The real-life story of Judge Greg Mathis is heartwarming and inspirational and he will be at Southern University to share it Thursday, March, 25 at 7 p.m. in Seymour Gym.
Mathis was a gang member who dropped out of school, was in and out of jail and then overcame these adversities to become the youngest judge in Michigan history.
Mathis grew up in the housing projects of Detroit, and as a teenager was well on his way to a life of crime. But, as a promise to his dying mother, he vowed to change his ways. At age 18, he turned his life aroundóearning his GED (high school equivalency), continuing on to college and earning a jurist doctorate degree. Despite tremendous obstacles and odds, Mathis became the youngest judge in Michiganís history and was elected a Superior Court Judge for Michiganís 36th District.
“It pains me to think of all the hurt that I caused my neighborhood, my community, my family,” said Mathis. “That is why live made a lifetime commitment to redeeming myself and changing my life and helping to inspire other street youth to redeem themselves and change their lives. Now, with a daily television show, I hope to be able to reach even more people with my story and, hopefully, make an even bigger difference in the lives of others.”
Sensitive to social issues of the day, Mathis strives to involve himself with a political agenda and initiatives that fight to improve the system. His life of public service began when he joined the staff of Detroit City Councilman, Clyde Cleveland. He then went on to work for legendary Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young as Manager of Detroit Neighborhood City Halls.
He has served as a campaign coordinator for numerous successful political campaigns, including the 1989 re-election campaign of Young, and as a national assistant and Detroit campaign manager in Jesse Jacksonís historic Michigan presidential campaign victory in 1988.
His interest in social reform has served as a catalyst for his career on the bench.
Judge Mathis is committed to helping troubled youth in and out of the courtroom.
In 1986, Mathis and his wife co-founded Young Adults Asserting Themselves (Y.A.A.T), a non-profit youth agency that serves thousands of young people. The foundation counsels youth from the ages of 17-25 about career and job opportunities, provides job training, and offers school and job placement services.
The foundation has also opened four pre-schools in Detroit.
In his various fundraising efforts, Mathis has raised and donated over $2 million for a variety of civil rights, political, church and youth causes.
Mathis has been called upon as a regular contributor to national television programs, including “Larry King Live,” “Politically Incorrect” and CNN’s “Talk Back Live,” to discuss his opinions on issues of the day, including terrorism and national security, unique sentencing and Affirmative Action.
When he is not on the bench, Mathis makes it a point to give back to the community and to those in need of guidance as he once was growing up on the streets of Detroit.
In May 2002, Mathis hosted a Self-Empowerment Expo in Detroit designed to encourage individuals to develop and achieve worthy goals and to help prepare people for a more prosperous future.
Based on the success of the first Expo, a second Self-Empowerment Expo is scheduled in Detroit for August 2003.
The Expo offers speakers, workshops and multiple other resources offering family and business oriented guidance.
In addition to starring in his own television show, during the show’s second season, Judge Mathis broke new ground when he took his show on the road and starred in the critically acclaimed stage production
“Been There Done That” which played to sold out audiences in 29 cities and received national press attention. “Been There Done That” is a musical drama based on Mathis’ life designed to inspire men and women to overcome life’s obstacles.
Along with Judge Mathis, the play featured gospel music icon Fred Hammond, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney and was written by Teresa Coleman-Wash. Playing a role parallel to his own life-story enabled Mathis another opportunity to help change lives.
Judge Mathis is married and a father of four children.