Pardoned Twice, Robert Sherrill Makes A Difference In Nashville (+podcast)

Friday, July 30 2021 by Richard Hunt

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Robert Sherrill encourages young men in Nashville
Robert Sherrill
Robert Sherrill encourages young men in Nashville

After Robert Sherill’s mother and stepdad got a divorce, Robert found himself living in what was known locally as the “Dodge City” public housing project in Nashville. The nickname pretty much says it all, a real rough neighborhood. “It was there that my mom got addicted to drugs… and it was hard growing up. You know, we didn’t have a lot of food in the refrigerator… going to school, not really having a lot of things, being talked about…that was kind of my day-to-day.” But then, things got even worse. After school one day, Robert saw “all of our stuff was setting on the side of the road [evicted]. And it was in that moment that things kind of changed for me as a little boy and I kind of turned into a man.” Robert walked to his grandma’s house and from then on, “I was kind of on my own, just kind of doing my own thing. I really despised authority, didn’t really want to listen to people…so, I dropped out of school and was a rebel, you know a ‘rebel with a cause,’ I guess.” 

Early on, money became his motivation, “that one thing that you need that can change your situation and circumstances.” Robert found that selling drugs provided money. Gang membership also gave him some meaning, or so he thought. “I wanted to be successful by all means, whether it was the right way or the wrong way.” In time, things caught up with him and he served five years in prison. “My dad died in prison when I was 16. And so that reality, coupled with me being a father and a husband at the time, I knew I didn’t want my legacy to be that of my father.” So in prison, Robert “crafted a plan and strategy so that when I was released, I could be successful.” And he meant by legal, entrepreneurial means. 

And that is exactly where Robert is today. “I’m the CEO of Imperial Cleaning Systems,” with nearly two dozen employees and very successful. He has other successful ventures going, too. Robert also created a non-profit called Impact Youth Outreach, a youth development and mentoring program focused on at-risk youth in urban communities. 

Robert may be unique in that he has received both a gubernatorial and presidential pardon, and he continues to mentor others to pursue successful lives

“I am definitely a believer in second chances! I am a Christian.” Robert points to his faith, “You know all of the notable men in the Bible – God didn’t use the typical people to accomplish his goals and purposes on this earth. He always used the people…rough around the edges.” Robert credits God’s grace and mercy for allowing him to do what’s he’s able to do in Mid-Tennessee. And Robert is involved in a lot.

We invite you to share in our podcast below to get to know this amazing man, with so much to offer and so many dreams. And learn how, amazingly, he received not only a pardon from the governor of Tennessee, but also from the president of the United States, to lift any stigma from his reputation, which has now careened into the uber positive.

Robert Sherrill
[Photo Credit: Robert Sherrill ] Robert Sherrill 

 

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