Today, the Institute was brought to a close with a ceremony in which the seniors were congratulated for their success in their classes, internships and other activities. Each graduating senior stood before the audience assembled at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown as the Institute’s president, William Keyes, read his bio and presented him with a diploma and lapel pin. Keyes was joined in the presentations by professors William Allen and Thomas Rustici. The two professors also gave brief remarks.
This ceremony was the first that was attended by the parents of every graduating senior. Some came from as far away as California. Also in attendance were donors, including Diana Davis Spencer of the Shelby Cullom Davis Foundation and Richard Walker, Vice President for Corporate Giving at Friedman Billings Ramsey. Spencer and Walker were presented gifts as tokens of appreciation for their support since the Institute’s founding. The gifts were group photos of current students and alumni taken on the Georgetown University campus during alumni weekend. The seniors also presented gifts to Keyes, Allen and Rustici, Institute staff, and the three Summer Fellows—Christopher Binns, Bernard Holloway and Fred Jones—who graduated one year ago.
A special feature of this year’s graduation was music performed by five Institute scholars. They opened the event with the National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and closed it with an improvisational piece that included all five singing, plus piano and beat box. The music was upbeat, causing everyone to leave on a most festive note.
Scholar-musicians John Harper, Barron Ryan, Brandon Piper and Clarence Mitchell performed an abbreviated version of their July 17 National Endowment for the Arts concert in the main conference room at Epstein Becker & Green, PC. The performers were introduced by the firm’s founder, Steven Epstein, who has supported the Institute since its establishment. The firm provided food and beverage for all of the attorneys and support staff in attendance. The performers ended the concert with an improvisational song about lawyers.
The Honorable Janice Rogers Brown has served on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 2005. She previously was an Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court. She spent much of her time with the scholars discussing her role as a jurist and the difficulties she sometimes faces in deciding tragic cases, such as those of habitual drug offenders who might otherwise be good people but run afoul of the law because of prior mistakes that have left them addicted. Beyond the law, she led a stimulating and thought-provoking discussion about the direction in which the country is headed and the role the scholars can plan in protecting American values
On Sunday afternoon, Institute alumnus Edward Sanders, a member of President Bush's White House staff, invited current scholars to visit the South Lawn to meet the President upon his return from Camp David. The occasion proved to be a wonderful opportunity, as the President appeared to be relaxed and ready to talk with the few fortunate individuals who were treated to this rare opportunity. After disembarking, the President walked along a rope line of individuals, most of whom were members of his staff and family and friends of staff members. When Mr. Keyes told the President of the caliber of young men he was meeting, the President said, simply, "the best and the brightest." When he described the mission of the Institute, the President responded, "Just tell them to contribute to the country.”
For the third year, Institute juniors visited the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a private briefing with Secretary Alphonso Jackson. In previous years, the twelve students met around a conference table in the Secretary’s office. With a larger class of 24 scholars, this summer’s session was moved to a larger room in HUD’s headquarters, the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building. The discussion was no less intimate, with the Secretary answering questions ranging from the effectiveness of the federal government’s response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster to the constitutionality of HUD programs. As always, Jackson encouraged the scholars to continue to work hard, with the goal of becoming successful enough to be able to help other people. He also told the scholars that one of the benefits of their hard work in college is that it puts them in touch with others who will run the country one day.
John Murdock of the law firm Epstein Becker & Green, whose founder Steven B. Epstein was a founding supporter of the Institute, called together numerous Washington lawyers for a reception with Institute scholars. The reception was held in the moot court room at Hogan & Hartson LLP. Steven C. Lambert of Foley & Lardner LLP addressed the assembled lawyers and scholars, describing the relationship his firm has established with the Institute to educate young men about the practice of law.
Members of the National Endowment for the Arts, internship supervisors, fellow scholars and other friends of the Institute were treated to an exciting performance by scholars John Harper (Oberlin, Sr.), David Wilford (LaSalle, Sr.), Barron Ryan (Oklahoma, Jr.), Clarence Mitchell (Maryland, Jr.) and Brandon Piper (DePauw, Jr.). Harper is a Vocal Performance major and has won several awards for his singing. He plans to become a professional opera singer. He interned at the NEA during his first summer in the Institute. Ryan is a Music major, specializing in Piano Performance. He too plans to become a professional musician. He is interning at the NEA this summer. The students performed an impressive variety of selections, which included opera, gospel and show tunes. Ryan accompanied most pieces, though Mitchell played the piano and guitar while singing successive songs. The scholars exceeded everyone’s high expectations and received a prolonged standing ovation at the conclusion.
