GRAND MARSHAL: LAROYCE C. HAWKINS

by Nikki Carpenter.

GRAND MARSHAL: LAROYCE C. HAWKINS

In this exclusive interview for Bronzeville Life, a publication by Chicago Defender Charities, Chicago PD star LaRoyce Hawkins sits down with Nikki Carpenter to talk about his South Side roots, his pride in repping Harvey, and what it means to serve as Grand Marshal in the 96th Annual Bud Billiken Parade. From comedy and poetry to acting and community work, LaRoyce shares how his journey has been shaped by where he comes from and why this Bud experience will be extra special for him.

Nikki: Before we dive in, I have to say it’s really cool when people rep where they’re actually from. Sometimes folks from the suburbs will say they’re from Chicago, and you’re like, “Okay, what’s your address?” And then it’s like, “Naperville.” So I respect that you rep Harvey. I can dig that for sure.

LaRoyce: I’m from Harvey – born and raised. Born right there in The Angles, off Loomis. But I’ve also got strong ties to Robbins—that’s where my dad’s from, Maxie Court. My big brother still lives on Hendrix, and my Auntie Petey is still over on Lydia. If you go through Robbins, you’ll see a lot of “Be Powerful” garbage cans. That’s from me and my community development initiative, Be Powerful. We’re just trying to keep the streets clean. So yeah, Robbins kind of feels like Be Powerful headquarters to me.

Nikki: Being from Harvey, do you have any affiliation or friendship with Syleena Johnson and her family?

LaRoyce: Not directly. I met Syleena once when I used to host a show called Refuge Sundays. She headlined one of the events I hosted. But I know she’s from Harvey, too. I’d definitely put Syleena Johnson on a “Top 50 Faces of Harvey” list, no doubt. She’s got to be on there.

Nikki: You’ve mentioned watching the Bud Billiken Parade on TV, and how sometimes it was hard to get there from the suburbs. Have you ever actually attended in person?

LaRoyce: I haven’t. This will be my first time. I’m honored, man.

Nikki: I can’t believe it, this is the 96th year!

LaRoyce: I didn’t know that. 96 years? Wow.

Nikki: Yep! So the fact that your very first time at the parade is as a Grand Marshal is pretty cool. A lot of us grew up going to the parade—on the sidelines, barbecuing, just trying to catch a good view. But you’re going to have an entirely different experience.

LaRoyce: Yeah, I used to just watch it on TV. Once it became a big thing, it was everywhere – on every news station. You could feel the energy, even from a distance. Coming from Harvey, going to Chicago always felt like a big deal, like a field trip. Most times, the only way we’d get there was by school bus, like if we were headed to the Museum of Science and Industry. That’s just how it was for me growing up.

Nikki: You’re going to have a great time. Just to give you some perspective, past Grand Marshals include Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali, Chance the Rapper. Jason Weaver was the Grand Marshal last year. So this is a coveted seat. A lot of people ask to be Grand Marsha. It’s a big honor. And I swear, something about becoming the Bud Grand Marshal – it’s like the Bud blessing. People’s careers take off right after. I mean, Barack Obama went on to be president! Let’s talk about your acting. Did you always want to be an actor?

LaRoyce: Acting kind of came with the bag I was given, you know? My first love was stand-up comedy. Then I fell in love with poetry during college. That’s also when I started studying acting – just thinking, as an entertainer, I should probably learn how to act too. I went to Illinois State, and I fell in love with it after my first play, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. I played Toledo.

Nikki: Do you prefer stage or screen acting?

LaRoyce: Man, I just surprised Eamonn Walker, he plays the Chief on Chicago Fire. He was performing in Liberation at the Manchester Royal Exchange in the UK. Watching him up there, it brought it all back. Theater is where I learned to act. That’s where I fell in love with the craft. I look forward to getting back on stage when the time’s right. I’ve learned so much from Chicago PD. I’ve got the TV muscle now. But theater? That’s home.

Nikki: I think I saw you at Goodman Theatre for the opening of The Color Purple, right?

LaRoyce: Yeah, I was there.

Nikki: Denzel Washington says if you want to be a real actor, get on stage first. Everything else flows from that. And starting with August Wilson? It doesn’t get any better than that.

LaRoyce: That was my first play. He broke me in. I’ll never forget it. That’s where it all started.

Nikki: We saw your Ray Charles impression and it was spot on! If you could play anyone in a biopic, who would it be and why?

LaRoyce: First of all, no one’s cooler than Jamie Foxx. If he hadn’t made Ray (2004), I wouldn’t have had a hustle! That movie was everything to me for a while. But if I could play someone in a biopic it would be Charlie Pride. I’m a fan of country music – some of it has a really poetic feel. Charlie Pride was the first Black country artist inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was a trailblazer. I think it’d be powerful to tell that story.

Nikki: What’s the most “Chicago” thing about you?

LaRoyce: Probably the Cubs vs. Sox rivalry. I’m a South Side guy—Sox all day. When I go to a Cubs game, I’ll wear all my Sox gear. I dare you to say something! I love keeping up the rivalry—it’s fun, it’s love.

Nikki: Harold’s Chicken or Uncle Remus?

LaRoyce: I’m going with Harold’s. I’ve never had Uncle Remus, though. Someone from the West Side is supposed to bring me some, but I can’t be seen going in there! \[Laughs]

Nikki: What’s your favorite pizza?

LaRoyce: I just recently got put on to Pequod’s. But I’ve always been an Italian Fiesta guy.

Nikki: Okay! We got fans over here! The interns are nodding in agreement. What are you looking forward to most at the Bud Billiken Parade?

LaRoyce: Having my son with me. This is both of our first Bud Billiken parades. Nikki: How old is he?

LaRoyce: He’s eight. And that’s about how old I was when I first heard about Bud Billiken. So this is definitely a full-circle moment for both of us. Having him by my side is gonna make it even more special.

Nikki: That’s beautiful. Welcome to Bud season! Take your vitamins and drink your water. It’s a long day, but it’s so much fun.

LaRoyce: I can’t wait.