The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is a mentoring program founded in 1993 in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The program pairs at-risk minority boys with adult male role models to help guide the boys to manhood and prepare them for college. It now serves over 6,000 students in 98 schools across Miami-Dade, Pinellas, and Duval counties. The program aims to provide positive alternatives to behaviors like dropping out of school and engaging in criminal activity. Mentors volunteer their time to mentor boys through activities like field trips, conferences, and scholarship opportunities.

1. South Florida’s Premier Mentoring Program
5000
ROLE MODELS
OF
EXCELLENCE
PROJECT

2. Founder
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson

3. Program History
Dr. Frederica S. Wilson, had a vision while serving on The School Board of
Miami-Dade County, Florida:
 Dr. Frederica S. Wilson saw a need to change the pattern of minority boys
being incarcerated due to high drop out rates and drug trade.
 She began to challenge the men of Miami-Dade County, Florida to intervene
in the lives of "at-risk" youth.
 March 18, 1993, 500 African American Male Role Models of Excellence was
founded and initiated through The School Board of Miami-Dade County,
Florida.
 In 1994, the name was changed to 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project
due to the increased enrollment of mentors and students.

4. Program Mission
5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is to intervene in the lives of “at-risk”
youth through mentorship in order to provide them with alternatives that will
lead them away from a life of crime and violence or marginalization. The 5000
Role Models of Excellence Project pairs young men with adult male role models
who are trained and committed to guiding them along a carefully chartered
path to manhood and sending them to college.

5. Program Goals
5000 Role Models of Excellence Project focuses on three general
principles:
 Pinpointing positive images of emulation in our community;
 Identifying and implementing positive alternatives to self-
destructive behaviors and societal pitfalls;
 Everyone must assume responsibilities, preparing our youth for the
challenges and struggles in today’s society.

6. “It Takes An Entire Village To Educate One Child.”

7. Program Description
 In-school dropout prevention and mentoring program for minority
young boys “at-risk” of dropping out of school and/or choosing a
life of crime.
 The program serves more than 6,000 students in 98 Miami-Dade
County Public Schools ( 32 Elementary, 34 Middle/K-8 Centers and
32 Senior High Schools). The expansion program in Pinellas County
Schools serves more than 2000 students in 65 middle and senior
high school chapters, and in 2015-2016 Duval County Schools
opened another 10 chapters.

8. Program At A Glance
COLORS – Red, Black and White
SYMBOL – Man’s hand touching a boy’s hand
MISSION - Committed to guiding minority boys along carefully
chartered path to manhood and sending them to college.
MOTTOS – “Many hands lighten a heavy load,” and “It takes an entire
village to “educate” one child.”
SIGNATURE TIES - Red represents power, small hand touching large
hand imprinted on tie.
APPROPRIATE ATTIRE - Role Models necktie, white dress shirt, black
dressed shoes and black pants.
5000 ROLE MODELS SIGNATURE SNEAKERS – Awarded to students
who earn A’s, B’s, and C’s in academics and conduct for current grading
period.

9. Program At A Glance
FIGHT SONG – “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now”
MENTOR PRAYER – Written by the late Role Model Dr. Robert Ingram.
SCHOLARSHIPS - Eligible graduating seniors only (medallion, and signature
scholarship certificate).
POLICE and YOUTH BROCHURE – A brochure with guidelines to follow for
law enforcement.
HIV/AIDS BROCHURE - A brochure to inform and educate HIV/AIDS
Awareness.
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS – 98 Chapters (32 Elementary, 24 Middle, 10 K-8
Centers and 32 Senior High Schools).
DATE FOUNDED – March 18, 1993
FOUNDER – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson, U.S. House District 24
PARTICIPANTS – More than 6,000 boys and mentors.

10. Mentors & 5000 Role Models

11. 2015 - 2016 Program Highlights
 District’s Premier Mentoring Program
 City of Miami Fire College
 Vocational Education Career Fair- Career in a Year
 Spotlighted as District Premier Mentor Programs
 Florida East Coast Railroad Apprenticeship Program
 Knight Foundation Grant for Senior High Role Model Students Trip to Washington, DC.
 Inaugural Academic Signing Day Awarded over 81 Scholarships to Role Model Students for a total of
$500,000.
 Recognized by President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” Initiative as a model mentoring program
in the United States.
 Expands to Duval County Public Schools with 10 Middle Schools and High Schools

12. 2015 – 2016 Wilson Scholars

13. Program Activities
Schools are assigned at least three (3) field trips per year:
 Teen Summit (Health Fairs, Violence Prevention, Police & Youth
Relations, College Preparation)
 Jail/Prison & Court Tours
 Experiential Field Trips
 Christmas Summit – Elementary Schools
 Enrichment Summit – Middle & K-8 Schools
 Vocational Fair – High Schools
 Middle & High School Conferences

14. Student Centered Enrichment Activities
 Miami Dolphins Student of The Week
 Miami Times Student of the Month
 Jackie Robinson Day Ambassadors for the Miami Marlins
 Summer Dual Enrollment
 College Preparation- FIU, FMU, MDC

15. Mentors

16. You Can Become A “Successful Mentor”
If you…..
 Must have a personal
commitment to be a part of
other people lives, to help them
with tough decisions.
 Must respect individuals for their
abilities and right to make their
own choices in life.
 Must listen and accept different
points of view.
 Must have the ability to empathize with
another person struggles.
 Must have the ability to see solutions
and opportunities.
 Must build relationships and
communicate.
 Remember… “Mentors are average
people who have the qualities of a
Good Role Model!”

17. Mentor Activities
 Regional Tie-tying Ceremonies
 Fall Induction Ceremonies
 MLK Scholarship Breakfast
 School Site- Tie Tying Ceremonies

19. STAY CONNECTED!
www.facebook.com/5000rolemodels
@5000rolemodels@5000rolemodels
www.5000rolemodels.com
www.youtube.com/5000rolemodels
5000 Role Models of Excellence Project
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson
Founder
Paul V. Wilson
Administrative Director School Operations/5000 Role Models of Excellence Project
5000 Role Models of Excellence Project
1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 227
Miami, FL 33132
Phone: 305-995-2451 ext. 2
Fax: 305-995-2455
Email: 5000rolemodels@dadeschools.net