The Role Models were in the Nation’s Capitol to participate in Congresswoman Wilson’s forum ‘High School Class of 2014: Saving Our Sons’
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson and the 5000 Role Models at the Nation’s Capitol for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference 2013.
By Gwen Belton
‘The Role Models were in the Nation’s Capitol to participate in Congresswoman Wilson’s forum “High School Class of 2014: Saving Our Sons,” during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference 2013. Congresswoman Wilson convened a panel in D.C. Sept. 20, 2013 that included Trayvon Martin’s father Tracey Martin, civil rights lawyers, and policy experts, celebrities including Robert Townsend and Malik Yoba, and community leaders for a lively discussion about the issues facing Black men and boys and to come up with strategies for improving outcomes in the areas of health, education and economics.
The event was moderated by Rev. Al Sharpton, host of MSNBC’s Politics Nation and founder of the National Action Network.
The discussion with the panel of distinguished guests took place before a standing room only crowd and streamed live on The Root.com and Youtube.
Congresswoman Wilson is the founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a dropout prevention, mentoring and scholarship program for at-risk boys in the Miami-Dade County Public School System. As a result of the program, founded 20 years ago, hundreds of African American boys lacking male role models and guidance in their lives have gone on to college to become doctors, lawyers, educators, community activists – the list goes on and goes. Congresswoman Wilson feels the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project and its record of success can be used as a model in cities and schools around the country to provide, motivation, inspiration and support for at-risk young males.
“The well-being of the African American male can no longer take a back seat. We must stop the so called school-to-prison pipeline. It’s time for a coherent multi-sector debate and agenda to close gaps in education, employment and health care for good. I know from experience and from the successes of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, that if we work together, we can find solutions to save our sons,” said Congresswoman Wilson.”
