Ric Mathis, also known as the “Documentary King,” is an accomplished filmmaker and author with over 20 years of experience in photojournalism and filmmaking. Based in Atlanta, GA., he founded West End Filmmakers and is internationally recognized as a leading director, producer, and writer. Mathis began his career in the performing arts in 1997, performing original poetry and managing talent for HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. These poets won notable awards, such as a Tony Award, Peabody Award, and Emmy Award, and appeared at the HBO Film Festival and Def Poetry Jam on Broadway.
In 2005, Mathis became the supervising producer at Rolling Out Magazine in the video department. He produced and captured hundreds of cinematography, including his debut sequels launched in 2015, The Film Black Friday, Contradiction, and more. In 2017, he launched Black Friday 2 “Living Legacy World Tour, traveling to countries like Mexico, Spain, and West Africa (Ghana) to screen the film and teach generational wealth, entrepreneurship, and legacy building. Today, he is one of Atlanta’s renowned storytellers specializing in idealization, film production, and distribution.
Mathis was born in Valdosta, South Georgia, and raised in Atlanta. He graduated from Frederick Douglas High School, attended Fort Valley State University, and later earned a B.S. in Music Management with a Minor in Marketing from Georgia State University. From 2015-2017, he released his popular documentary collection: The Film Black Friday, Black Friday the Remix, and Black Friday 2. These films featured Les Brown, David Banner, Hill Harper, Dr. Boyce Watkins, Judge Glenda Hatchett, Cynthia Bailey, Malcolm Jamal Warner, and other notable figures. In addition, he received esteem awards from the Hip Hop Film Festival N.Y.C. and Pan African Film Festival.
Mathis launched Rich Kid Society in 2017, where he volunteered with organizations such as Jack and Jill of America, The Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, and The Black Men’s Lab. After he released “The Kids Money Book,” he partnered with many organizations and companies like New York Life Insurance, Allstate Insurance, The Pearl Academy, AARP, and Clark Atlanta University to teach asset protection and financial literacy. In 2016, former President Barack Obama awarded Mathis the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his humanitarian efforts and community service. He serves on the board for Exclusive Service Healthcare and The Book Bank Foundation, helping black communities with mental health. In November 2022, E.S.H. opened its first abroad location in Nigeria.
Mathis has successfully executed national and global brand campaigns for Pepsi, Essence Music Festival, 100 Black Men, Walmart, Home Depot, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. In 2023, he successfully produced “Bo Legs,” a biographical documentary on Political Leader Judge Marvin Arrington Sr., and is scheduled to release another documentary with Dr. Boyce Watkins entitled B1 “The Code of Blackness.” This year, Mathis celebrates the 20th anniversary of his first poetry DVD series ‘Word,” featuring Cee-Lo Green, The Last Poets, Amiri Baraka, and more.