The 5000 Role Models Of Excellence is a foundation created by Congresswomen Fredrica S. Wilson during her early days serving on the Miami-Dade County School Board, when she noticed a pattern of young minority boys either being incarcerated, entering the drug trade, or dropping out of school.
The goal of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence as well as Congresswomen Frederica S. Wilson’s goal is to provide at risk, minority male youth with positive role models and experiences, empowering them to make good choices, encouraging healthy living, being responsible and achieving their goals.
Club Sponsor Mr. Bernard, when asked about the change that the 5000 Role Models brings, said ‘’ The change that it has brought is crazy. I’ve seen kids that probably would’ve ended up incarcerated or on the streets turn into productive young men with families”.
Sophomore and club member Amon Funes says that he joined the 5000 Role Models because ‘‘Coach Bernard told me that I should join since I seemed like a good kid’’. He said, ‘‘Being in 5000 Role Models has helped me feel better about just being myself and not having to act cool like a lot of people try to be.’’
The 5000 Role Models of Excellence not only teaches young men how to be productive members of society, but it also rewards them for being great students. They reward them through the Fredrica S. Wilson Scholarship Program, which awards students with a full ride scholarship to any school, as long as they have been in the 5000 Role Models program for 4 years and have a 3.5 GPA.
Seniors and club officers Jaquan and Daquan Edwards say, ‘‘The 5000 Role Models has changed our lives and has given us a chance to go to college for free. This year we were able to earn a full ride scholarship from the Wilson Scholarship and we plan to use to attend Florida Memorial University.’’
Top 5 Notable Members
- Terron Armstead (Current Miami Dolphins Football Player)
- Udonis Haslem (Former NBA Player)
- Shaquille O’Neal (Former NBA Player)
- Jim Brown (Former NFL Player)
- Lester Jean (Former NFL Player)
