Press Releases

MIAMI – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) has invited Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Administrator Dr. Theron Clark to join her at the White House for President Obama’s roll-out of his “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative to help young men of color. The event will take place at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, February 27, 2014, in the East Room.

The President will collaborate with foundations, businesses, and community leaders to make sure that every young man of color who is willing to work hard and lift himself up has an opportunity to get ahead and reach his full potential.

Congresswoman Wilson founded the successful 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a comprehensive drop-out prevention, scholarship and mentoring program, for at-risk boys in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

“I am honored to be a part of President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative. It is a step in the right direction toward improving the outcomes for young men of color.

Only through unified efforts and proven programs designed to meet the needs of at-risk boys and young men of color will we succeed in ending the school to prison pipeline and high unemployment.

Through the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, I have seen firsthand that providing structure, discipline and role models can make a difference in the lives of young men of color and improve their odds of getting an education to become productive citizens. There have been thousands of success stories since the Role Models program was founded 21 years ago.

It is a proven program that works and I am ready to get to work with the President to launch initiatives nationwide that provide opportunity for young men of color facing tough circumstances.” said Congresswoman Wilson.

The event will be open press and streamed live on www.whitehouse.gov/live.

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Congresswoman FredericaS. Wilsonis a second-termCongresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school. Along with Congressman Bill Posey, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, Congresswoman Wilson serves as founding Co-Chair of the Florida Ports Caucus, a bipartisan taskforce that coordinates federal action in support of Florida’s harbors and waterways.