Mike Rae Anderson was born in Stuttgart, Germany in 1972 and raised in Fayetteville,NC. He is an Actor (has been in TV One shows "For My Man" "Justice By
Any Means" and "Fatal Attraction" and several full feature and independent films.) He is
also the author of three independently published books entitled "The Lost Disciple"
"Serenity in the Dark" and his self written Autobiography "A Polished Soul: the Mike
Rae Anderson Story" which has been adapted into a Short Documentary Film (premiered
in the National Black Theater and Film Festival) and soon to be adapted into a full feature
film. He is a spoken word poet that formerly served as Poet in Residence for the Chuck
Davis African American Dance and Theater Ensemble. Mike is also a National
Spokesperson for "My Brother's Keeper" and deals with topics regarding mass
incarceration, prison industry, and juvenile incarceration. He is a film maker known for
his self produced documentary "The Evolution of Shaka Zulu: Black Men in Selma" and
has done cinematography for the national known full length documentary entitled
"Ferguson: A Report from Occupied Territory" which aired on Fusion TV and BET. He
is the Executive Director of his own non-profit organization Polished Souls Foundation,
Inc. that mentors adjudicated youth. Mike Anderson also has a background in Radio,
show hosting, and journalism (WXDU 88.7fm, BrandNewz and Incredi-Bully TV).
Before all of this Mike Anderson grew up in a domestic violence plagued household and
became involved with the street life at age 14. By age 19, after a string of bad choices
gone wrong, he found himself in the Cumberland County Jail in Fayetteville, NC facing
the Death Penalty, plus life plus 60 years for two counts of murder and attempted murder
along with several other charges. After awaiting trial in the county jail for almost three
years Mike took a plea bargain for a life sentence. While on the inside, Mike became a
model inmate while obtaining two college degrees, being an inmate tutor for GED
students, and entertaining the compound with his written plays and talent shows. After
serving 17 years as a model inmate with outstanding accomplishments The North
Carolina Parole Board decided to give him a second chance and released him on Mother's
Day in 2008 (5/11/08). Mike Anderson has only been home for 8 years now and has
already achieved the above-mentioned accomplishments