Reformed drug dealer helps Columbia youth

Cobbins is the community outreach director for the Imani Mission Center.

By Will Guldin

Published April 6, 2009

Described as a good father and a heartfelt, sincere person, Glenn Cobbins seems to be far removed from than the drug dealing, hustling criminal he describes in stories about his past.

Today, he is seen as leader throughout Columbia's First Ward and serves as a role model for at-risk youths at the Imani Mission Center, where he is the community outreach director.

The road to community leader has been a long one for Cobbins, who committed his first crime at the age of 7. After his father left when he was 12, Cobbins said things in his life went downhill, and he had left home by the age of 14.

Cobbins, 47, said his father's absence during his formative years had an impact on his life, and he hopes to provide youths throughout the community with the father figures he never had.

"My dad was definitely part of the fabric that was missing in my life," Cobbins said. "And that's what we try to do here now. We try to provide some kind of male leadership figures in these kids' lives."

Ryan Doxley, Cobbins' nephew, said because of Cobbins' past, Cobbins was able to offer a unique perspective when Doxley had his own troubles in his youth.

"He's been inspirational because he's been down that road," said Doxley, now 32. "He just wants family friends, young men to stay out of trouble, and that's how he helped me. He always led me in the right direction when I needed it."

Judy Hubbard, who has worked with Cobbins for 10 years, said there aren't many leaders in the community, but Cobbins doesn't allow that to be an excuse for not acting.

"They're disadvantaged in that area," Hubbard said. "He's willing to tell them the truth, and he's willing to call the community into accountability."

As Cobbins became more criminally active as a youth, he began to do everything from stealing radios to dealing drugs. He said one of his biggest regrets from his past was the role he played in bringing crack cocaine to Columbia.

"If God hadn't forgiven me for what I've done, it would eat me alive, man," Cobbins said. "How could you do something as stupid as giving people this poison, this thing that would mislead them? That right there is the worst thing I've done."

After living this life of crime for 35 years, Cobbins said a combination of things led him to change his ways.

About 12 years ago, Cobbins said he started listening to the words of Malcolm X, and his conscience began to weigh on him. Around the same time, Cobbins said he was arrested on a drug-related charge, and a judge offered him a low bond because the Columbia Police Department had harassed him. He described that moment as a turning point in his life.

"I changed," Cobbins said. "I stopped smoking dope, stopped selling drugs, stopped drinking. And then I was in touch with me. My identity was clarified. Not only was my identity clarified, but my mission to serve a higher power, God, was there. And I knew I could do it, man. I would face things other people wouldn't face, and it's still happening today. That's my dope, you know what I'm saying? Serving God is my high."

Cobbins went on to serve what could have been a life sentence, but because of his participation in a drug recovery program, he only had to serve 17 months. After he was released, he began to get involved in his community, and he said his faith continues to drive his work.

"My spirituality is the very essence of my soul because I know if I get caught up in the glitter of this world, I know exactly where I'm going to go," Cobbins said. "Thirty-five years -- I've been a criminal since I was seven, trying to get something tangible, something that's physical. But you know what? It's bigger than that."