| istory Month, observing important people and events in | | | | A family friend helped him get admitted into Eastern |
| the history of the African diaspora, is celebrated | | | | Michigan University. |
| through the entire month of February. Coincidentally, | | | | Became interested in politics and worked for the |
| World Day of Social Justice falls on February 20. In | | | | Democratic Party. |
| honor and remembrance of these two | | | | Organized demonstrations against the apartheid in |
| commemorations, it is only fitting to recognize an | | | | South Africa. |
| individual whose contributions are significant to both: | | | | Joined Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. |
| Greg Mathis or as he is more commonly known, Judge | | | | Graduated with a B.S. in Public Administration. |
| Mathis. | | | | Judge Mathis: Career Highlights |
| Mathis' story is one of redemption. How he overcame | | | | Began political career as an unpaid intern. |
| an upbringing in the tumultuous times of 1960's and | | | | Became assistant to Clyde Cleveland, a city council |
| 1970's Detroit, teetered away from early gang | | | | member. |
| involvement, and built a career that put him in position | | | | Admitted to University of Detroit School of Law. |
| to affect the lives of others, presents an example of a | | | | In 1988, appointed head of Jesse Jackson's Presidential |
| positive African-American influence who has carried | | | | Campaign in Michigan. |
| the integrity of social justice. | | | | Head of then-Mayor's Coleman Young's reelection |
| Judge Mathis: Early Beginnings | | | | campaign. |
| Born in Detroit, Michigan on April 5, 1960. | | | | In 1995, elected a superior court judge for Michigan's |
| Raised, along with three brothers, by a single mother. | | | | 36th District. |
| As a teenager, associated with the Eroll Flynns, a | | | | Judge Mathis: Judge Mathis TV Show |
| Detroit street gang. | | | | In 1999, began production of the Judge Mathis TV |
| Arrested several times in his youth. | | | | show. |
| At age 17, learned his mother had cancer, and began | | | | Entering its 11th season, the show runs in national |
| to turn his life around. | | | | syndication five days a week. |
| Earned his G.E.D. in six months and was, thus, offered | | | | With introduction of "Ask Judge Mathis" segment, is |
| probation. | | | | starting to inject even more social commentary into |
| Judge Mathis: Collegiate Years | | | | the show. |