Demetrius Matthews, the founder of Legacy Media, LLC., had a grand vision to create something that would transcend his own life. With a singular goal in mind, he founded Legacy Media, LLC., a platform that would allow him to tell his own story and create something that would withstand the test of time. Demetrius is a testament to the idea that one can rise above humble beginnings and overcome difficult adolescent years through dedication and hard work. His ultimate desire was to leave a lasting impression on the world, and through the creation of award-winning documentaries that move and inspire many, he is achieving that very goal.
Legacy Media is more than just a company. It serves as a medium for Demetrius to shine a light on the people and experiences that have shaped him into the person he is today. The content produced by Legacy Media, LLC. is raw, authentic, empowering, and thought-provoking. Each new documentary pushes the boundaries and uncovers new knowledge through each interview. Although Legacy Media, LLC. began as Demetrius's own creation, it has since blossomed into something far greater. Every interview, podcast, and documentary produced by Legacy Media, LLC. serves a higher purpose – to connect with and inspire people by sharing knowledge and insights.
Demetrius Matthews is a writer, director, and producer who is known for his work on Kling: A Teacher Who Defied The System.
The documentary "Kling" tells the story of Thomas Kling, a teacher who had a profound impact on his students' lives. Directed by Demetrius Matthews, a former student turned filmmaker, the film features emotional interviews with Kling's former pupils, who are grateful to have had him as their teacher 30 years after he taught them.
Kling taught at a Chicago Public School in the mid-1980s when the West Side was rife with racism and a drug and crack epidemic. As a young man with white privilege, Kling took it upon himself to provide his 35 young black students with a real education, going above and beyond the school curriculum. He bought books for them out of his own pocket, taught them literary classics and college-level material, and pushed them to succeed. His dedication and hard work helped his students become successful, respected citizens, as we see in interviews with Demetrius and other former students.
Throughout the documentary, Kling's former students discuss their careers in various fields, attributing their success to their grade school teacher who didn't let them get lost in the vortex of racism and drugs. Kling's anti-racist views were evident in his teaching methods and his insistence on the importance of real education. In a conversation with a young public educator, Mekita Matthews, Kling explains how the working conditions of teachers and the study curriculum need to change for public education to improve.
This well-made and thought-provoking documentary showcases the inspiring dedication of a teacher who changed the fates of several young people and improved their lives. Even after decades, his former students are still indebted to his teachings and are grateful for the impact he had on their lives.