Kalamazoo Times

Jimmie Comer III created the Empower the Youth RSO on campus to inspire, educate and empower young people to change the world. His work earned him recognition with two awards at the 2024 Black Excellence Gala.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—When it came to choosing a stage for the next act of his education, a teenage Jimmie Comer III had his pick of colleges. A promising performer in Detroit's prestigious Mosaic Youth Theatre, Comer had an opportunity to audition for representatives from nearly two dozen university programs. One stands out in his memory: Kate Thomsen, assistant professor of acting at Western Michigan University.

"She was very kind, well-spoken and truthful," he says. "She was the only professor or director to watch my performance and give me something to improve, and I really liked that about her."

Comer was involved in several WMU Theatre productions, including "The Tempest." Thomsen was also one of 22 representatives to offer Comer a scholarship and a spot in their acting program. He considered going somewhere closer to home but made a last-minute decision to head to Kalamazoo.

"Ultimately, the reason I ended up choosing Western is because they believed in me and I believe in them," Comer says. "It was a very unique experience, but I think it was one that ended up cultivating relationships that will last forever."

Now, four years later, he's leaving Western with much more than a bachelor's degree in theatre.

"I know that I have a group of people who are always going to support me no matter where I go, no matter what room I walk into," he says. "And I'll always have a place to come back and call home."

Western's theatre program is nationally recognized for its excellence. From the time they step on campus, students have opportunities to engage in main stage productions and learn from top instructors. Comer wasted no time getting involved, landing roles in shows including "Sweat," "Skeleton Crew," "The Tempest" and "Intimate Apparel."

"I think both as a person and an actor at Western I learned to be honest and walk in my truth and my vulnerability and my identities," he says. "I learned how to intentionally grow, and I learned how to turn my dreams into reality. I learned how to collaborate. And I learned when you hear the word 'no,' it's really the world just saying, 'Not now.'"

Comer had a lead role in WMU Theatre's "Intimate Apparel." His love for acting has evolved into aspirations of building his own theatre and production studio as he's grown his leadership skills at Western. His education didn't just unfold on stage; one of his most impactful experiences came when he accepted a job as a resident assistant on campus.

"It ended up being really powerful because I had an opportunity to grow my relationship skill-building and I got to work with people who genuinely loved collaborating."

The team in Housing and Residence Life supported Comer during a family tragedy that threatened his college plans.

"I remember trying to go into work, and I had no idea what to do. The instant love, protection and willingness they showed to work with me and my family really encouraged me," he says. "All these people poured a lot of love, patience and understanding into me."

This support inspired Comer to create Empower the Youth RSO on campus.

"Our mission is to inspire, educate and empower young people to change the world today," Comer says. "(Residence hall director) Gigi Ward specifically inspired me to create an organization where students can be protected—a safe haven for expression."

Over the past year, Empower the Youth has hosted numerous events aimed at engaging students and creating community—healing sessions, advocacy conferences, Black History Month celebrations, Writer's Guild events, and career fairs focused on diversity.

"I'm passionate about community-building," says Comer who won Student Leader of the Year and Best New RSO awards at the 2024 Black Excellence Gala for his work with Empowering the Youth.

"We hope we are helping change student lives across this campus by leading with love, patience, kindness, goodness and joy."

Comer is interviewing for positions with several theatre companies while considering one job offer already received. Through Western's Broncos Lead Internship Program he interned with Gryphon Place—a nonprofit focused on connecting resources for healing—and gained experience relevant for future theatre endeavors.

"I learned language skills related to restorative justice which will help cultivate welcoming cultures in future projects."

Western provided him with education giving confidence as he ventures into professional realms.

For more WMU news visit WMU News online.