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Find out what a role model really is and places where you can find a positive role model for yourself.

Section A: What is a Role Model?

A role model or mentor is a person who demonstrates a particular behavior, skill, or social role for another person to emulate. Role models might emerge because of character and conduct or because of particular skills and talents.

Task #1:

Click on each of the Black leaders featured below and record who they looked up to as a role models. Write down at least one trait the role model demonstrated.

SNCC Role Models Julian Bond Founding Member of SNCC Former Member of Georgia's Congress TV Commentator on America's Black Forum Chairman of the NAACP	Mary McLeod Bethune & Eleanor Roosevelt Dorothy Height Former Leader within the YWCA  Past President of the National Council of Negro Women  Humanitarian Aid Worker in area of Social Justice
Influential People: Black Role Models Vernon Jordan Lawyer  Former President of the National Urban League  Former Executive Director of the United Negro College Fund  Former Advisor to President Clinton	Influential People: Black Role Models Eleanor Holmes Norton Lawyer  Former Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  District of Columbia House Representative

Section B: Does a Role Model have to be Famous?

No, many people respect famous people because they are often skilled in a particular area such as music or sports or because they have money or power. Some famous people try to be strong role models who others can look up to and emulate. However, there are definitely some famous people with skills you respect that would be bad role models because they have gotten in trouble with drugs or the law.

Task #2:

Write down the names of three famous people that have a skill that you respect but would not be a good role model for you.

Section C: Can a Role Model be a Member of my Family?

Yes, often people select a member of their family to serve as a role model. Even if your goals differ from your family members there may be attributes of your parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and older siblings that you respect and can learn from. However, not everyone has a family member that would be a suitable role model in every way. It is o.k. to select a role model that is not a family member.

Task #3:

Each of the Black leaders below respects certain qualities of a family member. Watch each video and then write down who these leaders learned from and the qualities they demonstrated.

Breakfast Lessons & Political Parents James E. Clyburn History Teacher U.S. Congressman with focus on Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus	Influential People: Parents Earl Graves Businessman Founder of Black Enterprise Magazine Author on the topic of Black Business Development
Influential People: Grandmother Robert Franklin Minister Author of Books on Social Justice Former President of the largest African American Theological Center Former President of Morehouse College

Section D: Where Else can I look for a Positive Role Model?

Positive role models can be found all around us. Think about people you look up to from school, or religious functions, or from your neighborhood that have admirable qualities. You don't have to like everything about them, but you can still respect them for being hardworking, knowledgeable, courageous, determined, or moral or having another attribute you value.

Task #4:

Each of the Black leaders below respects certain qualities of a community member. Watch four of the five video clips and then write down who these leaders learned from and the qualities each demonstrated.

Influential People: Community Members Floyd Flake Minister - A.M.E. Cathedral Church Former U.S. Congressman Former President of Wilberforce University	Influential People: Community Members Mary Futrell Teacher Former President of the National Education Association Former Dean of Graduate School of Education
Black Community Johnnetta Cole Professor of Anthropology, African American, and Women's Studies Past President of Spellman College, a HBCU Past President of Bennett College Director of Smithsonian Museum of African Art	Influence of the Community Charles Ogletree Lawyer and Law Professor Former Chairperson of the Black American Law & Students Association Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice
WWTD? Harry Truman as a Role Model James E. Clyburn History Teacher U.S. Congressman with focus on Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus

Section E: Do you have a Role Model in your own Life?

Task #5:

Think of at least 4 people that have a skill or attribute that you respect.

Discussion Question:

Write down your personal role model and at least three traits this person demonstrates that you respect. Your role model could be a parent, teacher, religious leader, national figure, musician, sports star, or anyone else you respect and look up to. (If you do not have a role model describe the type of person you would select as a role model.) Why have you selected this person? Be prepared to discuss the importance of this individual on your life in the group discussion.