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Birch has spent most of the new millennium traveling the tri-state area, providing thousands of high school students with the inspiration to pursue dreams of a college education. As a consultant with a higher education program, Birch has a rich database of scholarships and grants to share with students so that their dreams can be realized. But it's not the database that leaves audiences breathless after seeing Birch. It's the way the 6'8" tall biracial son of adoptive white parents weaves in the dramatic tales of his youth to convince them that no matter their background or circumstances, they can change their lives for the better.

It was a lesson that Birch learned the hard way. Just six weeks into his tour of duty in the Army, an errantly fired artillery shell landed in front of Birch's platoon. Five were killed, 27 seriously injured. Birch's physical wounds were not as bad as the psychcological wounds. Two years later, he was honorably discharged for continuing battles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Life rapidly spiraled downhill after that. Birch found himself associating with the wrong crowds while rejecting the white parents who had reared him with love. Worse yet, in doing what wrong crowds do, he started operating outside of the law . He was caught after a short while, and faced a lofty sentence. His adoptive parents put up their $400,000 home to keep him free until trial. Birch was convicted, but miraculously received only 10 years, and ultimately served just three. A grateful Birch made every day redemption day. He earned a General Studies Degree from IU and participated in every social rehab program available.

After release, Birch struggled mightily to find employment. He did not give up or revert to old and destructive means, though. He pursued his childhood passion for the stage and performed for professional theatres in Warsaw and Syracuse, Indiana. He was Malcolm X in a 1996 production of "El Haj Malik" at the Fort Wayne Performing Arts Center. He was nominated in 2003 for an Anthony Award following his portrayal of Tom Robinson in a production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the Fort Wayne Civic Theater.

He eventually won employment in sales and marketing at a shoe store, car rental company, radio stations, and one of the city's most exclusive private clubs. Soon after, Birch's acting and vocal skills began being tapped in commercials for companies such as Dodge, BMW, Chevrolet, BET, & Kia.

Birch is now hard at work spreading his message across the country. He wants to keep others from getting trapped on the road that cost him many years of his life. Or if they've made the mistakes, he's determined to show them how to catapult the challenges.

Among his honors, Birch was voted "Teacher of the Week" at Marion High School in 2003. He was chosen as the keynote speaker for the Future Business Leaders of America State Convention in 2004. In the summer of 2004 he spoke to students in New York and New Jersey and toured Ft. Wayne Elementary Summer Clubs with his student adored "Educational Rap". He was a speaker at the 40th Anniversary National Head Start Convention along side Dr. Adolph Brown and Senator John Kerry in Orlando. In October he is slotted to return to Florida to be the keynote speaker at the Redlands Christian Migrant Association's Annual Convention with a guest list featuring Governor Jeb Bush. He will also be speaking in Washington D.C. for Head Start in early December.">

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© 2005 Columbia City High School Alumni Association     This page last modified 09/27/2006