From West Philadelphia to Wells Fargo Center, Sixers Stixers drumline gives kids a path forward
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Head to Wells Fargo Center for a Philadelphia 76ers home game, and you'll find one of the city's most recognizable drumlines.
Known for hyping up the crowd before, during and after each home game, director Antoine Mapp is the heart of the Sixers Stixers ensemble.
"I pray every single time before I go on the floor. 'God I can't believe I'm here.'" Mapp said.
Mapp humbly drums to change the lives of young people. As he explains it, "putting drumsticks in people's hands so they won't put guns in them."
Mapp has been on this mission for nearly 33 years: "to show them that anything can be done."
Those are the same inspiring words Mapp's late grandmother, Elsie Wise, spoke to four teenage girls who needed guidance.
"They were getting into fights and in trouble. Around here, there's nowhere to have any kind of activity for the kids," Mapp said.
As a kid himself, Mapp wasn't too far behind a similar path.
In an effort to keep the city's youth out of trouble, Wise created the West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad, which still practices inside Paul Robeson High School.
In 2012, everything changed. During the grand opening of Xfinity Live!, the drum squad came face-to-face with the Philadelphia Eagles Drumline.
A year later, the 76ers contacted the group of West Philly kids and made them the team's official drumline.
"For 23 years, there was no money ever being generated. Once I signed with the Sixers it changed my life. To the point I'm able to change their lives," Mapp said. "The motto is 'I pay you to save you.' Each kid gets paid for every performance they do."
The Sixers Stixers still go by the West Powelton Steppers. The dance team is front and center in the drumline twice a year.
"I'm going to continue the journey and continue to do what you set forth to do to save this community to save these kids," Mapp said.