Growing up Learie...
March 1, 2011
Learie Junior Corbin (affectionately called Junior) was born to Learie St. Elmo Corbin and the late Cerleen Ifill Corbin on August 30, 1968 in London, England. Soon after his birth, he and his parents moved back to Barbados to start what would become a rich and poignant life. Junior had many talents. In addition to being an accomplished actor, he was also a competitive swimmer. From the tender age of 3, Junior expressed his love for the water, a passion shared by his father. They spent many days spearfishing together off the beautiful coasts of Barbados. He would later develop his swimming skills enough to be chosen to represent Barbados in Cuba at the CARIFTA games.
His thespian journey began as a student in the St. Peter’s School System where his love for acting took form and was nurtured by one of his school teachers, Ms. Ramsey. He would later discover that his first mentor was also his cousin. At the age of 8 years, Junior had the opportunity to travel to the United States to visit his mother; represent Barbados in Cuba as a swimmer; or be part of the play “In the Castle of My Skin” by well-known Barbadian author, George Laming. Junior’s love for acting kept him in Barbados and there he played in his first of many productions.
He migrated to the United States at the age of 13, to live with his father and step-mother in Springfield, Virginia. During his time in Virginia, Junior attended the prestigious Duke Ellington School for the Arts. He would later graduate from West Springfield High School and, because of his interest in the Arts, he opted to move to New York to pursue a career in acting where he attended Brooklyn School for the Arts. His incredible talent allowed him to take the stage in many theatrical productions, including an Off-Off Broadway production.
Junior's love for children led him to join the New York Department of Education system, where he served for over 19 years. His position as a SAPIS Worker connected many students, families, and staff with missions that extended beyond the school and into the community-at-large. He was instrumental in organizing a plethora of school-wide activities and programs. He encouraged students to respect education, cultivate their artistic awareness, and become self empowered. He was later appointed as an Associate Dean at Bedford Academy Plus High School, where he facilitated the Empowerment Youth Program through the City of New York.
Junior's great love for the elders allowed him to develop programs such as the Bedford Stuyvesant Historical Celebration, highlighting literary author Wilhelmena Rhodes Kelly, “Images of America Bedford-Stuyvesant” and the Grandparents Day Initiative which demonstrated to students the importance of community service and generational connectivity. His mentors included Dr. Adelaide Sanford, former Regent-at-Large, New York State Board of Regents and Queen Mother Jordan, Spiritual Advisor.
He was also an avid reader, a poet, a visionary, a great listener, a novice photographer and a connoisseur for all genres of music. With a tall stature, debonair attire and royal gait, he was an extraordinary colleague and friend to those at Bedford Academy High School and beyond.
Junior was a wonderful, loving and caring individual who touched the lives of all those with whom he came in contact. He was a gentle giant. His desire was to encourage those who were discouraged, to speak the love of God to those who would listen, to escalate others to higher heights, while yet expressing the need for all of us to remain humble at the foot of the cross. He wanted to make a difference in an indifferent world . . . and he did! Some people live simple, average, plain and ordinary lives; their existence on this Earth does not really demonstrate the greatness that is possible when a life is committed to a cause. Junior was a free spirit who described himself as “DIRT,” Diamonds in Rough Times. He considered all he encountered “FAMILY.
Early Thursday morning, February 24, 2011, the Lord dispatched an angel from heaven to call Junior home to rest. “Every battle now fought, the victory is won, Enter into thy Master’s Joy!” He has fought a good fight, he has finished his course, he kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give him at that day, and not to him only, but unto all of them that love His appearing.