Meet Matthew Dormus | Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Matthew Dormus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Matthew, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Having survived multiple car accidents, a severe health crisis, and near-death experiences like being very close to a drive-by murder, I have an increased gratitude for every breath I take now. Along with gratitude comes an intentional decision to make sure my life counts, and risk-taking plays a monumental role in that effort.

Currently, I am a nineteen-year-old sophomore ministerial theology major at Oakwood University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Huntsville, Alabama. I was recently chosen to campaign for Oakwood University Royalty for the title of “Mr. Oakwood University” against one other student.

As a newcomer to the pageant scene, this is a considerable risk for me to undertake. Raising thousands of dollars, completing a leadership development program for candidates, attending pageant practices, developing my campaign platform, and much more is a lot to invest on the front end.

But, I am willing to see what green grass could lie on the other side.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
An African proverb that I live by goes like this: “If you want to go fast, then go alone. If you want to go far, then go together.” Bringing creative visions to life has been a team effort for me.

Founding a community service organization called Operation Radiate (OPR) as a freshman in high school helped to teach me the lessons that I needed to learn to successfully co-found a newscast called Good Morning OU (GMOU) as a freshman in college. After my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer during my seventh-grade year, my grandmother moved out of our home and into a nursing home. The strain of caring for her aging parent proved to be too great for my mother while she was battling for her life.

After observing the loneliness and sadness that my grandmother experienced in various nursing homes, I promised myself that I would do something about that for her and other senior citizens. OPR started with five of my high school friends and me, no budget, and a mission to alleviate elderly loneliness.

The mission was at first accomplished by throwing surprise parties for senior citizens in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. During my senior year, OPR had three part-time, paid student employees, fifty-plus student volunteers, a $3000+ operating fund, a fundraiser that raised $1200+ for elderly typhoon victims in the Philippines, and several visits and gifts were provided to senior citizens at a local low-income housing authority. Within three years, OPR became one of the three largest student organizations at Georgia-Cumberland Academy, my alma mater.

I give a much-deserved shoutout to many who ensured that the student-led organization made a difference from 2019-2023. Building off of the lessons learned while leading OPR, I decided to co-found the GMOU newscast to improve communication on Oakwood University’s campus with Lisbeth Peguero Pena, a current student at Oakwood. As the highly anticipated newscast grows, I am excited to see our crew’s collective creativity come to life on screen. Feel free to learn more at www.gmoushow.com.

Starting these two initiatives among others past and present has been the thrill of a lifetime and very challenging. I can say like Michael Jordan though, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a Caribbean American living in the Atlanta metropolitan area, my city experience has been quiet and calm. When I decide to put on my Atlanta tourist cap though, some of my favorite experiences come from driving randomly around the city. Beauty is often found in the unknown to me.

Visiting affluent areas like the Buckhead district, elegant malls like Lenox Square, and sprawling greenscapes like Piedmont Park have also proven to be pleasant experiences.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my relationship with Jesus Christ is pivotal to every step I take along life’s arduous journey. I give all of the credit and glory to God for my successes.

I would also like to give my loving parents, Lesly and Ruth Dormus, their flowers while they are still living. They have listened to me talk for hundreds of hours about my dreams, worked alongside me in accomplishing my goals, consoled me during failures, and been cheerleaders during victories.

To my brother, Freddy Dormus, and my extended family, I love you, and thank you for believing in me.

I would be remiss if I did not give a huge virtual hug to my mentors. Though too many to name, they have shared wise counsel, provided financial support, and helped me to network effectively.

To my girlfriend and closest friends, thank you for riding with me.

Website: matthewdormus.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewdormus/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdormus/

Other: matthewdormus@gmail.com

Image Credits
Jason Meredith