The Rev. Michael Robinson is a man who rose from the depths of addiction to become a beacon of hope in Philadelphia. He has spent decades altering lives in his role at Temple University as the Director of Community Outreach and Hiring and on the pulpit of Greater Enon Missionary Baptist Church in North Philly. His journey is raw, unvarnished, and entirely relatable. This is a story of brokenness, recovery, and the profound impact of service.
A Childhood In The Margins
“I grew up in the public housing projects of Chester, Pennsylvania, right outside of Philadelphia,” Robinson recalls. His childhood was marked by potholes and peril -poverty, violence, and a drug culture that surrounded many young Black boys in the neighborhood. But even amidst the chaos, there was a sense of community and no social isolation caused by today’s technology. “We had fun as kids, he recalls. “We played all day, enjoyed each other’s company, and stayed social. It was a different time.”
Early in life, Robinson leaned on the male role models in his community -“thuggish, but not thugs,” as he describes them -who pulled him aside and encouraged him to stay on the straight path. He credits these unheralded mentors with keeping him grounded and preventing him from succumbing entirely to the pressures of his environment. Their influence and his mother’s unshakable faith and prayers planted the seeds of survival.
“Faith pulled me through a lot,” Robinson says. But it wouldn’t be until years later that those seeds would bear fruit.
A Fight Against Addiction
For much of his early adulthood, Robinson wrestled with a darkness that nearly consumed him: Alcoholism and cocaine addiction. “Cocaine was my drug of choice,” he remembers. “It was killing me slowly, and I ignored the signs.”
Years of battling addiction burned bridges and strained relationships, yet his mother never gave up on him. Then came the breaking point — a binge so severe that Robinson thought he would die. Alone and terrified, he cried out, “If you’re a real God, please save me because I can’t stop. I can’t get out of this.”
That night, Robinson says, something shifted. In what he describes as divine intervention, he woke up free of the cravings that had gripped him for years. “It was instant, like that. I know some people go through a 12-step program, but for me, God took the taste of it away,” he says.
From that moment forward, Robinson committed his life to a different purpose. He gave his life to Christ and began rebuilding himself —not as the man addiction had shaped, but as the man faith was calling him to become.
Finding His Calling
Robinson’s path was far from linear. He pursued higher education at Clarion University in Pennsylvania, majoring in Communications, where he honed his love for writing, radio, and music. “I wanted to study something fun,” he says, laughing about his time as a popular radio DJ and columnist for the university paper.
Post-graduation, he stumbled into his first job -fired for playing hip-hop on a station that demanded Barry Manilow and Frank Sinatra. “I learned a valuable lesson: You must abide by rules,” he says. That lesson propelled him into human resources and training roles, where his gift for mentorship emerged. Working with organizations and businesses like INROADS and Deloitte, he began empowering young professionals, especially Black and Latino students, to succeed in corporate America.
Over time, Robinson’s career shifted into higher education, landing him at Temple University in North Philadelphia. There, he found his “sweet spot,” combining leadership, mentorship, and community outreach. As the Director of Community Outreach and Hiring, he connects job seekers with employers. His office offers critical resources like resume-building, interview preparation, and technical training, and it has transformed lives across Philadelphia.
“Employment can radically transform the socioeconomic landscape of an individual,” Robinson says. “Being part of someone’s success story is incredibly fulfilling.”
The Pastor In The Trenches
While his professional career soared, Robinson’s faith deepened. He spent over two decades serving at Sharon Baptist Church, and 4 years at Bible Way Baptist Church, before becoming the senior pastor of Greater Enon Missionary Baptist Church in North Philadelphia. His ministry mirrors his personal journey: practical, grounded, and community-focused.
Under his leadership, Greater Enon became a hub for outreach. Health fairs provide medical care to underserved communities. Senior citizen luncheons honored elders. Youth movie nights, including a Black Panther screening complete with food and games, brought neighborhoods together.
“We hosted job fairs, provided health resources, and created safe spaces for families,” he says, adding: “It was about serving others. Robinson’s approach to ministry was clear: roll up your sleeves and work alongside the people you serve.
At the end of 2024, after 11 years as senior pastor, Robinson will retire from the pulpit as Senior Pastor at Greater Enon but will continue in his ministry calling preaching and teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. “I’m handing the reins to a younger associate pastor,” he says. “I know the Greater Enon ministry will continue to grow.”
Leaving A Legacy At Temple
With ministry winding down, Robinson’s presence at Temple University has only grown. His innovative programs, like virtual Employer Spotlights and the school’s annual Citywide Job Fair, highlight his commitment to helping job seekers. His focus on reentry job candidates -those recently released from incarceration -has given countless individuals a chance to start fresh.
“We don’t wait for people to come to us; we take our services to the community,” he explains. This direct personal connection -meeting people where they are -makes Robinson’s work so impactful.
The recognition has followed. Temple’s programs have been ranked Best Adult Education Program in Philadelphia for two years running. Robinson himself was honored as one of “Philadelphia’s Emerging Industry Icons” by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Still, he remains grounded. “Most of the things I have aimed for, I have achieved. At this point, every day that God gives me is just a cherry on top. It’s gravy on the mashed potatoes.”
Unfinished Dreams
Even with so much accomplished, Robinson still dreams of returning to radio or television and hosting a community affairs program. He envisions using modern platforms like podcasts to share his insights. He also hopes to write a book. Robinson knows his story has power, whether it’s an autobiography, a semi-fictional novel, or a practical guide for career success. He philosophizes: “People poured into me, and I try to pour into others. Because someone didn’t give up on me, I don’t give up on anyone else.”
A Life Well-Lived
The Rev. Michael Robinson’s story resonates because it’s real. He does not hide his flaws; instead, he embraces them as part of his truth and testimony. From addiction to faith and from failure to leadership, his life is proof that redemption can lead to second chances that can help change the world.
Robinson has left an indelible mark at Temple University, in his ministry, and throughout his community. He is a man who rose from the ashes; and helps others do the same. As he puts it: “Employment, mentorship, and faith can transform lives. I’m living proof of that.”
Dr. Eric John Nzeribe is the Publisher of FunTimes Magazine and has a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry since 1992. His interests include using data to understand and solve social issues, narrative stories, digital marketing, community engagement, and online/print journalism features. Dr. Nzeribe is a social media and communication professional with certificates in Digital Media for Social Impact from the University of Pennsylvania, Digital Strategies for Business: Leading the Next-Generation Enterprise from Columbia University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Publication Management from Drexel University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Temple University.
