Black Man Earns Ph.D. After Being Expelled, Arrested and a Judge Telling Him He’d Be Dead in 5 Years

Nationwide — Dr. Tommie Mabry grew up in one of Jackson, Mississippi’s roughest neighborhoods. When he was in the fifth grade, he was arrested for breaking into the state fairgrounds. After that arrest, he was suspended or expelled from 10 different schools due to his behavior. Even worse, a judge once told him that in five years his attitude would either get him killed or incarcerated. However, little did the judge know that Tommie’s life was about to change for the better.

Things really started to change for Tommie when he joined an AAU basketball league that traveled around the world. He was the first person in his family to graduate from high school when he crossed the stage at Bailey Magnet in 2007. Although he was shot in the foot after skipping school during his senior year, Tommie healed and received a full basketball scholarship to Missouri State University-West Plains. He later received a B.A. cum laude in Education from Tougaloo College and his M.A. in Child Development in 2017.

After his undergraduate studies, Tommie was hired as a teacher by the same Jackson Public School District that had suspended and expelled him many times during elementary and secondary education. And, in 2020, he earned his Doctorate Degree – an Executive Ph.D. from Jackson State University where he majored in Urban Higher Education.

Dr. Mabry has since written and published four books that target all age groups including A Dark Journey to a Light Future: A Memoir. In addition, as a renowned international speaker and nationally acclaimed educator, he now travels the world sharing his story to motivate and inspire others – and he lives by the motto, “I cannot walk in my future with my foot in my past.”

His story of trials, success, and service has inspired millions around the world. News of Dr. Mabry’s achievements instantly went viral, breaking national headlines. He has appeared in USA Today and major TV networks including PBS, FOX Soul, and many more.

His story and achievements have enabled him to use his voice to inspire and impact millions as a renowned speaker. He was named one of the Top 50 men in business in Mississippi. In 2022, Corwin, a major publishing company, honored Dr. Mabry with the New Voices Award for his book Perspective! The Secret to Student Motivation and Success.

For more details and/or to book Dr. Tommie Mabry for speaking engagements, visit his official website at TommieMabry.com

Also, be sure to follow him on Instagram @DrTommieMabry