08/12/2026
I shared this story years ago, however many of you may not have heard it.
By 20, I had already been living on my own for about five years. I became an emancipated minor at 15 and was paying my own bills, however nobody had taught me how to manage or save money. My father never talked to me about what I earned or how to handle it, so I had to figure that out for myself. And when a 15-year-old suddenly gets access to thousands of dollars from his trust fund, there’s definitely going to be some spending. 😂
One month I might have money from an acting job or residuals, and another month I could be nearly broke. Residuals have been a blessing since I was a kid, and I’m grateful I still receive them today. Back then, because I had worked so much as a child, I usually knew another check would come. Then I’d spend again. It became a cycle.
Around this time, I sold my BMW for about $8,000 to help my mother. I gave her most of it, kept a few hundred dollars, bought a bicycle and paid for classes at Los Angeles Valley College.
One day I had a final and sat at a bus stop in North Hollywood, running late. I prayed, “Lord, please let me get to school in time to take this test.”
Within minutes, a truck pulled up honking. It was Michael Bivins from New Edition.
I’d known Michael since I was a tween. He asked what I was doing at the bus stop, I told him I didn’t have a car, and he offered me a ride.
Inside, Michael introduced me to an up-and-coming rapper named M.C. Brains. They were playing an early tape of his new song, “Oochie Coochie.” I remember saying, “Man, this is slamming!” 😂 Later, the title registered with me. Okayyy…I get it now. 😂
Michael got me to school in time for my final. It may seem like a small moment, however I’ve never forgotten it. Whenever I see Michael or hear New Edition, I think about that day.
And anybody say anything about Michael, we gonna be fightin’. 😂 Just kidding.
I said a prayer at a bus stop, and a few minutes later, the answer pulled up beside me. 🙏
Photo: Michael Bivins and me at Shanice’s 18th birthday party in 1991 at Carlos ’n Charlie’s on Sunset Boulevard.
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