John McConnell is truly a friend of the Institute. In previous summers, McConnell has been the opening speaker for a writing workshop that the Institute provides its seniors along with twelve carefully-selected interns from the Heritage Foundation. This summer, McConnell’s schedule did not allow him to participate in the writing workshop, but he invited senior scholars to the White House for a brown bag lunch. McConnell discussed his role as a presidential speechwriter and answered many questions about the White House policymaking process. The event was schedule for one hour but lasted for more than two.
The senior class traveled to Maryland to meet with the state’s recently-inaugurated Lieutenant Governor. They found the session to be one of the most inspiring of the summer. In addition to answering the scholars’ public policy questions, Brown talked about his life and his commitment to public service. He was born to a Jamaican father and Swiss mother who embraced the opportunities that America provided. Following their advice, he worked hard to take advantage of America’s opportunities. He became the first African American student government president at his high school and graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1984. While in Cambridge, he also joined Army ROTC and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He went on to graduate first in his class at flight school. After serving in the Army, he enrolled at Harvard Law School. After practicing law for several years, he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, where he served as Majority Whip from 2004 until he was elected Lt. Governor this year. He had an interlude from politics in 2005, when he was deployed as a reservist to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Following a three-hour Saturday morning Economics lecture, the junior class changed into business attire and headed to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Institute alumnus and White House staffer Edward Sanders was joined by other staff members who led the scholars in small groups through the working section of the White House. They visited the Cabinet Room, Roosevelt Room, Rose Garden, Press Briefing Room and, of course, the Oval Office.
Representative Donald Payne, a New Jersey Democrat, chairs the House Subcommittee on Africa. This afternoon, he talked with the Institute’s seniors about challenges and developments in Africa as well as American policy toward the countries of that continent. The scholars found him to be “extremely personable, candid and genuine.” Several of the seniors had traveled to Africa through Study Abroad programs. One, Stefan Lallinger, lived in Tanzania for seven years.
Civil rights leader, presidential advisor and corporate director Vernon Jordan hosted Institute juniors at the Dupont Circle office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and Feld LLP, where Jordan serves as counsel. He greeted each of the scholars individually, noting that the Institute selected its first scholar from his alma mater, DePauw University, this year and paying particular attention to the scholars from his hometown, Atlanta. After extending personal greetings, he shared with the scholars insights that he has learned from his roles as collegiate chauffeur to a white Atlanta business executive in the 1950s, college intern, president of the National Urban League, head of the United Negro College Fund, presidential advisor, lawyer, and Wall Street executive. Following his talk, Summer Fellows Christopher Binns, Bernard Holloway and Fred Jones presented Jordan with the Institute’s 2006 Award for the American Ideal. Recipients of the award are selected each year by the senior class and announced at graduation.
For the fifth straight year, Representative John Lewis hosted the junior class at his Capitol Hill office. As always, he spent more time with the scholars than was scheduled. This time, a total of four hours. Lewis talked principally about the Civil Rights Movement and his role in planning some of the monumental events, including the March on Washington. In discussing the March, he focused his attention on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, but noted that he was the youngest person to speak at the event, at barely older than the scholars themselves. As in previous years, the Congressman hosted the scholars in his office in the Cannon Building, where the walls are covered with pictures, plaques and posters that commemorate some facet of his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Given that this year’s class was doubled in size from previous classes, today’s visit was especially cozy. Following the session, Lewis invited the scholars to walk over to the Capitol to take pictures.
Early Saturday morning, the Institute’s seniors boarded a bus for New York. After arriving there, they checked into their hotel and went to Brooklyn to attend the African Street Festival. In the evening, they met Mr. Keyes and his wife for dinner at the famous soul food restaurant, Sylvia’s, in Harlem. Afterward, they visited Times Square.
On Sunday morning, Keyes was joined by a few Institute alumni for a worship service at Abyssinnian Baptist Church and brunch at a local restaurant in Harlem. The alumni and all of the seniors spent the afternoon on a river cruise around lower Manhattan, which gave them close views of the Financial District, Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations.
While the Seniors visited New York, the Juniors spent their time getting to know each other better while learning more about the city in which they have chosen to spend two summers. The highlight of the weekend was the Institute’s first annual Capital Scavenger Hunt. Summer Fellow Bernard Holloway divided the junior class into five teams and gave each team twelve clues. They were allowed only one camera and were prohibited from using any type of technology to answer the clues. To receive credit for solving the clues correctly, the teams were required to provide a photo with all of the team members and the object of interest included.
The teams departed Georgetown at 2:00 in the afternoon. The first two teams to finish their missions returned to campus shortly after 6:00. The third team returned a little after 8:00 and the runner-up at 9:15. The winning group arrived at 11:00 p.m., nine hours after starting. They demonstrated that success in this competition required stamina as much as smarts.
