Every week, millions of viewers listen to her tough-love advice in the comfort of their living rooms. But on Sunday, May 15, Judge Glenda Hatchett will speak to the Men of Morehouse and their families on the lawn of Century Campus during commencement exercises for the Class of 2005.

More than the robed judge on “Judge Hatchett,” an award-winning nationally syndicated television show, Hatchett is a community activist who has dedicated her life to helping bring communities together in an effort to help troubled youths and their families. It’s a lifestyle she wants her viewers to adopt. On the show, which is now in its fifth season, she urges viewers to mentor at-risk youth in their communities.

It’s hard to believe she never planned to go into law.

“I never really expected to be a lawyer,” said Hatchett. “I went to law school to expand my options, and while I was there, I discovered a passion for litigation. After my clerkship, I started litigating at Delta Air Lines, and I truly believed I would remain there for the balance of my career. I couldn’t have been more wrong!”

As Delta’s highest-ranking African-American woman, Hatchett served dual roles in both the legal and public relations departments. As manager of public relations, she supervised global crisis management, and handled media relations for all of Europe, Asia and 50 U.S. cities. She left the airline to accept an appointment as chief presiding judge of the Fulton County, Georgia Juvenile Court.

Upon accepting the position, Hatchett became Georgia’s first African-American chief presiding judge of a state court and the department head of one of the largest juvenile court systems in the country.

Hatchett soon garnered national attention for her “creative sentencing,” which can still be seen today in the form of interventions on “Judge Hatchett.” She worked in conjunction with community organizations and businesses to design a program where troubled youth would be exposed to successful executives and community leaders who would inspire them to make changes in their lives.

Hatchett has received numerous awards and serves on the boards of many organizations including GAP Inc., HCA and the Atlanta Falcons. In 2003, she wrote “Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say, a national bestseller based on her experiences as a jurist and a mother. She also serves as national spokesperson for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a non-profit volunteer organization that trains volunteers to represent abused and neglected children and help them navigate the court system.

Hatchett received her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and her Juris Doctor from Emory University’s law school. An Atlanta native, she and her sons reside in the city when she is not filming in New York.