So, the third time was a charm. Columbus Short finally made it to Philander Smith College. His two previous engagements were postponed because the flu doesn’t care who you are! So there was a lot of excitement for his visit.

Of course, with him starring in the film “Stomp the Yard,” and I being the expert on Black fraternalism, my introduction talked about the history of stepping. I even tricked the crowd to make them think I was going to step right then and there (by the night’s, both Columbus and I stepped).

He talked about “When your dream meets your destiny” which was essentially his life story until now. He shared his struggles openly with the students, really trying to find himself as a young man. He shared his father was a police officer in Kansas City and was killed when Columbus was one. So he felt some of his struggles were due to his father’s untimely demise.

He also shared his struggles with faith, trying to understand his talents and how to use them. I was fascinated that at the age of 20 he was directing Brittney Spear’s In The Zone tour, after spending two years traveling the world with Stomp! He did attend a performing arts high school in Orange County, CA, and said he learned to dance in roughly one month.

He said that “celebrity let’s people hear you for some reason.” This is one of the reasons why we mix in a few celebrities with Bless the Mic. They may not be the most profound or accomplished lecturers, but I have seen them connect with students in a way many of us older folks can’t. I wish more celebrities realized their power and if they used it for good, we really could better our communities. Columbus Short is a good example.

The Prez