Real Role Models

<p>All young people need good role models and black youth especially need positive and real examples beyond the famous and wealthy people they see on <i>SportsCenter</i> highlights and MTV <i>Cribs</i>. While success as a celebrity athlete or entertainer may seem like an achievable dream the reality is that young African Americans have a much greater chance of succeeding in the professions through education and hard work-and a mentor to show them the path. <i>Real Role Models</i> introduces high school and college-age African Americans to twenty-three black professionals who have achieved a high level of success in their chosen fields and who tell their stories to inspire young people to pursue a professional career and do the work necessary to achieve their dreams.</p> <p>Some of the individuals profiled by Joah Spearman and Louis Harrison Jr. include Leonard Pitts Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the <i>Miami Herald</i>; Melody Barnes Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council; Danyel Smith editor-in-chief of <i>Vibe</i>; and Dr. Tim George Chief of Pediatric Neuroscience at Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas. They and other interviewees describe their backgrounds career paths and desire to give back by helping others reach their goals. Representing a wide range of occupations these real role models prove to African American youths that a whole world of successful rewarding careers awaits them.</p> <p>The Real Role Models</p> <ul> <li>Rufus Cormier JD Partner at the Baker Botts Law Firm Houston Texas</li> <li>Melody Barnes Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Washington D.C.</li> <li>Eric Motley PhD Managing Director of the Aspen Institute's Henry Crown Fellowship Program Aspen Colorado</li> <li>James McIntyre Spokesman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency Washington D.C.</li> <li>Tracie Hall Assistant Dean and Librarian at Dominican University River Forest Illinois</li> <li>Kimberlydawn Wisdom MD Surgeon General of the State of Michigan Lansing Michigan</li> <li>Timothy George MD Chief of Pediatric Neuroscience at Dell Children's Medical Center Austin Texas</li> <li>Victoria Holloway Barbosa MD Ethnic Dermatologist and Former Executive for L'Oreal Chicago Illinois</li> <li>Bill Douglas White House Correspondent for McClatchy Newspapers Washington D.C.</li> <li>Leonard Pitts Jr. Columnist for the <i>Miami Herald</i> Miami Florida</li> <li>Danyel Smith Editor of <i>Vibe</i> Magazine New York New York</li> <li>Ed Stewart Managing Director of External Communications for Delta Airlines Atlanta Georgia</li> <li>Lynn Tyson Vice President of Investor Relations for Dell Austin Texas</li> <li>Willie Miles Jr. Founder and CEO of Miles Wealth Management Houston Texas</li> <li>Horace Allen Founder and CEO of TeamPact Atlanta Georgia</li> <li>Deavra Daughtry President and CEO of Excellent Care Management Houston Texas</li> <li>Je'Caryous Johnson Founder and CEO of I'm Ready Productions Houston Texas</li> <li>Steve Jones Cofounder of a graphic design company Oakland California</li> <li>Isiah Warner PhD Chemistry Professor at Louisiana State University Baton Rouge Louisiana</li> <li>Gloria Ladson-Billings PhD Professor of Education at the University of Wisconsin Madison Wisconsin</li> <li>Bernard Muir Athletic Director at Georgetown University Washington D.C.</li> <li>Craig Littlepage Athletic Director at the University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia</li> <li>Beverly Kearney Women's Track Coach at the University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas</li> </ul>