The project’s mission is to intervene in the lives of at-risk boys, in order to provide them with alternatives that will lead them away from a life of crime and violence.

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is a dropout prevention, mentoring program committed to closing the minority male achievement (access) gap by guiding minority male students along a carefully charted path through grades K-12 and college or ensuring the attainment of other post-secondary credentials, and increasing their employability in higher wage, high skills jobs within high demand industries.


Participant Selection

Minority boys, ages 9 -19 year olds who have promise but are at-risk because of negative behaviors and/or socio-economic conditions are referred by school principals, counselors, teachers and/or parents. The program primarily serves children who are being reared without the benefit of a father or a positive male role model, and most students enter the program in middle school and continue activities throughout their high school and post-secondary education years.