The inspiration for his own TV court show, the Judge's personal story is also the subject of a book, "Inner City Miracle," released by Ballantine/One World Books in October 2002. Mathis, along with writer Blair Walker, co-wrote his autobiography to document his triumph over the odds. The memoir takes a candid look at the Judge's rise to success from the projects of Detroit. Once a juvenile delinquent himself, the Judge provides readers with a revealing look into his inspirational transformation and to his ongoing efforts to help others. "Inner City Miracle" was well received by book reviewers across the country. The success of the book earned Mathis the prestigious Blackboard Non-fiction Book of the Year Award in May 2003.

Mathis has been called upon as a regular contributor to national television programs, including "Larry King Live," "Politically Incorrect," CNN's "Talk Back Live" and Fox News Channel's "From the Heartland with John Kasich" to discuss his opinions on complex issues of the day, such as terrorism and national security, unique sentencing and affirmative action.

Mathis also offers his take on high-profile legal cases such as the Martha Stewart/ImClone scandal and the Scott Peterson trial.

Greg Mathis has become a household name with a broad and loyal following. His growing popularity led to a featured role on The WB sitcom "The Steve Harvey Show" in May 2001, in which he played himself. He has also enjoyed major media exposure, appearing on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," the "Today" morning show, "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," "The Wayne Brady Show," TNT's "Listen Up! Charles Barkley with Ernie Johnson" and "BET Tonight with Ed Gordon," while being featured in People magazine, and national and local press across the country.

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. In May 2002, Mathis hosted his first Self-Empowerment Expo in Detroit, designed to encourage individuals to develop and achieve worthy goals, and prepare themselves for a more prosperous future. Based on the success of the first Expo, a second Self-Empowerment Expo took place in Detroit in August 2003 and a third in August 2004. The Expo offers speakers, workshops and other resources that offer family and business-oriented guidance.

In this presidential election year, Judge Mathis believes now is an ideal time to experience empowerment, through participation in the democratic process and exercising the right to vote. To this end, the Judge has appeared in a voter registration Public Service Announcement, urging viewers to get out and vote.

Mathis continues to hit the streets in an effort to help others, joining the fight for various causes and drawing national attention and throngs of supporters. An advocate for adult literacy, Mathis was named a spokesman for Literacy Volunteers of America in Detroit in May 2003. He continues to help raise awareness of the literacy problem and encourages those who need help.

Mathis' commitment to his community, and local fans, was acknowledged in April 2002 when he was asked to throw out the first pitch at a Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The game was broadcast live on the show's Chicago affiliate. In June 2002, Mathis also threw out the first pitch in Comerica Park in Detroit at a Detroit Tigers game, also televised on the show's Detroit affiliate.

In addition to starring in his own television show, 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," a musical drama based on Mathis' life designed to inspire men and women to overcome life's obstacles. The show played to sold-out audiences in 29 cities and received national press attention.

Mathis has also appeared in the stage play, "Tell It to the Judge," an inspirational piece about a young man whose future is undetermined because of his criminal past. The character played by Judge Mathis, based loosely on the Judge, himself, sees his own negative past in the young man and decides to mentor him. This role, which paralleled his own life-story, gave Mathis another opportunity to help change lives.

Mathis has also served as the host of "Judgement Call," a weekly radio show in which he answered legal questions from callers on Chicago radio station WGCI. On the first Monday of every month, Mathis also joined WGCI's morning drive host Howard McGee to co-host "Ask the Judge," a law-related segment of the morning show.

Greg 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 around, earning his GED, continuing on to college and earning a jurist doctorate degree. Despite tremendous obstacles and odds, Mathis became the youngest judge in Michigan's history and was elected a Superior Court Judge for Michigan's 36th District.

"It pains me to think of all the hurt that I caused my neighborhood, my community, my family," says Mathis. "That's why I've 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 political agendas 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. Mathis 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 Jackson's historic Michigan presidential campaign victory in 1988. Mathis' interest in social reform has served as a catalyst for his career on the bench.

In addition to public service, Mathis' civil rights activism also began during his college years at Eastern Michigan University, leading groups like Free South Africa. After graduating from college in 1983, Mathis continued his activism working on Jackson's Operation P.U.S.H. and the Rainbow Coalition, where he led numerous protests and marches, and continues to be a member today. In October 2000, Judge Mathis' efforts were recognized by the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition when they honored him with an Advocacy Award for his tireless civil rights work.

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.

In 1997, Mathis' life was the subject of a musical called "Inner City Miracle," written and directed by playwright Ron Milner.

Mathis is Chairman of the Rainbow/PUSH-Excel Board, a lifetime member of the NAACP and is a national board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (S.C.L.C.). Judge Mathis is married and a father of four children.

For more information, visit Find out more by visiting Judge Greg's website.