Character counts for Austin’s Middlebrook
Published 3:32 pm Saturday, October 24, 2009
Ellis Middle Schoolers corralled into the gymnasium Friday and bopped their heads, waving their hands in the air from side-to-side, shouting “What’s up?” to one another.
It looked a bit like a rap concert. In a way, it was.
Ellis Middle School tied up its Character Counts kick-off week with an all-school assembly Friday. The presentation was led by Austin’s own Jeb Middlebrook, national lecturer, poet, veteran reality-show-rapper and current Ph.D. candidate.
“To me, this is the pinnacle of my career,” Middlebrook, the current doctoral student at the University of Southern California, said of his visit.
Donning an Austin High School football jersey (he graduated in the Class of 1998) Middlebrook said he was excited to talk about diversity and character.
“I am nothing but a product of many adults, teachers and community members believing in me. I want to pass that on to these kids, that I believe in them,” he said before beginning his presentation.
After introducing himself, Middlebrook started his presentation as Jus Rhyme — a name he takes on when he’s rapping.His rhymes were about and getting to know ones peers. Ellis students held their hands high and participated without reservations in the call-and-response part of the chorus.
Middlebrook went on to talk about the three pillars he learned growing up in Austin; work hard; celebrate eachother’s uniqueness; and volunteer in the community.
After Middlebrook graduated from AHS, he volunteered with Americorps in San Diego. Then, he went to the University of Minnesota where he earned a degree in ethnic studies. He holds a master’s in a American Studies and ethnicity from the University of Southern California and is currently a doctoral candidate there.
In 2007, he appeared on VH1’s White Rapper Show.
“This is the same school that brought me up with character,” Middlebrook said, “I am happy to see that they are still bringing kids up that way, and more happy to be a part of it.”