“Black suits and Red ties”, that’s what the majority of people think when someone mentions the 5000 Role Models. But 5000 Role Models are so much more than that. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence (RMOE) is a mentorship program that finds its calling in building the future of young men. The 5000 Role Models organization was created in 1993 by Florida Congresswoman Fredricka Smith Wilson. This organization came about when Congresswoman Wilson connected the high incarceration rate with the fact that many young men of color don’t have enough exposure to positive leaders and professionals who look like them. Some 5000 Role Model traditions include the “3 Goals”, mentor meetups, and of course, the membership attire.
Members of 5000 Role Models connect with community members very often, meeting professionals who are police officers, lawyers, and doctors, for example. Members have a chance to learn what interests these people to pursue these careers, and what are some of the ways we should prepare if pursuing that particular profession. Some of the community leaders 5000 Role models got the chance to meet include representatives from various learning institutions like Edward Waters University, Mt. Herman, and the University of North Florida. What current 5000 Role Model members say they enjoy the most is when members who graduate return to the Darnell Cookman chapter meeting to visit and share advice and words of encouragement.
At the beginning of each academic year, the outgoing president gives us all the same assignment to “create 3 goals you want to reach and think of ways you can work to achieve them”. This year, after giving those instructions, 5000 Role Model members would be reminded why tracking goals are important, how lack of progress can be disheartening, and how setting reasonable goals are essential to not waste time. The creation of these goals assures that the young men will always be working toward something.
Dressing in business attire helps members become comfortable with looking like they leaders they aspire to become. More deeply, members learn that being a Role Model represents being respectful, helping others, and working hard to become whatever professional you want to be. The 5000 Role Model attire consists of a black dress pants, black dress shoes, a white dress shirt, and the ‘5000 Role Model’ signature tie. The red on the tie represents the power and confidence that is needed to seek opportunities, the large hand on the tie represents the adults willing to reach out to youth who are eager to be exposed to positive opportunities, and the little hand represents youth who are eager to accept guidance. The role models wear this organizational attire every Wednesday to stand out as developing leaders, and to fulfil a greater meaning. This attire highlights the goals of continuous improvement that students work to achieve throughout the year.
The 5000 Role Model chapter at Darnell Cookman has been continuously growing since starting at Darnell in 2021. In the beginning, the Chapter at Darnell Cookman averaged about 15 members with over 40 active members during the 2024/2025 academic year. The current members love the club and if you are a young man at Darnell, you could love it too. 5000 Role Models does not cost money and if you’re willing to spend some time each week learning and having fun, consider joining this organization. If you would like to join 5000 Role Models, contact Mrs. Peeples in the guidance office, or let one of your friends who is are already in the organization for more information. I know that each 5000 Role Model would love to welcome you.
