YESTERDAY
While serving on the Miami-Dade County School Board, Dr. Frederica S. Wilson noticed a pattern of young minority boys 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 Miami-Dade County School Board, the 5000 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 into manhood.

In its first year, the 500 African American Male Role Models of Excellence began its 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: Past Presidents: Bill Clinton, George Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford; Vice President Al Gore; First Lady Hillary Clinton; Gen. Colin Powell; Governor Jeb Bush; Lt. Buddy McKay; Senators Bob Graham and Bill Nelson; actors: Danny Glover, Charles “Roc” Dutton, Tommy Ford, Christopher “Play” Martin, JoMarie Paton-Noble, Tom Joyner, Tavis Smiley, Bill O’Reilly, Montel Williams, and Harry Belafonte; Astronauts: Winston Scott and Charles Bolden; Authors: Jawanza Kunjufu, Leonard Pitts, Nanthan McCall, Dr. Leah Tutu, Maya Angelou, and James McBride; NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown, Basketball Stars: Shaquille O’Neal, Udonis Haslem, retired Miami Dolphin Keith Jackson, and Champion Golfer Tiger Woods.

TODAY
In 1994, the name was converted to the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project. In lieu of 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 Project’s notoriety continues to skyrocket as it has received numerous awards and accolades from The National Conference of Black Mayors, The Bold and Blood Award Pennsylvania Legislature (1995), Emmy Award National Black Journalist (1995), President’s Summit for America’s Future Teaching Example for the Nation (1997), HBO Worldwide Commercial (1997), Florida’s First Union Kid’s Count Award (1998), Florida’s Promise to Youth Award (1998), and M-DCP School Board Magna National Award (1998). Dr. Wilson and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project has also appeared on the CBS Evening News, CBS This Morning, The Jerry Springer’s Crime Prevention Show, and (HBO) Documentary.

FOREVER
Presently, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project services 89 schools, within the Miami-Dade County School System, which includes 23 elementary, 33 middle, and 33 senior high. It has more than 6,000 participants, over 6,000 volunteers, and continues to grow. More than 30 components constitute the program as it teaches young boys about healthy living, responsibility, respect, and how to attain future goals. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Scholarship Breakfast provides thousands of Role Model boys with funds to further their education.