Louisiana-born Nigel Sharper ʼ06 still makes his way back at least twice a year for family, food and a proper plate. By day he works in South Minneapolis helping lead violence prevention efforts. And he’s the proud dad of a son who “lovingly reminds me that the world doesn’t revolve around me—it revolves around him.”
Q: What are the three values you treasure most in a friendship?
A: Honesty, humor and intentionality
Q: What piece of advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
A: Do what you need to do so that you can do what you want to do.
Q: What's your favorite family tradition?
A: Family gatherings at my grandmother’s home in Harvey, Louisiana, bring together three to four generations from both sides of my family. We crowd around crawfish boils, ribs, fried catfish and homemade vegetable dishes, sharing memories and experiences of both the good and the hard times. There’s always one relative with a humorous story, retold at every gathering, and somehow a little different each time.
Q: What is the best prank you've experienced or planned?
A: I was pranked by my little brother. He knows I love boiled crawfish. I was in Brainerd, about 2.5 hours from home, volunteering at a summer camp for youth with Down syndrome when he texted me a photo of a container in the fridge, saying he’d saved the last of the boiled crawfish just for me. I made record time getting from Brainerd to Minneapolis, ran to open the fridge to a container with several little paper cut outs of hand drawn crawfish. I have trust issues till this day.
Q: Would you rather explore a new planet or the deepest parts of the ocean and why?
A: A new planet, I can run faster than I can swim.
Q: What do you miss most about being a kid?
A: Waking up being happy and not even having a reason.
Q: If you are outside, what are you most likely doing?
A: People watching and some kind of outdoor sport with my son
Q: I was once mistaken for…
A: For about three years, I kept hearing about someone in Minneapolis who supposedly looked like me. People even asked if I had another brother my age (I have two brothers; my older brother had been living out of state for several years, and my little brother was still in the Lower School.) One day, while hanging with friends, a guy looked at me and said, “Wait! Are you Nigel Sharper? I don’t like you. Everyone mistakes me for you, and we don’t even look alike!” We were both just young black males with similar complexions.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: My son, Kaiden, inspires me to be the best version of me not only for my own growth but for him as well.
Q: If someone rented a billboard for you, what would you put on it?
A: “I’m cool with failing so long as I know that there are people around me that love me unconditionally.” Dave Chappelle