CLEVELAND — Bill Cobbs was a Hollywood actor, a Cleveland native, a verifiable legend, and someone who I'm still honored to have called a personal friend throughout the years.
By the time we met, his status had been cemented from over 200 credits in films like "The Bodyguard," "New Jack City," and "Night at the Museum." But at a pivotal point in my life, his mentorship became a well that I still draw from today.
The story begins at Cleveland's Karamu House, the nation's oldest multicultural theater. In 2007, this area institution hosted a program that featured me and Mr. Cobbs in a panel.
As you could imagine, I struggled greatly with what to say while sat beside someone of his caliber, but that is exactly where Mr. Cobb's mentorship of me began. The warmth and charm that lit up thousands of screens became so personal. He saw the humanity in me, and beckoning me to see the same in him.
At that event, I learned he didn't start his acting career until age 36, that he had a full life of military service, and held various jobs in Cleveland before seeking out the bright lights of Hollywood. And I believe from that lived experience, he was able to empathize with the journeys of others.
With me set to attend college in California the following month, what could have been a one-off meeting with the legend quickly turned into a very real friendship in between college courses. I remember sitting at his house watching him comb through the scripts of "Oz the Great and Powerful" and many other hits.
But our connection was never really about the acting industry. With Mr. Cobbs as my only Cleveland connection in California, I soon became a fixture at his house, spending weekends watching someone from my community do incredible things.
I wish I could impart a fraction of the wisdom behind his stories. There are so many lessons that I'll hold onto forever, but a willingness to help the next person became chief among them. If he could pick his phone up when I called, then I definitely could do the same for those that I mentor today. If he could represent excellence our city and our capabilities, then there's no excuse for any of us to not give it our all. And if he could mentor a young person from Cleveland at an important crossroads in their life, then I still have work to do.
The last time I spoke with Mr. Cobbs was two weeks ago on Father's Day to wish him a happy 90th birthday. I know a gift he would've loved would be to see his people prosper, to see hope in the eyes of the younger generation, and to see everyone — regardless of barriers — run fearlessly toward their dreams.
