Sheletta and Superman surprise superhero store clerk with cash reward

When an out-of-control school bus rolled past him with its doors open earlier this week, Ebro Ahmed didn't hesitate.

“I saw the driver was having a medical emergency,” Ahmed said.

The East St. Paul store clerk sprinted into action, jumped aboard the moving bus which had 18 kids and the driver on board, and pulled the emergency brake—preventing a catastrophic crash and bringing everyone to safety.

When a crowd gathered on Oct. 22 in East St. Paul for a special presentation at the site of the rescue on the street outside Ahmed’s workplace Bricks Snacks and Tobacco, he was caught off guard.

"I didn’t know what was going on until I saw the big check," Ahmed said with a smile. "It was a really big surprise. I wasn’t expecting it."

The surprise presentation was organized by Sheletta Brundidge, founder of the nonprofit ShelettaMakesADifference.org (SheMAD). Brundidge said she felt an immediate calling to honor Ahmed after watching the surveillance video of his swift intervention.

"I was like, wow! This is amazing, this is a real-life superhero," Brundidge said. "Not all superheroes wear capes; some are store clerks. So, I wanted to do something to honor him, honor his sacrifice, his bravery, his commitment."

Brundidge came up with the idea after hearing Ahmed comment in news reports that his friends were calling him Superman.

"That’s when the idea popped into my head and the Lord was like, find Superman, get over there and honor that young man," Brundidge said.

After an extensive search, Brundidge found Brian Lepel, a professional Superman performer. Without hesitation, Lepel adjusted his schedule, put on his cape, costume and red boots to stand alongside Ahmed during the check presentation.

“All this guy is missing is the uniform, because I could picture Superman jumping into the bus, stopping it, all the kids cheering, and the driver coming to."

Lepel added that the rescue would leave a lasting impression on everyone involved.

"Those kids and that driver are going to remember that moment as a key moment in their lives for the rest of their lives," Lepel said. "I’m honored to be here — this is why we do this, to find and highlight real heroes and to inspire others.”

As Brundidge and Lepel presented Ahmed with the oversized check, Ahmed stood humbly before the gathering crowd.

The check from Brundidge is one of many donations she’s made in the community. Her multimedia production company, ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com (SMML) was just honored with a Minnesota Keystone Award for its outstanding corporate philanthropy and commitment to community giving. The award is for businesses that pledge at least 2% to charitable causes. Brundidge’s company, SMML, donates 10% annually.

While holding the oversized check, Ahmed remained deeply modest about his bravery.

"It feels good. You guys are giving me credit even though I don’t really think I should be rewarded," Ahmed said. "I’m grateful that everybody can see the type of person I am, the type of person my family and the people I grew up with raised me to be. It makes me proud. I was put in this world for a reason. I haven’t found that reason yet, but I do think I was put in this world to help people."

Ahmed, plans to invest the money from Brundidge. Guided by his faith, he views the reward not as personal gain, but as an opportunity to support his community.

"In my religion, you have to give a percentage of your salary every year, and I always say once I get big boy money, adult money, I’m going to invest more in my community and people that don’t have it."

As the ceremony concluded, Ahmed embraced the lighter side of his new nickname and promised to fully step into the role for the upcoming holiday.

"Everybody is telling me I have to dress up as Superman for Halloween," Ahmed said. "I better order it now so it comes in time for Halloween."