Rising Stars: Meet Corey Whitfield

Today we’d like to introduce you to Corey Whitfield.  

Hi Corey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been a dancer since I could walk. From the age of 5 until now, Hip Hop has been my Life/Lifestyle. I had no formal studio training, only street training and being in the Hip Hop scene. As I got older, I started to incorporate gymnastics, and even then, I had no formal training in a gym; I learned on my own watching the neighborhood kids. By the time I turn 14, I had stopped dancing and flipping and got fat in high school. By the time I graduated, I was over 300 lbs. At the age of 19, I found this Gymnastics facility called “All World Gymnastics.” That place was the catalyst to the success I have now. It led me to my first-ever breakdance crew and first Official Dance Crew @nonymous. It also led me to working for the Detroit Pistons and numerous dance studios around the Michigan area. Working the Detroit Pistons was the second catalyst that open up doors for me to travel to Africa three times, work with and tour with the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters, also tour and perform with the USA Dunk Team and SYTYCD Season 10 and 12, where I made it to Vegas both times and making to the green mile! Now I run my own successful DJ/Entertainment Company and still mentor and teach gymnastics and Hip Hop all around the Michigan area. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
There many struggles along the way. Injuries, broken down and beat up cars, being put in jail for a bad driving record, debt up to my ears in court fees for driving record (driving on a suspended license mostly lol, No DUI or any drugs) 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I own my own DJ/Entertainment company called “Mission Accomplished Entertainment”. We provide music, dancers, and photo booths for all types of parties, such as Weddings, Birthday Parties, School Events, Corporate Events, and Night Clubs. 

I also work for a tumbling facility called “Game Changer Tumbling”. I am the top coach in the facility that specializes in teaching private tumbling lessons for gymnasts, dancers, and cheerleaders. With all my extensive knowledge in Hip Hop and gymnastics, I help manage over 100 clients. 

I also teach at “Vibe Dance Academy” as their Hip Hop Choreographer for the competition team. At the studio, I teach them the real art form of Hip Hop and other styles such as Popping, Locking, and House Dance. 

I am most proud of all my students that I have mentored over the past 2 decades. Lots of the them have gone to do great things and become very successful. 

What sets me apart from everyone else is my outlook and perception of life and how I speak positivity into all of my students and people in general, not to mention my ability in dance and how I transfer my creative dance thought process into my DJing. 

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I tell all my students to follow these steps and will help in many life situations: 

Be open-minded or keep an open mind 

Set smaller goals and get rid of your timeline 

Take constructive criticism 

Don’t respond emotional to something physical that you haven’t physically done yet (helps process fear) 

Mentally prepare, physically act, then mentally understand (helps with consistency and improvement) 

Reevaluate, visualize, then apply (helps with consistency and improvement) 

Make improvements, not excuses 

What you can’t control, let go and what you can control, control to your best ability 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/bboymission
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dj_missionaccomplished/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corey.m.whitfield