6figgadilla the historian
Shermann “ Dilla” Thomas, also known as the urban historian, or his least favorite nickname, The TikTok historian, grew his platform through TikTok, demonstrating the amazing things about Chicago and how our city contributes to the building of America. He is known for saying, “Everything great about America comes from Chicago.” Known for his amazing facts told through 60-second videos, he has gained recognition from several news outlet stories such as The Today Show, Fox 32, Chicago Tribune, and any other Chicago newspaper. Through his several interviews, people learned that his day job is a starting area operated at Comed. A proud husband and father of seven, his whole purpose of getting on TikTok comes from one of his younger children, Bayleighs. 6figgadilla is truly a sight to see and is doing his best to show Chicago in a positive light within the media.
But he is also my father.
But he is also my father.
His journey through my eyes
Ever since I was little, I was with my dad. Every free moment I had was with him, and despite his newfound fame, it is still true. I have missed or been late to school because I wanted to watch him finish this TikTok and get the perfect take, or even just go on his newest interview or tour. I was right by his side watching his several interviews. After hearing the car ride about how he's not prepared, I sat across the room and watched his charm on everyone in the room. He always has an answer for every question, and no matter how many interviews he does, it's not the same response. I watch him spit out facts that many people never heard of with ease and hardly any thought as if he was made to do it.
His largest project was his tours, which you can book at chicagomahogany.com. Starting a business is not easy, and starting a Black-owned business is even harder. His tours are one of the things he works the hardest for, staying up refreshing on his reading and driving all around the city so he knows the directions to each stop (because he refuses to use GPS). He makes sure he has a bus and bus driver even throughout the shortage. Since Juneteenth of 2021, my dad and I have hosted several tours around Bronzeville, the Stockyards, and our school’s neighborhood, Pullman, as he tells all the facts, and I hold his water and call out the time so he doesn’t go over. We have given hundreds of people, school children, CEO directors, and the Bears wonderful highlights of the GREATEST city on earth.
My dad always says how I don’t think he’s cool, and all my friends do, and it’s true. I don’t just think he’s cool because he wants to be on the Kelly Clarkson show, or because famous people know his name. Or because he is currently being highlighted on the Chicago Bears Instagram story, or because he’s constantly people’s special guest. I’ve always thought he was cool when he would pick me up for school because he was working nights, and I missed when he spent 5 hours every day playing Super Mario Brothers with me, how he took me everywhere and every Que knew who I was. My dad was cool when he snuck ice cream for me, when he is proud to say what school I go to and the colleges I have been accepted to.
I probably will never tell him how cool I think he is just because I am his kid, but as my friends and I drive through the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, I catch myself telling the story of the first heart surgery performed by a Black man on a Black man, or how I excited I am to tell people that 6figgadilla is my dad, that every time an article comes out, I send it to my friends and announce it to my teachers.
Check out my father and my best friend on all social media platforms @6figgadilla. Read his articles at the Washington Post, his appearance on the Today Show, the Kelly Clarkson Show, and NBC 1st look, and the article in the Chicago Times. Book a tour on his website and learn about Chicago history, our history today!
His largest project was his tours, which you can book at chicagomahogany.com. Starting a business is not easy, and starting a Black-owned business is even harder. His tours are one of the things he works the hardest for, staying up refreshing on his reading and driving all around the city so he knows the directions to each stop (because he refuses to use GPS). He makes sure he has a bus and bus driver even throughout the shortage. Since Juneteenth of 2021, my dad and I have hosted several tours around Bronzeville, the Stockyards, and our school’s neighborhood, Pullman, as he tells all the facts, and I hold his water and call out the time so he doesn’t go over. We have given hundreds of people, school children, CEO directors, and the Bears wonderful highlights of the GREATEST city on earth.
My dad always says how I don’t think he’s cool, and all my friends do, and it’s true. I don’t just think he’s cool because he wants to be on the Kelly Clarkson show, or because famous people know his name. Or because he is currently being highlighted on the Chicago Bears Instagram story, or because he’s constantly people’s special guest. I’ve always thought he was cool when he would pick me up for school because he was working nights, and I missed when he spent 5 hours every day playing Super Mario Brothers with me, how he took me everywhere and every Que knew who I was. My dad was cool when he snuck ice cream for me, when he is proud to say what school I go to and the colleges I have been accepted to.
I probably will never tell him how cool I think he is just because I am his kid, but as my friends and I drive through the historic Bronzeville neighborhood, I catch myself telling the story of the first heart surgery performed by a Black man on a Black man, or how I excited I am to tell people that 6figgadilla is my dad, that every time an article comes out, I send it to my friends and announce it to my teachers.
Check out my father and my best friend on all social media platforms @6figgadilla. Read his articles at the Washington Post, his appearance on the Today Show, the Kelly Clarkson Show, and NBC 1st look, and the article in the Chicago Times. Book a tour on his website and learn about Chicago history, our history today!
SHEMAIAH THOMAS
