GSU Alum becomes a nationally known Party Professional
By: E’Vonne Gipson
Things were not always easy for Grambling State University alumni, Dalan Sharpe, but he didn’t let that stop him from setting very high standards for himself at an early age. At 11 years old, Sharpe spent a night helping his father, James, a waiter at Carriage House restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas, wash hundreds of dirty dishes during a Westover Hills house party.
Sharpe said his father wanted something much better for him because he knew that his job was extremely demanding. Many people say that you have to be a great follower to become an outstanding leader, but Sharpe swore from that night of scrubbing in the kitchen that he would never follow in his father’s footsteps.
Sharpe’s father continued to lead by example by bringing Sharpe along to help serve and clean at house parties. He pushed his son to perform to the best of his abilities at whatever he was trying to accomplish.
Receiving an education was imperative in this family, and Sharpe’s father made sure that he had the opportunity to receive a quality education.
He attended O.D. Wyatt, a predominantly black public high school in southeast Fort Worth, and Grambling State University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1995.
In 2000, after experiencing and enjoying teaching in Fort Worth public schools such as Morningside and O.D. Wyatt, Sharpe felt that a service career was the perfect fit for him and decided to start his own company. When he told his father his plan, he asked him if he was sure he was going to be able to handle the pressure of the job and get a good amount of gigs.
“If you want to get into the business, you need to see it up close and have the heart for it,” Sharpe said.
At 42, Sharpe is now in charge of his own small group of waiters, bartenders, and busboys. He has grown to adore his career, and one unique thing about him is that he serves in style. No important Fort Worth soiree is complete without Dalan and his signature custom bowties.
Sharpe did not know exactly what he wanted to do with his life, so he became a mentor for teenagers, determined to keep them on the right track.
“I want them to get their education first. I work them as hard as I can, so that they can decide if they have the right character to work in this business long term,” the Party Professional said.
Dalan and his team, which consists of his mother, brother and father, work more than 100 events during the September through December party season. These events include annual events like birthday celebrations, weddings, homecomings and extravagant out-of-town parties.
He has done what he loves locally and nationally. He has worked for local restaurateur Grady Spears and occasionally has had the pleasure of working with famous event planner Preston Bailey, who he has been mistaken for many times.
Arriving at success was not a walk on the beach for Sharpe. He hit and stumbled over a few bumps in the road and even got lost a few times on the way. Today, Sharpe is one of the thousands of students that remained focused during college, graduated from GSU and became a leader in the community.