Tydell McNeal was born in Chicago, IL. He grew up in the Cabrini Green Community, which is known as one of the worse projects in Chicago. He was raised in a single family of three brothers, Tydell was the middle child.

Tydell attended Schiller Elementary school and graduated from Near North Career High School. He also attended Olive Harvey College of Chicago where he studied radio disc jockey.

At the age of five, Tydell’s mother noticed the talent and skills that he possessed for dancing, tumbling, and singing. At that point, he joined the Jesse White Tumbling Team. He has served over twenty years as a Jesse White Tumbler in Chicago, IL. He has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Bermuda, and Tokyo Japan. He has made many appearances including The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno, Good Morning America, The Jenny Jones Show, The David Letterman Show, and The Oprah Winfrey show. He starred in movies including Ferris Buehler’s Day Off, Lady Blue, and Heaven is a Playground. He has also performed stunts in the movie Meteor Man starring Robert Townsend. Other appearances include commercials for Coca-Cola, The Chicago White Sox, and Ronald McDonalds Children’s Foundation.

Career Highlights

• 1997 to 2000, Tydell was determined to give back to his community by teaching boys and girls from poverty-stricken areas, basic tumbling skills. He believes that when you go through this world and become a celebrity, you should give something back.
• 2003, Tydell relocated to the Evansville, IN area with his family. He is the father of two daughters and a son. After relocating to this area, he attended the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival, during the parade, he did not see any tumblers. This gave him the inspiration to form a tumbling team in this Tri-State area.
• 2004, Tydell founded the Tri-State Tumbling Team. The team consisted of five children. The Tri-State Tumbling Team has now had over 54 children that have performed with its organization.
• 2005, Tydell was the mascot for the University of Evansville (Ace Purple). During the home basketball games, the Tri-State Tumbling Team has had the opportunity to perform.
• 2005, Tydell began working with the Tri-State Food Bank. They began serving a hot meal to the children at each practice held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This program ensured that these kids receive a healthy and nutritional meal at least twice a week.
• 2006, Tydell incorporated a fitness program into his organization. The fitness program teaches the kids to live a healthier lifestyle.
• 2007, Tydell is going on his fourth year volunteering his time with the kids on The Tri State Tumbling Team to make a better lifestyle as well as future for them. He wants to ensure that they are staying away from Drugs, Gangs, Alcohol, and away from the street violence that is out in our world today.