Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Robinson.
Jonathan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Before I became a Certified Anger Management Specialist for Greater Dallas LifeSkills in 2010, I had some unique challenges in my life. I had transitioned to Dallas from Tyler in 2001; growing up thereby whom I surrounded myself with and what I experienced shaped me. My family transitioned quite a bit so adapting to change wasn’t hard for me. Some of the mentors that I was blessed to have surrounded myself begin to transition from this life in 1998 and every couple of years, 1 by 1, they would pass. When we relocated to Dallas in September 2001, my family lived in Mesquite for a year and a half and it was miraculous that we lived in a house in Mesquite for a year and a half and never saw the water, electric, or gas bill. My father had transitioned his ministry also; my father started Greater Dallas Lifeskills in 2004 while living in an extended stay hotel and working in the basement in the janitorial area of one of the largest Methodist churches in Plano while my working in security to continue to make ends meet until we could transition fully; Pastor Merrill of a Church of Christ ministry in Plano helped us by paying our storage off that had all of our stuff in it and got us a townhouse in Allen. This family is grateful to this very day. I had a transition between three different schools during my senior year. To understand death was something I never realized because I didn’t think it affected it me until I faced my mortality.
The hardest transition was the passing of my brother J.D. in September 2004. We had a unique relationship that goes beyond brotherhood – it was an incredible friendship. A young lady I was dating had died in a car accident in January 2005. Two months later, I met someone and after a year of the long-distance relationship, irreconcilable differences between our families ended our relationship and that particular day, I found out I had a life-threatening illness. For four years, I fought to beat this illness and retain good health. I wanted balance in every area of my life so I begin to sit in those anger management classes so in 2006 I begin to put things into another perspective; I saw a different side of my father that I never knew was there. I saw men’s lives change and in the course of changing their lives, he changed mine. I begin taking on some of the things that were taught in those classes and renewed my faith, my heart, and my mind.
I was broken so badly and to see my life come back together was redeeming. I begin to teach those classes in 2011 for a brief period and saw men change and then I became involved with finishing up college for the next few years; Greater Dallas LifeSkills went through a major transition with staff in 2017 and I was asked to come back and instruct again. Within the last two years, I have instructed a little over 300 men to get themselves better mentally and regain the confidence of their partners whose relationships/families were broken. Many people had asked about my personal story so I decided to write a book entitled, “Here’s My Story & I’m Sticking To It” that was released in January. There’s More To The Story is a continuation which releases on October 14th. I have been fortunate to work with some unique clients within corporate America to the NFL and my Alma Mater Southern Methodist University.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The challenges were that the classes forced me to make changes in my own life not realizing I would be helping men do the same. Sometimes the most difficult part was not knowing if I made a difference. Facing realities are far more dreadful than being receptive to change because it sets out as exciting until you step out to do it. My father who is the last mentor I have left has given me the extra push and if I needed wise counsel, I could go to him. Facing my mortality, fear of failure, heartbreak from relationships that didn’t work out, forgiveness, and peace of mind. I needed those things and getting there on my own wasn’t it. I had a sounding board and environment – it gave me the clarity I needed.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Greater Dallas LifeSkills begins in 2003 as a viable provider for the court systems by my father, Dr. Carl Robinson. It currently has an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, ranked #1 in DFW, ranked #3 in the nation: we provide life skills and anger management classes proactively and employer referred to as well as through court orders which range from Anti-theft, Parenting, and even Domestic Violence classes. It sees yearly 200-300 individuals a year and it continues to grow by leaps in bounds. We have several locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metropolitan area and will be expanding our operations to Tyler (surrounding East Texas), Shreveport, Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Miami with many other cities that we will reach.
What sets us apart is our desire to see people get the help that they need, no matter the circumstances under which they came. Men have cried in the classes because they get to move back home or their families come home because they see a change in them. Some who haven’t even been to church ask me where I go to church because they want some of the spirituality that I’ve been able to share in the classes.
I am a Certified Anger Management Specialist and First Responder/Chaplain on staff. I became more involved with Domestic Violence to help men and their families when my friend Lora Ann Evans was killed by her on and off boyfriend back in 2011. I didn’t even know she had passed away until a couple of months later while I recovering from a deadly car accident; we were in contact with each other months prior her to help with hosting events to do fundraising for children/families with special needs such as autism, cancer, sickle cell, and heart/lung diseases.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would like to thank GOD first and foremost; credit my father mostly because he was a big visionary for wanting to see men’s lives impacted and being a student of his has kept me sharp. He is responsible for being the man I’ve become today and all I’ve set out to accomplish. My mother keeps me sharp administratively and was my first school teacher before I step foot in any school: Kerrian, Karletta, Kayla, and Kamaria – I love y’all and thank you for the laughs, talks, and good times that keep us close as a family; to my late brother J.D., I miss you, man; no words describe how irreplaceable you are.
I also would like to thank the staff of Greater Dallas Lifeskills for having confidence in me to help lead and be apart of an extraordinary team. To my Souls Harvest Family – thank you for your unyielding support and it is a joy to serve weekly. To my Faith City roots, so many beautiful experiences, I haven’t forgotten and grateful for the foundation. I am grateful for the clients whose lives have been impacted and their families and loved ones who have seen a difference.
The mentors who have passed on: Eld. J.D. Hamilton, Sr., Eld. Malachi Micheaux, Uncle David Carroll, Uncle Larry Nolen, Veron Ashe, Eld. Vernon Thompson, Emma Bedford, and Uncle Dradell Davis.
My friends/supporters Patrick B., Chafera M., Jarelle J, Jariuce B., Ricardo W, Veronica M., Keisha C., Alicia G., Tiara B., Ashley H., Roderick H., Leola B., Kristin M., Brittany L., Doray A., Chelsey T., Veronica L., Tuluv P., Starr S., Demarkus W., Kiara H., Diontte C., Dr. Shakerra B., Teneisha J., Angie H., Damus I., Aerial M., Glenda M., Tiffany H., Marquetta M., Jacelyn M., Tristen P., Sondra M., Jzapal J., Candice D., Naki C., Kamiah M., and Brandy J. – thanks also is due to my musical fam’ Jevon H., Bernard E. Jr., Smoke Digglera, Daron J., Terrence R., Tonee R., Devin W., Tim J., Mike B., Kevin B., and Ri’shard H.
My biggest inspiration of 15 years Kiera T. Adams – she is my heart and soul, the muse that keeps me going. I let her know every day how fortunate I am to have her in my life and that I take nothing for granted. She’s so special and I couldn’t have gotten as far as I have without her. She’s a wonderful mother, an emerging entrepreneur, and an incredible support system.
I have been influenced by men like Denzel Washington, Pastor John Gray, Pastor Michael Todd, Pastor Steve Furtick, Devon Franklin, Durrell B. (R&B artist known as TANK), Teddy Riley, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Enitan Bereola II, Deion Sanders, Jaleel White, Will Smith, Alfonso Riberio, Larenz Tate, Steve Harvey, Omari Hardwick, Clifford Harris, Jr. (known as rapper T.I), Jonathan Miller (known as Pastor YPJ), Diddy, Ludacris, Kenny Burns, and Michael Render (known as Killer Mike), Rich Styles, and Hill Harper. I source something from them daily. The extend their wisdom through their social media that lends perspective and adds more wisdom to the things my father has shared with me for confirmation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.greaterdallaslifeskills.com
- Phone: (214)448-3763
- Email: signupforclass@yahoo.com
- Instagram: jayfredrobinson
- Facebook: facebook.com/jonathanfredrickrobinson
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