices and how one choice can change your life forever.
Tony is married to Nicole Steptoe, and they have three amazing kids between them. They have
founded two businesses together, Family Food Palace Food Truck and Lead Strong Inc.
Tony’s real-life experiences will grab ahold of any audience as he unfolds his story of triumph
over tragedy and how he bounced back from it all.
Nicole Steptoe is an associate Minister at Union Bell Baptist Church under the leadership of
Pastor Clarence E. Mays. She accepted the call to preach the gospel in 2010. She currently is
serving as an Assistant to the Pastor and the Outreach Ministry.
Nicole has preached at many churches and spoken at various conferences, schools, and
leadership seminars. Her passion is for young adults, single mothers, and those that have been
outcasted. This passion stems from her being a single mother for 8 years and having to overcome
various hardships.
She is married to Michael “Tony” Steptoe and together they have founded two businesses
together, Family Food Palace Food Truck and Lead Strong Inc. She is the proud Mother of two
amazing kids. Her son is a licensed Minister and Realtor. Her daughter is an actress, singer, and
model. She currently manages her daughter’s career.
Reverend Steptoe graduated from Old Dominion University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology with an emphasis on child welfare. She has
also received her associate degree in ministry in 2010, and a bachelor’s degree in divinity in
2012 from Triangle Bible Institute in Triangle, Virginia. She is a certified life coach with a
certificate in Mental Health Advocacy.
Reverend Steptoe says,
“I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for all of us and I continue to trust in Him and I am
waiting to see what He has next for me.”