Platforming the Positive

Tony Langford promotes community betterment on- and offline
By Madeline Haak

photo by shane darby

Local businessman and philanthropist Tony Langford’s character has been shaped by years of commitment to his work, as well as time spent serving others in and around the community. As the owner of Tony Langford Roofing, he tries to use his job as a way to connect to people and lend a helping hand.

“[God] has blessed me with a platform,” he said. “I believe that if I didn’t use that platform and the resources I’ve been given to serve others, I wouldn’t be fulfilling my purpose, both as a man and as a believer.”

Tony’s instinct to give back doesn’t just stem from his faith. His childhood and young adulthood shaped him into the person he is today. He dropped out of high school in the ninth grade and was initially able to earn a living—but he eventually took that income for granted and nearly had to file for bankruptcy.

“Early in life, my mother and I had a strained relationship. She was a high-stress person, and back then, I didn’t fully understand why,” he said. “Going through that difficult period [of economic hardship] put me in her shoes. It helped me give my mother grace and gave me perspective on how hard life can be for so many people.”

Now, putting himself in the shoes of others is an exercise Tony engages in regularly because he believes it is the key to promoting collective well-being.

“Being remembered as a great father means a lot to me,” said Tony, who has six sons, ranging in age from 1 to 28. submitted photo

“There is so much need here, and I feel a responsibility to do what I know is right and to contribute in any way I can,” he said. “You never know the effect you can have on someone. If we all do a little, we can accomplish a lot. At a certain point in success, you stop competing and start collaborating.”

There are certain causes that mean the most to Tony, and he tries to focus his efforts on these. “The most important causes to me are children, veterans, and the elderly,” he said. “Beyond that, there are several people I have a great deal of respect for who are passionate about certain causes. If it matters to them, I try to support it for the overall progress and betterment of the community.”

Respect is something that Tony takes very seriously, and he knows it has helped him along his journey through life and continues to help him today. Running his business in a way that breeds trust has allowed him to make connections and establish himself as a public figure.

“I feel that most people would agree that we [at Tony Langford Roofing] are extremely good at what we do,” he said. “Add doing things with honor and integrity and being someone who doesn’t shy away from speaking his mind, and I feel it has created a platform to bring awareness, raise money, and accomplish things that normally aren’t easy. Respect gets you further than just about anything else.”

Tony offered his congratulations to several award-winning police officers at a ceremony last November. submitted photo

Last August, Tony created a Facebook page called “The Tony Langford Experience,” where he promotes community involvement, spotlights local people and organizations, publicizes his philanthropy, and simply entertains and inspires his 8,600 followers. He said that, while he likes to remain anonymous in his acts of kindness whenever possible, he understands that leading by example can motivate others.

Tony met Senator Bryan Hughes last November. submitted photo

“Contrary to popular belief, [Texarkana] is a great place with a lot of amazing people doing big things. I want others to see how much is actually happening and create a buzz that inspires them to get involved,” he said. “The vast majority of what we do we keep to ourselves.”

Tony knows some people might perceive his efforts as attention-seeking, but as a father of six sons ranging in age from 1 to 28, his main goals are to better the community his children call home and set a good example as their dad.

“There are a lot cheaper ways to get attention, if that’s what you’re seeking,” he said. “At the end of the day, kindness is contagious. If you make it fun, people want to get involved. In 20 years, I hope people will say that I cared about others, I prioritized this community, and, last but not least, it was evident how much I loved my family. Being remembered as a great father means a lot to me.”

“There’s no better feeling than knowing you helped ease someone’s burden or took a little stress off their shoulders.” - Tony Langford, photo by shane darby

For Tony, generosity is not an action or a task to be completed. Instead, it is part of his identity.

“It’s just part of who I am. There’s no better feeling than knowing you helped ease someone’s burden or took a little stress off their shoulders,” he said. “I’m grateful for the life I have, so why not help someone else try to achieve the same? If I’m going to win, I might as well take as many with me as I can.”