5000 Role Models changing lives at Fairmount Park

The 5000 Role Models program at Fairmount Park Elementary School held its induction and tie-tying ceremony on Dec. 21.

BY RAVEN JOY SHONEL | Staff Writer

ST. PETERSBURG — The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project at Fairmount Park Elementary School held its induction and tie-tying ceremony on Dec. 21. The school cafeteria was decked out in red and black balloons with red carpet laid for the 11 scholars.

The young men proceeded into the room two by two, locked arm in arm with their accountability partner, who is a fellow student, always ensuring each other is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

BetterWay BBQ and Catering, First United Methodist Church and the many Fairmount Park staffers helped to make the evening a success.

The young men were treated to a feast courtesy of BetterWay BBQ and Catering and First United Methodist Church.

Founded in 1993, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project’s mission is to intervene in the lives of at-risk boys to provide them with alternatives that will lead them away from a life of crime and violence. The mentoring program helps scholars build teamwork, camaraderie, education and day-to-day life skills.

“One of our biggest goals for those scholars is to help them transition from boys to young men and to have a connection in brotherhood that extends past elementary, middle and even high school,” said Christian Davis, program coordinator and assistant PE coach at Fairmount Park.

When asked to take over the program, the 21-year-old was a little hesitant, not knowing what was in store, but seeing the scholars’ improvement from the start of the program until now has quelled any reservations he might have had.

“The smiles on the young men’s faces as they see themselves practicing for this event and being prepared to put the ties on to transition to young men who are willing to understand the significance of not just being role models for their siblings and in the community but here at Fairmount Park as well.”

The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project is a dropout prevention and mentoring program committed to closing the minority male achievement (access) gap by guiding minority male students along a carefully charted path through high school and college or ensuring the attainment of other post-secondary credentials, and increasing their employability in higher wage, high skills jobs within high demand industries.

Davis started mentoring with the 5000 Role Models while attending Boca Ciega High School to fulfill his required volunteer hours and soon fell in love with the program. After graduation, he went into the Air Force Reserves. Once he completed basic training, he decided to start working and put college on hold.

His mother encouraged him to apply for Fairmount Park’s assistant PE coach position. He aced the interview, realizing that impacting the lives of our youth is his calling. Picking up where he left off with 5000 Role Models, Davis was soon asked to lead the program.

“It was rough because of me being young, not knowing what to do with these guys. Sometimes, being young, they consider you like a friend, but not only am I a friend, I am your mentor,” he said, adding that being a coach and a mentor means you are constantly in demand.

The program meets every Thursday from 3:15 to 5 p.m. The boys volunteer around the school, guess speakers come in, and they have tutoring sessions, game and movie nights. Next month, nine new members will join the group, bringing the total to 20.

The Fairmount Park team

The 5000 Role Models serve young men from ages 9-19 who have promise but are at risk because of negative behaviors or socio-economic conditions. They are referred by school principals, counselors, teachers, or parents. At Fairmount Park, Davis has assembled a loving and caring team to mentor the students.

Second-grade math teacher Kendrick Davis is a 5000 Role Models mentor. He began volunteering with the program last school year when he noticed there were not enough male teachers, especially Black male teachers, at the school. He remembers his days as a program participant while attending Southside Fundamental Middle School and wanted to make a difference in the lives of Black youths like the program made a difference in his.

Kendrick Davis enjoys teaching at Fairmount Park. He has wanted to be a teacher since his sixth-grade math teacher inspired him. Kendrick told himself that he would teach if he didn’t become a singer. Fortunately for Fairmount Park, he entered the classroom instead of the recording studio.

Kendrick Davis (front) and Christian Davis gave the young men roses and had them present them to the person who has been a positive influence and role model in their lives.

Third-grade educator and 5000 Role Models mentor Jennifer Loomis has spent her whole teaching career at Fairmount Park. She can’t remember if it’s her 10th or 11th year, but she loves the school just the same.

“I absolutely love the kids. I love working here, which is why I continue coming back. I see the need that our scholars have — to have that extra person in their life just to help them, whether they need somebody to talk to or academically,” said Loomis.

She started off helping Davis with the program but transitioned into a full-fledged mentor.

“I just feel like it gives me that one extra thing that keeps me coming back to work every day because they need it. They need the extra love. They’re children; they need as much love as they can get. So that’s why I just continue doing it.”

Vice Principal Andrew Akapnitis with 5000 Role Models mentors Ashley Carrington (middle) and Jennifer Loomis.

The program’s role models are typically men whose real-life accomplishments can inspire young men to succeed. However, with the lack of volunteers, two female educators are standing in the gap.

“I don’t mind being one of the only females doing it. I definitely see the need where we do need males, but I don’t mind being that person if we don’t have extra people,” Loomis stated, noting that she’s taught many of the mentees.

Ashley Carrington has spent her five-year teaching career at Fairmount Park. She enjoys molding the youth, mentoring with 5000 Role Models and with the Girlfriends of Pinellas County Schools program.

“We have always had more — but not enough — mentors for [the Girlfriends] program than we do with our boys, and our boys are the ones that really need more of that mentoring, more of that guidance, more of those one-on-ones, and so that’s where the need is at.”

Carrington stressed the need for more volunteers, especially with the boys. Although she loves mentoring girls, she likes the challenge of reaching her male mentees.

“It is definitely more of a challenge, so just being able to form those relationships, that’s kind of what’s gratifying for me.”

A mother’s love

So, what makes a 21-year-old want to be responsible for shaping young lives?

“He’s always been an old soul from a little kid to where he is now. That’s always been him,” said Untilla McCall-Davis, Christian’s mother and behavior specialist at Fairmount Park.

McCall-Davis could not stop gushing about her son, who is the youngest of five. She said he has always had a compassionate heart and a willingness to work with people.

“He’s just genuine, an all-around good guy.”

Untilla McCall-Davis, Christian and Christopher Davis

McCall-Davis said her son picks the youth up on weekends, buys them clothes, gives them opportunities to work and make money, teaches them proper hygiene and buys products for them, such as toothpaste and deodorant.

“His objective has been, since he’s been at this school, to impact the lives of these young guys who don’t have a lot of male role models in their lives,” said McCall-Davis. “And with him being such a young guy, they grow an attachment to him.”

Her coworkers have thrown the phrase “golden child” around, and it’s easy to see why. Davis attends Greater Mt. Zion AME, where he sings in the male and combined choirs and is a newly appointed steward.

“When he was in high school, I would come home from work, and the dinner would be cooked. Candles would be lit because he knew I would come from work stressed out. House cleaned; floor mopped.”

According to McCall-Davis, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. “His father, Christopher, is the same way.”

Being in the reserves, Davis reports to McDill AFB one weekend out of the month and has plans to attend St. Petersburg College to obtain a teaching degree.

If you are interested in being a mentor or volunteering at Fairmount Park, call 727-893-2132.

2023-24 5000 Role Models Mentees

Zion Ashley, Adrian Blake, Jaffari Blue, Jamarrion Blue, Mikayo Bryant, Zion Bryant, Jessiah Edmonson, Nhe’ojae Jones, De’Angelo Lee, Channing Taylor, Gabriel Wimberly (unable to attend)