We had the good fortune of connecting with Sampson McCormick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sampson, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
The most important lesson that my career has taught me, is the importance of giving others as much support as you’d like to get. For a long time, I thought that if you worked hard enough you could do it all alone and everything was this big competition, slowly, overtime, I learned that we need a tribe, mutual support and there’s no harm in celebrating the success of others even when it seems like things aren’t happening as quickly with what you’re doing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been entertaining professionally for over two decades. As a comedian, I am and was one of the first known out black gay stand up comedians. It presented several challenges during the earlier days because gay wasn’t trendy (like it is now) so i the agencies or clubs weren’t booking me. I had to book my own theaters and gigs, while building my own audience (before Instagram, etc.) It took lots of hard work, and walking through different layers of hell. It helped me truly understand why it’s important for me to do what I do and also why it is important to create opportunities for others who have shared that same experience.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m in so many different cities. So we may need a private jet! My favorite spots in Atlanta are pretty simple (Q Time) in West End, delicious soul food that I’ve been going to for YEARS! Slutty Vegan is also a favorite, and we’d have to hit up one of the hidden gem dessert spots I go to, there’s a spot over in west end that serves vegan desserts, they’re black owned and the lemon cream cheese vegan pound cake will make you SLAP somebody!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My biggest shout outs go to folks who have had to do a lot alone, maybe without the support of family or certain resources, but have had the faith to keep showing up anyway. That takes lots of strength and tenacity.

Someone else whose kindness is still with me to this day is my second grade teacher, Ms. Diane Walters. I wasn’t granted a lot of patience as a kid, and because of that, I thought I was stupid. But, she took her time, pushed me, and her class (4th quarter) was the only time I made the honor roll in Elementary school, it was because she believed in me and helped me find something in myself that’s stayed with me since then.

Website: http://www.sampsoncomedy.com/

Instagram: @sampsonmccormick

Twitter: @officialsampson

Facebook: Facebook.com/samps247

Youtube: YouTube.com/sampson247

Image Credits
Credits on photos are Don Harris (DC) Sampson McCormick Jamaal Murray (LA) Love The One You’re With (Amazon Prime)

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