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Milwaukee man credits music program for lifting him out of depression as a child

Posted at 6:14 AM, May 09, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-09 11:04:57-04

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee man shares how his life forever changed thanks to a non-profit musical program.

Demetrius Gulliford is helping children from all over the city perform on stage at the Miller High Life Theater, May 17.

He got his start in the same non-profit program behind this movement, when he was just 16 years old. "I was at a really depressive state before, I was real anti-social and I didn't really have much confidence in myself," said Demetrius Gulliford.

Gulliford said he found that feeling through Express Yourself Milwaukee. For the past 15 years, the non-profit organization has served more than 1,000 at-risk children each year. About half are known in juvenile court and 95-percent of the children live in a low-income household.

"We go out to the detention center and we let them know this is your time to get a new clean slate," said Gulliford.

We were with him on Tuesday when he was helping little ones at Lancaster School get ready for their big performance. He shares with them his own personal battles to get them to come out of their shells.

"Let them know hey I've been through this too you know what I'm saying I've been in foster homes I've been in the shelters," said Gulliford.

You can see Demetrius and all of the children perform their event called Move It! for free at the Miller High Life Theater on Thursday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m.