The wining team consisted of Barron Ryan, Oklahoma; Sean Mickens, Howard; Brandon Piper, DePauw; Aaron Miesczanski, Williams; and Barrett Young, Harvard. The reward for winning was dinner with Mrs. & Mrs. Keyes at Clyde’s of Georgetown the following weekend.
This afternoon, the Institute’s seniors took advantage of one of the perks of being Institute seniors: golf lessons. For most of them, it was a true introduction to the sport. Tonight was the first of four lessons that will be led by golf professional Keith Robertson.
Alumni Weekend began with Ascension III, discussed below, on Friday evening. On Saturday, alumni scholars and current alumni met on the banks of the Potomac River in Georgetown for a morning of kayaking. The occasion was an excellent opportunity for the two groups to get to know each other better. With many alumni, seniors and juniors paired together in two-man boats. Afterward, while current students took advantage of rare free time, the alumni met together to learn about the Institute’s growth plans. Later in the afternoon, scholars and alumni were joined by professors, several internship supervisors and donors for a barbecue on the Georgetown campus. On Sunday morning, many of the scholars and alumni attended a worship service with Mr. Keyes at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, followed by lunch. Most alums departed Washington on Sunday afternoon.
The weekend provided an outstanding opportunity for the current scholars to talk with alumni about their current positions as graduate school students and employees. Institute alumni are now enrolled in the following law schools: Stanford , Cal-Berkeley, Georgetown, George Washington, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio State, South Carolina and Nevada. Others attend graduate school at Yale, Michigan, Chicago, NYU, Arkansas, Albany, Loyola-Chicago and the New School. Some alumni have entered the workforce and found employment at the White House, in TV news, at their alma maters, and in organizations such as the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. Two will begin prestigious public service fellowships in New York in September. One is an officer in the United States Army. Two staff the Institute for Responsible Citizenship.
For the third summer, Institute seniors organized and hosted a networking happy hour for African American interns. The attendees took advantage of the occasion to establish relationships with interns whom they may otherwise not have met. While the scholars and their guests mingled, a photo collage of various Institute events played on television monitors on all three floors of the bar.
Richard Walker, Vice President for Corporate Giving at Friedman Billings Ramsey Group, organized and hosted a briefing at the FBR headquarters in Arlington, Virginia to acquaint Institute scholars with the firm’s business interests. In addition to moderating the briefing, Walker discussed his role in directing the company’s charitable efforts, which are focused particularly in the Washington metropolitan area. In addition to supporting charities in Washington, the firm’s largest impact elsewhere is in Phoenix, Arizona, where the firm sponsors the FBR Open on the Professional Golf Association tour.
Frank Walker, no relation to Dick, is Chief Compliance Officer for FBR Investment Management, Inc. (FBRIM), the firm’s registered investment adviser. FBRIM manages a broad spectrum of investment vehicles, including hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds. Walker discussed the role of the compliance officer in protecting the firm and its clients.
Richard Coll, Associate General Counsel, discussed the characteristics that would make one successful in his role. He also discussed the many rewarding career opportunities for lawyers to work in corporate settings. He answered numerous questions from the scholars, such as the firm’s standard for retaining outside counsel.
Roderick Dunlap, Vice President of Sales, discussed his transition from an Engineering major at Georgia Tech to a sales executive for an investment bank. He told the scholars that personal characteristics and aptitude were greater determinants of success in sales or most other fields than major areas of study in college. He told the scholars about his work at FBR and described his typical day.
Robert Dean, Vice President of Risk Management, discussed the need for risk management in an investment bank or any other securities related business. His discussion also combined a description of the technical aspects of his job with career advice for the scholars.
These discussions were followed by a reception at which the scholars had the opportunity to speak more casually with these FBR executives and others.
Each summer, the junior class visits Justice Clarence Thomas at the Supreme Court for an in-depth discussion of the workings of the Court, judicial philosophy, and as many other issues as the scholars desire. The senior class meets with one of the other Justices. This summer, that other Justice was the Chief Justice of the United States, John G. Roberts, Jr. The seniors began their return visit to the Supreme Court with a private tour of the building. They sat in on a public lecture. And they concluded their visit with a private session with the Chief Justice, who made brief remarks and fielded numerous questions from the scholars. These questions regarded the culture of the Court, the Chief Justice’s administrative duties over the federal judicial system, his role in tiebreaking, and numerous other matters.
