Miami

South Florida's 5000 Role Models Honors Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King at Annual Event

Devery Russell is a high school senior with some big aspirations, getting accepted into Florida A&M University where he will start in the fall of 2018.

Monday, Russell was joined by other members of 5000 Role Models of Excellence at its 25th annual Dr. Martin Luther, Jr. Scholarship Breakfast.

The organization was founded by U.S. Representative Frederica Wilson that guides and mentors young men of color in Miami-Dade County.

“(We’re) training them for the next level of life, for manhood, to be good husbands, and good fathers,” said Wilson.

NBC 6 anchor Jawan Strader served as emcee of the special event – filled with high ranking officials and celebrities. Included in that group was actor, director, and author Tyler Perry – who serves as the keynote speaker.

“This has been amazing and I’m just honored that she’s doing so many things for all these amazing kids who deserve all this excitement,” said Perry.

Excitement that filled the room to not only celebrate these young men, but to honor the civil rights icon and to live on his message of equality.

“Togetherness at all times, and never letting anyone divide us or split us up,” said Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.

For Russell, Dr. King’s message still stands strong today for his generations and other generations to come.

“I feel like he got the ball rolling for us and we wouldn’t be where we are today without him,” he said.

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