5kRole Models Begin Manhood Training in Elementary School

Eleven Carter G. Woodson Elementary School students made history as members of the first elementary chapter of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence program in Duval County Public Schools.

For 27 years nationally the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project (5000 RMOE) has epitomized the essence of what it is to be a young man of character and purpose. The mentorship initiative is aimed toward providing opportunities to empower minority male youth to make good decisions. Young men from grades 3 – 12 participate in various cultural and educational experiences such as visits to college campuses, etiquette workshops, and job and career building trainings.

The young participants journey begins with the Tie Tying Ceremony.  Students are brought in front of caring adult men who have faced some of those same fears, adversity and obstacles but overcame them in order to obtain a level of success in their respective career fields and life in general.  Held publicly, the ceremony allows the incoming young men an opportunity to pledge to their parents, school and community to be teachable, respectable and accountable.

The student Role Models have made a commitment to complete community service hours, to attend various field trips and career shadows, and to serve as ambassadors at the school and in the community. The young men wear white shirts, black dress pants & shoes with signature neck ties. During the Tie Tying students who have made a commitment to be leaders on campus are recognized by having the 5000 RMOE signature red neck tie placed around their necks.  The ties are red, representing power and are imprinted with the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project logo (a small hand, representing “young men of promise” next to a large hand, representing the positive adult role model.) Students from feeder schools Northwestern Middle and Jean Ribault High School participated in the Tie

Tying and will serve as student mentors to the elementary school students.

These students are now among the nearly 450 students that make up 16 chapters of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence program in Duval County Public Schools. Students in the program have had an average of an 80 percent decrease in behavioral referrals and a 23 percent increase in overall GPA. Young men from grades 3 – 12 participate in various cultural and educational experiences such as visits to college campuses, etiquette workshops, and job and career building trainings. Students also serve as ambassadors for the program and the school district throughout the City of Jacksonville. Each participating school has a 5000 RMOE Site Director who serves as a club sponsor to facilitate speakers, field trips, and assist in mentor recruitment. Shown is student Edmond Collins Student at Jean Ribault High School and new member Carter G. Woodson Elementary School 4th grade student Ernest Alexander.