We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Justin Gordon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Justin , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The mission is simple. I am a contribution to the paradigm shift of the mental state of people in the hoods of America. I provoke thought with my art and I provide an example of someone who is socially accepted in the hood while still being a nerd. What’s the story behind this mission? I’ll answer this question by first explaining the word “hood”. This term is an abbreviated version of “neighborhood”. I use the word “hood” because in many communities of America, we are missing the “neighbor” aspect. You cannot be a good neighbor to someone else if you aren’t a good neighbor to yourself first. Being a good neighbor to yourself means that you love and respect all aspects of yourself. If you accomplish that, then your love and respect for those around you will expose themselves naturally. However, in a capitalistic society, there is much profit in a lack of critical thinking, love and respect, while fear and scarcity drive decision making. When we are successful at the paradigm shift in our way of collectively thinking, we will save our souls from regret and irreparable damage. Malcolm X and MLK were sole leaders who did great things, but what if we had 10 thousand Malcolm X’s and 10 thousand MLK’s across America, representing their communities/families and coming together as a team?

Justin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Justin Gordon and I am from Detroit, Michigan. I was born in 1994. I got into my industry through school and the streets. I was young and brilliant, but hardheaded. My parents split up, my mom and I went on food stamps, and I was running with the wrong crowds, trying to impress the wrong people. My grandmother kept me in school the best that she could, and I never forgot her lessons. I got kicked out of multiple high schools and I was facing 15 years in prison at 17 years old. My family did not give up on me, I maintained my innocence and I enrolled in community college, where I excelled. I graduated with honors from the University of Michigan and was my class’s commencement speaker. However, I still faced legal troubles throughout my entire collegiate career. Despite jail, probation and poverty, I still managed to graduate from Harvard University with my masters degree. From there, I knew I had a responsibility to be successful in the corporate world so that I can serve those who can’t see themselves making it out of their calamity.
I have a book that is available for purchase right now called “6 Mile Negus on the Honor Roll at Michigan”. You can get it directly from me or on amazon. I also offer tutoring, coaching, performance and workshop services at flexible rates. I am also an actor for hire. Additionally, I have character that I created called the ” Mos Turnt Nerd “. This character is a superhero who dressed up as a “cool nerd” and promotes the fun of learning through music, movies, theatre, classroom activities and poetry.
What i am most proud of is that I am an authentic, real person. I can look directly into the mirror and define my soul. That is what makes me a great actor, that is what makes me a great neighbor.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

So we all have heard of the term “real N*word” (I’ll spare saying the actual word to maintain appropriate language) if you are familiar with hip hop culture at all. There is huge credibility for being labeled a “Real Nword” within the black community in America. However, being a “Real Nword” usually translates into going to jail, expressing violence, or having extreme apathy for what others think. Being a “Real Nword” usually means that you have no skill at navigating your way to the American dream. I had to unlearn being a “Real Nword”. An example of what this entails is that I had to learn to care about keeping my hair combed. If you are black in this country, and your hair is unkept, along with your clothes, then people will judge you negatively, even if they don’t tell you. I was missing out on opportunities that I didn’t even know were available to me. I also had to unlearn saying whatever was on my mind. This country does not reward honesty, this country rewards strategy. Lastly, I had to unlearn the falsity that others who were around me were as genuine as me. There are plenty of wolves in sheep’s clothing (and vice versa!), so unawareness and naiveté could be costly.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2016, I was labeled “a danger to the (university of Michigan) campus community” by the lead prosecuting attorney in Washtenaw County, Michigan. I was 22 years old and I was being followed by the police anytime I was on campus. I was snatched out of classes and my dorm room and into a three month jail sentence for a bogus probation violation charge. While going to school, I was subject to random calls from my probation officer, forcing me to leave campus at any time they requested so they can drug test me. After serving three months in jail in 2016, with the help of some of my professors, I fought to get my scholarship back so I can finish my degree. The entire campus rallied behind me against the campus police and the prosecutors office of Washtenaw county. Against all odds, I was able to enroll back in school in 2017 and went on to graduate with honors, publish my first book, and become the commencement speaker of my class. In addition, I went and gave back to my community by working with high school students and sharing my experiences so they won’t have to go through such danger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justinalexandergordon.com
• Instagram: mosturntnerd
• Youtube: justingordon2335

Image Credits

Alex Bershaw.
Cyrus Tetteh.