Milton Saul of New York City on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Milton Saul and have shared our conversation below.

Milton, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I start my day with a prayer, thanking GOD for allowing me to wake up, healthy and for giving me another opportunity another day to enough family and life. I take a few minutes to meditate 5-10 minutes just to gather my thoughts. on what my plans, purpose and goals are for the day. which I normally have on a to do list. I’ll check my phone and email to see if I missed any important or urgent calls, text or emails. Shower, brush teeth etc. Have breakfast, a little workout. I make sure to spend time with my Wife Lesley talking and encouraging each other.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Milton Saul, though most people know me as Kool Milt. I’m a proud native of New York City—born in Harlem and raised in the Bronx, in a neighborhood called Edenwald that helped shape the man I am today. I’m a husband, a father, a brother, and above all, someone who believes in living with purpose.
I’m an actor currently residing in the suburbs of Atlanta, and I’ve been truly blessed to work on a wide range of television, film, and commercial productions. I’ve had the honor of Executive Producing a movie and connecting with incredible individuals across the film industry. My journey has been enriched by training under various acting coaches and schools—an experience I deeply value. For anyone aspiring to act, I can’t stress this enough: training is essential. It’s the foundation that allows you to grow, stretch, and truly embody the characters you portray.

Before stepping into the world of entertainment, I served in law enforcement, retiring as a Captain with the New York City Department of Correction. That chapter of my life gave me a wealth of real-world experience—lessons in leadership, resilience, and humanity—that I now draw upon in my acting. It’s helped me bring authenticity and emotional depth to the roles I play.
Beyond the screen, I’m the founder and owner of Mattieu Ethan I AM ME, an apparel brand rooted in individuality and self-expression. “I AM ME” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a declaration. It’s about embracing who you are, unapologetically. Our brand also stands for something bigger: raising awareness and supporting causes that impact our communities, including Autism, Premature Birth, Cancer, and At-Risk Youth. We design fashion for those who want to wear something meaningful—something that speaks to their journey and values.
As an extension of that mission, I created HOAGBIK, which stands for Helping Others and Giving Back Is Key. Through mentorships, programs, sponsorships, and community resources, our goal is to uplift others and build platforms that foster growth, healing, and opportunity.

Everything I do—whether on set, in business, or in life—is driven by a desire to inspire, empower, and give back. That’s the legacy I’m building, one step at a time.

Final note: Just a few projects that I’ve completed

Carolina Caroline
The Silent Witness
Tell Me Why
Willow’s Tree
That They May Be One

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I began to the see the World differently after the passing of my Mother. I was 21yrs old at the time. I always believed she would be here with me and my siblings. She was such a giving and loving person and did the best she could to make sure her children were good. I always wanted to be able to do more for her but that wasn’t in God’s plan

After her passing that responsibility became mines to look after my younger siblings which pushed me harder to be better, do better, a better brother and role model. I saw the World continuing to move forward and not stopping for me. Life continues on and you have to adjust and figure it out. People would say Here today gone Tomorrow, but see it as Hear Today Gone Today. Tomorrow not promised. Make the best of every second memorable, be an inspiration to others, and tell family and friends how much you love them because one day your clock will stop, and the World’s clock keeps ticking.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say this: Your thoughts shape your reality. Believe in your dreams, because with positivity and persistence, they can come true. See yourself as powerful and worthy, no matter where you come from or what others may think. Learn to say no to people and situations that drain your energy or offer no growth.
Most importantly, nurture your mind—read, learn, and stay curious. Don’t let anyone cloud your vision with doubt or negativity. Your strength lies in your ability to think independently and stay rooted in your truth.

And one more thing: learn financial independence early. Understand how money works, how to save, invest, and build wealth. Don’t wait for someone else to rescue you—build the life you want through smart choices and self-discipline. Financial freedom gives you options, peace of mind, and the power to walk away from anything that doesn’t serve you.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends often describe me as incredibly resilient—not just because I endure challenges, but because I confront them head-on. I don’t shy away from adversity; instead, I lean into it, searching for solutions where others might see dead ends. Whether it’s a personal setback or a professional hurdle, I approach each situation with a problem-solving mindset, determined to find a way through.

Even within my family, there have been moments when life threw curveballs—situations that were completely out of anyone’s control. And yet, my friends constantly ask me, “How do you do it? How do you manage everything going on and still find the energy to act, to stay focused on your clothing brand, to keep pushing forward?” The truth is, I stay grounded in optimism. I believe that even the most tangled situations can unravel with time, patience, and effort. Things have a way of working themselves out when you refuse to give up.

I’ve always looked at life the way I look at math: every problem has a solution. It might take time, trial and error, and a few wrong turns, but if you keep working the equation, you’ll eventually find the answer. That’s how I live—always calculating, always adjusting, always believing that clarity is just one step away

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I want people to say that I encourage and motivated them to make choices that benefit their lives. That I inspired them to be passionate about their dreams and go after it. That I was a man of great character a loving Father, Husband Brother, Grandfather and Uncle. That I planted a foundation of work and sometimes I had to re cement the cracks in it so that it could hold up against the weight of doubt, naysayers, and disappointments, That the choices I made were from within, life experiences, some influence by good other influence by bad but the ultimate decision was mines to make and I chose to make choices that allowed me to plant seeds that grew to be fruitful of self-respect love,, resilience, and determination to reach beyond the stars.

I want people to remember my clothing apparel, the mission statement and meaning behind the name Mattieu Ethan I AM ME.

My acting career, and the characters I portrayed to help tell a story.

And lastly that I was a man who love and believe in GOD because without him I would have no story to tell. authenticity. I want them to remember the roles I played, the stories I helped tell through my acting, and the emotions I stirred in others.
And above all, I want it known that I was a man who loved and believed in God. Because without Him, there would be no story to tell. Every chapter, every triumph, every lesson—He was the author behind it all.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Miltpn Saul

Jami’L Carter

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