ICDC College sits down for an interview with Romeo Miller to talk about the importance of a college education, meeting ICDC students, saluting our veterans and more.

Romeo, many people don’t realize this, but you have been an advocate for individuals pursuing college education for a number of years. Can you elaborate on that please?

You’re absolutely right. My parents instilled in me the value of getting a college degree when I was young. In fact my father, Master P, used to make me wear a sign around my neck stating “You will go to college” and that was prophetic. It instilled a core value in me that getting an education is very important and a goal that everyone should pursue.

What was it like working with ICDC College on a Back to School campaign to encourage more people to go back to school?

I have been very grateful for this special opportunity to work with ICDC because this is a college which is about the ICDC “C C & C,” which means ICDC is about providing people with career choices, a school which cares and which gives back to the community. Here is a school that gives students the opportunity to get trained in a variety of fields that definitely can make a difference out here whether you live in South Central LA or Bel Air. For example, the health care field is not going away. Our communities need great paralegals, future lawyers. Business management is another great field. Hey, I can tell you, the entertainment industry alone needs great people trained in accounting, business, that’s a fact. The list goes on and on. I mean whatever your flavor, ICDC seems to have it.

You got a chance to actually visit the campuses, to go into the classrooms for a first-hand look. Tell us about it.

Yes, in addition to meeting many great students, I got a chance to actually go into the classrooms, and meet the instructors; individuals who are passionate about their students and the programs they teach. In fact the everyday life experience which each of these instructors bring to their individual classrooms is incredible. I’ve always said, we all need to be passionate about something. At ICDC you see that passion every day in the way the instructors go about teaching their students. I guarantee you, when the students graduate they’ll remember each of the instructors who enriched their lives. That’s real.

Tell us about spending Veterans Day last month with ICDC College. You visited all four campuses right?

Yes, I call it the “ICDC World Tour!” [He laughs] I really enjoyed meeting all the students, faculty, staff, family members and friends. I also got to take pictures with the veterans and hang out with Homeland Security students and instructors who have actually served our country. I take the sacrifices that our veterans and service members have given to our country very seriously, so it was nice to visit ICDC on that special day. I try to thank a veteran every time I get the opportunity to meet one and learn a little more about what they went through to make our nation safe.

You gave a special story to the students while on the ICDC World Tour. Can you share it with our readers?

I told them that all my talk about the importance of getting an education is for a very personal reason. I had a cousin who decided to skip school one day, and because of that one decision on that particular day, he lost his life – he was murdered. Had my cousin not decided to skip class that day, he would be here with me today.

You shared  a lot of special quotes on that day, here’s a few of them that our students said really made an impact on them. Are you ready for the “Romeo-isms,” a sort of ICDC World tour play back or re-mix?

Yeah. Hit me. [He laughs]

“With an education anything is possible.”

“Education is very important, it helped me change my life, and it helped save my life.”

“I’m here to inspire you to go out and get a better life.”

“The economy is struggling, [so get an education], because anything is possible.”

“It’s never too late to get an education.”

“God will never give you anything you cannot handle.”

“I believe God gives everybody a talent and gift, so [whatever yours is] go out and do all of it!”

I meant every word.

The Romeo ICDC rap song is quite a hit, I mean it’s catchy, “I’m so ICDC College.” Rumor has it that you came up with that whole rap in less than an hour. Did I hear that correctly?”

That’s true. A lot of people sing it back to me when I’m out and about!

You are quite active in the community giving back to inner city youth in a number of efforts. You offer a nice eclectic mix of education and fitness when working with young people today. Tell us more.

My family and I are involved in a number of community efforts that combine health improvement with education. We supported our nation’s First Lady in helping to raise awareness for childhood obesity by getting involved in a health campaign called “Fatten Our Brains Not Our Bodies.” My father and I reached out to South Central LA elementary school children in Los Angeles to encourage them to read and helped inspire a middle school to pursue higher grades by giving them computers. I love giving back. I could go on and on.

Everyone talks about your latest movies, songs and projects, but here’s some trivia that our readers might not know – You and your father, Master P were honored with a Certificate of Special Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives for your work in the community. And, you both gave back recently to the residents of New Orleans for Thanksgiving, by giving away free turkeys.

Yep, yep. That meant a lot. Yes, my family is from Louisiana, so to be able to take part in this effort really leaves a special imprint in my heart.

You’re a busy man Romeo, making movies, and leading roles I might add. You’re a recording artist, community activist, an entrepreneur, with your special clothing line, College Boyys; a high-fashion affordable brand with an urban look and feel to the community. How do you manage to handle it all?

I have a great support system in my family, my belief in God, I eat right and I work out. I believe in surrounding myself with positive people who are going places and help me want to achieve greater heights. Also, I have the spirit of my father, who raised me and all of my siblings to stay grounded, and to always give back to those less fortunate and in need.”

Thanks Romeo. All of us here at ICDC appreciate the time you took out of your busy schedule to visit with us and to speak to me now.

Thank you. I enjoyed it too. Peace.

 

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website (http://icdccollege.edu/).