Local Legends: Anton Washington of Minority Construction & Restoration

Building More Than Homes

For Anton Washington, construction is more than a career.  It is part of a family legacy that stretches back generations.

Long before he founded Minority Construction & Restoration, Anton was learning lessons about hard work, service, and community from the people who came before him. His family history traces back to Charlottesville, Virginia, where generations of his family helped build communities, schools, churches, and opportunities for others.

Even before that, his ancestors were among the families whose labor helped sustain Thomas Jefferson’s historic Monticello estate. Generations later, his grandfather’s craftsmanship would find its way to the White House, where he built furniture for the nation’s most iconic residence. 

As a child, Anton spent summers working alongside family members who taught him that building was never just about structures. It was about creating something that could outlast you. Whether digging wells, repairing homes, or helping neighbors, the message was always the same: leave things better than you found them.

Those lessons would eventually shape both his life and his company.

Today, Anton serves as Owner and CEO of Minority Construction & Restoration, a Maryland-based construction and restoration company specializing in roofing, insurance restoration, remodeling, additions, and exterior renovations. 

But the company’s foundation was shaped long before its first project. The values Anton learned as a student, educator, and community advocate continue to influence how he serves homeowners today, with education remaining at the center of everything he does. 

A Teacher First

One of the most surprising things about Anton is that construction is not his only profession. He has spent more than two decades working as an educator.

Anton attended Salisbury University, UMBC, Wilmington University, and George Washington University, where he earned 3 master’s degrees and began to work toward a doctorate. He has dedicated much of his life to helping students discover their strengths and reach their potential. Even today, he continues teaching while running a growing construction company.

That combination of educator and contractor has become the foundation of Minority Construction & Restoration.

“I realized that homeowners often don’t understand the process they’re going through,” Anton explained. “They’re overwhelmed, confused, and sometimes being given information they don’t fully understand. Education became the way to rebuild trust.”

Instead of focusing solely on selling projects, Anton focuses on helping homeowners understand their options, their insurance coverage, and the realities of the work being proposed.

He believes informed homeowners make better decisions and feel more confident throughout the process.

Learning the Roofing Industry From the Ground Up

Although construction had always been part of his life, Anton deliberately sought out opportunities to learn every aspect of the roofing and restoration industry.

He spent years studying the business, working with experienced professionals, learning insurance restoration, and understanding how claims are handled.

In the process, he realized that many homeowners, especially seniors and those on fixed incomes, found themselves facing major repairs with little understanding of the insurance process. Some were paying premiums for decades only to struggle when they finally needed help.

Anton saw an opportunity to become an advocate.

Rather than simply replacing roofs, he began helping homeowners navigate the often-confusing world of insurance claims, ensuring they understood their options and helping them communicate effectively throughout the process.

The Birth of Minority Construction & Restoration

Minority Construction & Restoration officially launched in 2020, though Anton had already spent years performing construction work independently.

Building a company was not easy.

Like many business owners, he faced the challenge of creating visibility, developing a customer base, and earning trust one homeowner at a time.

When starting a new business, trust is one of your biggest obstacles. It would seem that Anton started his business with exactly that in mind, however.

The company’s slogan says it best:

“More Than Construction. We Restore Trust.”

And he does that through transparency. 

Transparent Estimates and Crystal Clear Transactions

Anton believes one of the biggest challenges homeowners face is not understanding how to evaluate contractors.

Most people buy multiple vehicles throughout their lives. Most people buy dozens of appliances. Most people purchase hundreds of everyday products.

But a roof?

For many homeowners, it is a purchase they may only make once every twenty or thirty years. That lack of familiarity creates uncertainty.

How much should a roof cost? What materials are best? Who can be trusted? What should insurance cover?

Those questions often leave homeowners vulnerable to confusion and pressure.

Rather than rushing clients into decisions, Anton encourages them to gather multiple estimates, compare options, ask questions, and fully understand the products being installed on their homes.

That level of service is unusual in the industry, but it reflects the culture he has worked hard to build.

Serving Maryland and Beyond

Today, Minority Construction & Restoration serves homeowners and businesses throughout Maryland, Delaware, Northern Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

Their services include:

• Insurance and retail roofing
• Storm damage restoration
• Gutters, siding, windows, and doors
• Kitchen and bathroom remodeling
• Home additions
• Flooring, drywall, and painting
• Fire restoration
• Commercial construction projects

The company also partners with respected manufacturers and industry professionals to provide quality materials and specialized expertise for larger projects.

Looking Toward the Future

While growing Minority Construction & Restoration remains a major priority, Anton’s long-term vision extends far beyond construction. But, again, you’ll notice one thing remains consistent – his passion for education.

His dream is to create a state-licensed trade school that helps connect young people with rewarding careers in the skilled trades. He believes too many students are told there is only one path to success.

For many young people, especially hands-on learners, trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, welding, and construction can provide exceptional opportunities without the burden of massive student loan debt.

As someone who overcame learning challenges of his own, Anton is passionate about helping young people recognize their strengths and discover paths where they can thrive. It is the same philosophy that drives both his teaching career and his business.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.

Leaving a Legacy

Spend a few minutes talking with Anton Washington and one thing becomes clear. Construction is not simply about kitchen remodeling and laying shingles.

For him, it is about people. It is about helping families protect what matters most. It is about educating homeowners so they can make informed decisions.

It is about creating opportunities for future generations. And it is about carrying forward a family legacy built on service, resilience, and community.

Through Minority Construction & Restoration, Anton Washington is not just building homes. He is building trust, one project at a time.

If you have a local roofing or remodeling project, Anton would be a great person to call:

Minority Construction & Restoration
www.minoritycr.com
(301) 237-7033