We recently connected with Justice Butler and have shared our conversation below.

Justice, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I worked on was my homeless documentary when I attended Houston Community College, because that was my life experience at the time. I was a student like so many others, yet I was homeless while silently living daily amongst others. I became homeless because I have a giving heart and I found out the hard way that you can’t give your all to anyone when you havent even built a foundation for yourself. So when you give your all you and have nothing to fall back on you yourself can fall into the life you try to help someone else climb their way out of.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I come from a radio announcer, acting, comedy promotions background. I started in radio in Houston, Texas and found a better radio opportunity on the Morning show with Cliff Winston and comedian D. L. Hughley on KJLH, a Stevie Wonder owned station in Los Angeles. From there I went into acting small parts and comedy promotions. After a full circle and return to Houston years later I settled to living a regular lfe, but I always felt that I never finished my start in L.A. Finally after helping others and not having a way to fall back on support for my own self I became homeless. I began living on the streets with nothing but life memories in a backpack. From there one day at my lowest a friend saw me and led me to Houston Community College. There I made a difference. I became an honor roll student and not only did my homeless story go viral, but I made a documentary called InVisible, which is about homelessness in colleges and universities that featured other homeless students and it wound up making rounds in film festivals. I moved back to Los Angeles to help the homeless students at the University of Southern California with their major homeless issue, but I wound up living in a homeless shelter in Skid Row instead, when when my own living situation didnt work out due to who and where I lived being a part of a housing program I had to take steps to have. I lived, experienced, and learned while living on Skid Row. I met a lot of different organizations and found that my past in entertainment was beneficial to me now, because to the people wanting me to come out as a guest to their many events I was told that even though now even in my mid 60’s I have a spark of light and youthfulness people like and enjoy being around. I have promoted a positive life even more once finding out I had stage 4 Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, which is a rare inflammatory disease that causes small lumps of inflammatory cells, called granulomas, to form in the lungs. These lumps can affect how the lungs function, and if they don’t heal, the lung tissue can become scarred and stiff, a condition called pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary fibrosis can change the structure of the lungs and make it difficult to breathe and cause fatigue. This stage can be life threatening and
I show ways to look past the negatives and focus on the positives in life. I show you in my own life that Yes, I Got Sarcoidosis, but Sarcoidosis dont Got Me!
I have met an executive filmmaker, during my time of helping others homeless on Skid Row that wants to help me with own film, “Slavery in a Dream”, and I am in the midst of finishing my second homeless documentary, InVisible Reloaded. I have a Music Poetry project I am also finishing, as well as, writing songs for others since I found I am a songwriter. At age 65, I dont look or feel a day over 21. I guess 65 is the new 21, well at least for me anyway.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Not being selfish. You have to be a little selfish with yourself just to be able to truly learn and know yourself. We tend to think we know ourselves better than we do.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My drive after almost a lifetime of running away from GOD is GOD. I feel I have a story GOD wants me to share and it is through my filmmaking I will be able to create from my own life experiences something each of you can take in a positive way to continue your life and give completeness in many parts of it and you too can make a difference in yours and someone else’s life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nerdgangentertainm.wixsite.com/nerdgangent
• Instagram: justiceiseverywhere
• Twitter: [email protected]
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@freeyomindtv?feature=shared

Image Credits

Larissa Lowthorp, NERDGang Entertainment