Antonio White built his career in high-level Washington-related posts he held at the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Treasury, Bank of America and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. But he got there through the work and connections he built growing up around Route 480 in Cleveland.

That's why White is starting a business called 480 Advisors, which allows him to share his knowledge of government policy and finance with local leaders so that they can chart their own course in their communities.

"I am a first-generation college graduate. When I got to Washington I had all of these questions. I got the equivalent of master classes from the leaders I worked with. I always thought, 'What if I could bring this knowledge back to the people who need it?" White said.

In the following interview, the former director of the FHFA's Office of Congressional Affairs and Communications, deputy assistant secretary in Treasury's Office of Community Engagement and policy executive at B of A shares more about his past and how it informs his future.

His remarks have been edited for length and clarity.