Jerry Anselmo shares his life growing up with his Italian immigrant family and the strength it gave him to handle the death of his son, Brian in 2008. You will laugh and you will cry and see the impact he has on his community with the BMA Foundation that he started to honor Brian. It is a true story of Faith, Humor, and a Newfound Purpose after the loss of a child.
Jerry Anselmo was born and raised in Saint Louis. He attended St. Margaret of Scotland grade school, Saint Louis University High School, and graduated from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, MO. He was the first of his family to graduate from college. He is Jesuit trained and a strong believer in the Jesuit motto: "Men For Others." He met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Mitchell, while attending Rockhurst University. They have 3 children, Julie, Lori and Brian. He was a successful salesman and manager who was a most sought after speaker on selling during those times. During that time, he also was on many school and hospital boards and had a successful run as a wrestling and football referee in high school and college.
His life changed on September 2, 2008, when his son, Brian, died in his sleep. As he will tell you, his life now is divided into 2 lives, before and after Brian's death. He didn't want his son's name to be lost over time, so he started a foundation to honor him and help children in the Kansas City area. It has one of the most popular fundraising events in KC, the Dine and Dance with the Stars every summer. He has the stars from tv's Dancing with the Stars attend every year. 800-1000 people attend this event every year. He is called the Godfather of Fundraising! With this success he authored his book: "When the Doorbell Rang."
The success of this book has led to people wanting to hear his story in person. Thus, the Yellow Crocs Tour was formed. He shares an unforgettable journey of resilience, healing and rediscovering his faith. He tries to inspire audiences to embrace faith, find strength in community, and uncover purpose in life's most challenging situations.
When the Doorbell Rang -
Growing up in a close-knit Italian immigrant family, I learned early the values of resilience, faith, and deep family bonds. Those roots shaped who I am and sustained me through life’s most devastating trial, the loss of my son, Brian. The day he passed away, my world fell silent. Grief, disbelief, and emptiness consumed me. Yet, in the heart of that pain, I discovered a path toward healing, one grounded in faith, community, and purpose. By founding the BMA Foundation in Brian’s honor, I was able to transform unimaginable sorrow into a living legacy that celebrates his life and uplifts others.
In this talk, I share the journey from my formative family roots to finding meaning after profound loss, a story of faith in darkness, love that endures beyond death, and the Jesuit call to live as “Men and Women for Others.”
Additional Talk Topics -
The challenges losing a child, including from divorce
Consulting with other non-profits on creating a successful fundraiser
How I started a non-profit from scratch
The art of negotiating and the sale
