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5000 Role Models of Excellence Project – Broward County, Florida Chapter
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The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is a dropout prevention, mentoring program committed to closing the minority male achievement (access) gap by guiding minority male students along a carefully charted path through grades K-12 and college or ensuring the attainment of other post-secondary credentials, and increasing their employability in higher wage, high skills jobs within high demand industries. The program also teaches participants to respect law enforcement, the law, women, school officials, and parents. Students are also exposed to valuable educational, and leadership opportunities that are designed to develop and strengthen their leadership skills. The students and adult mentors wear a distinctive uniform consisting of black pants, a white dress shirt, and a 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project signature necktie. For more information about 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project may be found at https://www.5000rolemodels.com/broward, email MentoringAcrossBroward@browardschools.com,or call 754-321-1600.
Content Accordion
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5000 Role Models of Excellence Events
Event calendar upcoming.
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Become a 5000 Role Models of Excellence Mentor
We are always in need of committed adult males who will serve as 5000 Role Models of Excellence Mentors. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, send an email with Become a Mentor in the subject line and pertinent details in the body to Mr. Antonio Burgess, Program Manager of 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, Antonio.Burgess@browardschools.com and he will contact you within 5 business days. Thank you for your interest!
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Donate to the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project
If you are interested in providing financial support to the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project program, send an email with Donate in the subject line and pertinent details in the body to Mr. Antonio Burgess, Program Manager of 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, Antonio.Burgess@browardschools.com and he will contact you within 5 business days. Thank you in advance for your support.
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Program Goals
Our goals are designed to ensure that the youth of Broward County are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experiences that will able them to thrive in mainstream America, while instilling in them self-confidence and self-respect.Goal #1: Place at-risk boys in supportive relationships with positive and successful men in the community who they can emulate.Goal #2: Systematically educate program participants about the consequences of succumbing to societal pitfalls and expose them to positive alternatives to self-destructive behaviors.Goal #3: Provide a program infrastructure that will empower adult community role models to assume responsibility for preparing young men to effectively deal with the challenges and struggles that threaten their success. -
Program History
While serving on the School Board of Miami-Dade County, FL, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson noticed a pattern of young minority boys either being incarcerated, entering the drug trade, or dropping out of school. Not willing to sit back and allow society and poverty to destroy the lives of our children, Wilson began to challenge the men of Miami-Dade County to intervene in the lives of “at-risk” youth. Thus, in March 1993, initiated by the School Board of Miami-Dade County, the 500 African American Male Role Models of Excellence was born. Wilson’s vision gained immediate response from the community and continues to serve as a major force in the transition of raising young boys to become men. Through the expansion of this nationally recognized program, Broward County Public Schools has adopted this program in the 2017-2018 school year.
In its first year, the 500 African American Male Role Models of Excellence began to receive acclaim on the national scene being featured on “The Les Brown Show.” This exposure attracted many prominent Americans to become involved with the program. The list includes: United States Presidents: Barack Obama; Bill Clinton; George W. Bush; Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford; Vice President Al Gore; First Lady Hillary Clinton; Gen. Colin Powell; Governor Charlie Crist; Governor Jeb Bush; Lt. Gov. Buddy McKay; Senators Bob Graham and Bill Nelson; Celebrities: Danny Glover; Omari Hardwick; Malik Yoba; Charles “Roc” Dutton; Tommy Ford; Christopher “Play” Martin; JoMarie Payton; Tom Joyner; Tavis Smiley; Montel Williams; Harry Belafonte; and Dr. Bobby Jones; Singers: Gladys Knight; Eric Benet; Lou Rawls; and Betty Wright; Astronauts: Winston Scott and Charles Bolden; Authors: Jawanza Kunjufu; Leonard Pitts; Nathan McCall; Dr. Leah Tutu; Maya Angelou; James McBride; Dr. Randall Pinkett; and Dr. Alvin Poussaint; Sports Stars: Lestar Jean – Houston Texans; Udonis Haslem – Miami Heat; retired NBA players: Alonzo Mourning; Shaquille O’Neal; Billy Thompson; Irvin Thomas; and Isiah Thomas; retired NFL players: Oronde Gadsden; Keith Jackson; and Hall of Famer Jim Brown; Champion Golfer Tiger Woods; Activists: Rev Al Sharpton; Martin Luther King, III and Rev. Jessie JacksonIn 1994, the name was changed to the 500 Role Models of Excellence Project. Given the increased enrollment of mentors and students it is now recognized as the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project. Adult Role Model men are trained to salvage “at-risk” youth, who are considered candidates for society’s endangered species list. Young males ages 9-19 are paired with successful professional adult volunteers, who provide advice, guidance and educational assistance.The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project continues to skyrocket as it has received numerous awards and accolades, including recognized by President Barack Obamas’ “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative as a flagship program (2014), The Links, Incorporated Southern Area Services to Youth Award (2013), National Medical Association’s Scroll of Merit Award (2008), Florida’s First Union Kid’s Count Award (1998), Florida’s Promise to Youth Award (1998), and M-DCPS Board Magna National Award (1998), A Program That Works (2007), President’s Summit for America’s Future Teaching Example for the Nation (1997), HBO Worldwide Commercial (1997), National Conference of Black Mayors, The Bold and Blood Award Pennsylvania Legislature (1995), and Emmy Award National Black Journalist (1995). Congresswoman Wilson and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project have also appeared on CBS Evening News, CBS This Morning, The Jerry Springer’s Crime Prevention Show, and in a (HBO)Documentary. -
Program Mission
Founded by United States Congresswomen Frederica S. Wilson, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project was initiated by the Miami-Dade County School Board in March 1993, due to the realization that there is an ongoing crisis in the lives of many young males. The project’s mission is to intervene in the lives of at-risk boys, in order to provide them with alternatives that will lead them away from a life of crime and violence.In these times, many men are banished from the American economy and faced with choosing the drug market for survival (Essence, 1994), which increases violence in schools and society in general. Many of the former school fistfights are now gunfights. A large part of this escalation is because parents are not taking responsibility for their children’s actions and because positive male role models are absent. We agree, society should insist that parents be held accountable for their children’s actions and education. But who will assume responsibility for the “at-risk” youngsters, who have no parents or positive role models in their lives?The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is dedicated to providing the support necessary to reclaim our youth. Adult male Role Models are trained to salvage the “at-risk” boys, who may be considered as candidates for society’s endangered species list. If any natural resource is threatened, our nation instantly initiates strategies or programs to save that resource. Florida panthers, sequoia redwood forests, buffaloes, whales, wolves, manatees, and bald eagles are all prime examples. According to statistics, the minority male child is an endangered species. Therefore, it is imperative that we counter this threatened extinction with programs of prevention, development, and acceleration. Ponder the question . . . what is more important for our government to save . . . forests, animals, or men? Our answer must be pro-active and vigilant, for we are running out of time.
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Program Vision
Each minority male student will graduate from high school, go to college, vocational school or the military and be positioned to become a contributing and self-sustaining member of society.
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Start a 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Program at your school
If you are interested in starting a 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project program at your school, send an email with Start a Program at My School in the subject line and include a letter with the school letter head stating your interest in starting a 5000 Role Model Program to Mr. Antonio Burgess, Program Manager of 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, Antonio.Burgess@browardschools.com and he will contact you within 5 business days. Thank you for your interest!