Blog Topic:
What leader of business, philanthropy, education, or politics do you most look up to and why?
Albert Brunn, Age 14
The person I look up to most in politics is definitely Barack Obama. He has been a phenomenal leader for me, and I bet for other people too. He has opened huge doors for many everyday people. He has opened health care doors for people and he is opening economic doors for The United States Of America. He is a person that is willing to sacrifice and help others in need. I admire him for that because he reminds me so much of my dad. The only thing is, my dad isn’t the President of The United States of America. I wish I could meet President Obama and get a tour of the White House. He is a great person. I look up to him. From my perspective it’s not what you are but who you are.
Latoya Massie, Age 16
From the list of African American Women in Business: 10 hottest Business Divas I have picked #4. Malaak Compton-Rock “Who has a passion for helping others create viable avenues to earn a living. With programs such as StyleWorks, which helps women on welfare transition to professional life, and Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Services, which takes teens from Brooklyn to South Africa, Compton-Rock’s Angel Rock Project is a social services business worth the investment.” says the website BV on Money. Why do I look up to Malaak? The reason is that she has helped me a lot and handed use opportunities, paths, and roads to choose. She has opened my eyes to places that I wouldn’t even think of visiting. She has shown me that I can be and do anything I put my mind to. Giving me a piece of mind, comfort, and confidence to succeed in life.
Dasia Carr, Age 14
The leader that I look up to is Michelle Obama. I look up to her because she’s stands behind her husband is also very active in making things better for our country as shown in her visits to schools and trying to fix the problem with childhood obesity.
Vandesha Walker, Age 14
I look up to my English teacher . I look up to her most because I one day want to become a teacher and she is the best teacher in the school(so far). She cares a lot about her students and their work. I remember when she gave up her time to tutor some students who she though was capable of taking the English regents. People really didn’t care about it so they stopped going and she just gave up.
Jenee Lawson, Age 16
A leader in philanthropy that I look up to is Malaak Comptom-Rock. She is an amazing person to look up to and I respect her. She gives, gives and gives as much as she can to help a cause. Especially her help in South Africa. She travels most of the time back and forth to South Africa to help grannies and other families struggling. She teaches her two daughters that giving is better than receiving. Malaak has helped me and my fellow ambassadors understand the true meaning of giving and that we shouldn’t take things for granted. This is why I look up to her.
Sayris Pallares, Age 15
I look up to the president of the united states. He went threw a lot in his childhood. But he didn’t let that stop him from getting good grades. And achieving any goals that he set for himself. Through out life many people will put you down . But it’s up to yourself to keep your head up and ignore what others say. Obama didn’t let anyone stop him. That’s why I look up to him. He was very focused. Some day I would like to be just like him.
Jordan Ratley, Age 14
To me Alicia Keys has been a sensational educator around the world. She’s been going around the world including Africa where she’s helped lots of kids to have an education. Her singing is what really got me to know her more as an educator. I like the way how she goes about her business and how she handles things in her own way. Over the past 6 months she’s been spending her time in the eastern hemisphere. On that side of the Earth, there a lot of poverty and its very fun to see someone as famous as Alicia Keys take action.
Donovan Rogers, Age 15
Dear JFC Followers,
Philanthropy is about giving of yourself, whether it is with money or your time. All you have to do is care about something – an organization, a cause or a mission – and give something of yourself to support that which has touched your heart. When I think of philanthropy, I think of the phenomenal Oprah Winfrey. Oprah has already left an indelible mark on the face of television. From her humble beginnings in rural Mississippi, Oprah’s legacy has established her as one of the most important figures in popular culture. Her contributions can be felt beyond the world of television and into areas such as publishing, music, film, philanthropy, education, health/fitness, and social awareness. As producer and host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah enlightens, entertains and empowers millions of viewers around the world.
I look up to her because ever since we went to South Africa to give service, I have always wanted to continue aiding the world non-stop. Ms Winfrey has performed most of my ideas, and I look up to her as a big sister.
Oprah has been honored with the most prestigious awards in broadcasting, including the George Foster Peabody Individual Achievement Award (1996), the IRTS Gold Medal Award (1996) and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ Lifetime Achievement Award (1998). In January 2001 Oprah was dubbed Newsweek’s “Woman of the Century.” In November 1999, Oprah received one of the publishing industry’s top honors, the National Book Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Gold Medal, for her influential contribution to reading and books. In June 1998, she was named one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th Century by Time Magazine.
If you asked me, this sensational woman deserves far more than that. She is one of today’s heroes, and I don’t mean Batgirl or The Human Torch…she is truly a Wonder Woman!
Yours truly,
Donovan Rogers
Benjamin Goode, Age 13
I look up to Barak Obama because he had a lot of heart to run for the presidency. Also because he is brave because he never knows what or can happen to him when he goes up on stages to make different speeches to different communities. I also look up to Malaak Compton Rock because it took a woman with a heart to start a program in a low income community to change a lot of lives called Journey For Change.
Queen Clyde, Age 14
A leader of politics that I look up to is Marty Markowitz. Mr. Markowitz is one of my new leaders because he knows what its like to have nothing and work his way up to a lot. He’s funny, smart, and from what I hear he knows about politics. I can look up to this man and know that he knows how I feel sometimes. He is honestly a great man.
To read about the first mission trip to South Africa in 2008, please go to:
http://angelrockproject.com/arp/projects/journey_for_change.asp
Journey for Change: Empowering Youth Through Global Service uplifts the lives of inner-city youth through global travel, volunteerism and advocacy work. More information on the program can be found at www.angelrockproject.com.