Several scholars attended the White House’s annual Black Music Month celebration, where they joined the President in honoring the contributions that African Americans have made to the country through music. The scholars were also in the company of a notable group of invitees, including Secretary Alphonso Jackson; Bob Johnson, founder of BET, and others. The list of musicians who performed included Karina Pasian, KEM Owens, and Tourie and Damien Escobar.
A collection of accomplished writers began tonight a series of workshops for the Institute’s seniors and a select group of students interning this summer at the Heritage Foundation. Tonight’s session was the first of four, which will cover such areas as press releases, issue briefs, op-ed columns, book reviews and writing for scholarly journals.
Near the end of a long week of internships and classes, the scholars visited the Verizon Center to meet the owner of the Washington Mystics of the WNBA and watch the team take on the Los Angeles Sparks. Dr. Sheila C. Johnson hosted the students in her personal suite at the arena. She engaged the scholars in a stimulating discussion about issues ranging from business ventures to personal integrity to the current offerings of Black Entertainment Television (BET), which she co-founded with her ex-husband in 1980. She also discussed service to others. The scholars were aware of the fact that she had given away millions to charity since the sale of BET to Viacom for 3 billion dollars in 2000. In addition to her own foundation, she has created the Washington Mystics Foundation. After the discussion, Johnson escorted the scholars to the courtside seats she provided for them to enjoy the game.
For the fifth straight year, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas carved out time from the closing days of the Supreme Courts’ session to meet with the Institute’s junior class. This summer’s meeting was held in the Lawyer’s Lounge, where he met with the inaugural class in 2003. As always, the Justice greeted each scholar warmly and told them about experiences in their home towns, visits to their campuses, or other things he had in common with them. Once everyone was seated, he started the discussion by telling them what a wonderful opportunity they had been afforded by being selected for the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. He reminded them that they had been selected because of their hard work, and that they would continue to have opportunities presented to them if they continue to work hard.
Thomas spent a considerable time talking about his childhood in Georgia and the individuals who sacrificed for him to have opportunities to get a good education, his early desire to return one day and practice law in Georgia, and the twists and turns in his career that led him to Washington and ultimately to the Supreme Court. He discussed his work on the Court and the judicial philosophy that guided his opinions on several high-profile cases that the scholars were interested in. Always generous with his time, the Justice answered at least one question from all of the scholars. He posed for pictures afterward and continued to chat individually with the young men for an extended period of time.
Tonight, the law firm of Foley & Lardner hosted the Institute scholars who are interested in legal careers for the first of three dinners and educational sessions at their office at the Washington Harbor. The scholars were welcomed by partner James N. Bierman, who shepherded the relationship between Foley and the Institute and took on the role of host and moderator of this first session. Bierman was a wonderful partner for the scholars to meet. He has served as managing partner, head of recruiting for the firm, and previously an admissions director at Harvard Law School.
In this first session, attorneys Norm Rich and Ric Henschel discussed trademark and patent law, which are similar but distinct practices. Next week, Irwin Raiji will discuss legal work in both the public and private sectors. Foley is the law firm for Major League Baseball; Raiji represents the Washington Nationals and has helped them with the negotiations with the District of Columbia regarding the construction of a new stadium, which is to open next season. In the third session, attorneys Sharie Brown, Paul Monsees and Steven Lambert will discuss the Patriot Act, environmental law, and arbitration/mediation. They, along with Bierman, will expose the scholars to the many areas of law.
In addition to its involvement with the scholars, Foley is a financial contributor to the Institute.
By 7:30 this morning, the Institute’s scholars were heading to the Georgetown campus buses for the first leg of their commutes to their internships. The scholars were all dressed in suits and ties and were ready to work hard. Each of them was heading to an internship that had been carefully selected to suit their interests and career objectives. These internships included some offices where scholars have interned in past summers. These include the American Legislative Exchange Council, FBR, NBC News, the United States Senate, and the Washington Legal Foundation. New internships include the Brookings Institution, Georgetown University Law Center, Merrill Lynch and TV One.
After completing the extensive applications, submitting to interviews by Institute alumni and staff, exchanging numerous email messages, having conversations with returning scholars, checking into the dormitories, and enjoying dinner and a welcoming event as a group, the scholars arrived at Orientation dressed in suits and ties and ready for the Institute to officially begin. William Keyes, founder and president of the Institute, addressed the scholars for approximately one hour about the Institute’s mission and history. He spoke most passionately about the high expectations that he and everyone else associated with the Institute have for the young men assembled at that moment. He said on several occasions that talent was an important factor in their selection, but that character was even more important. He illustrated his points with anecdotes from his own life and from experiences of past scholars.
Keyes also formally introduced the Institute staff. Two of the three staff members are Institute alumni. And he introduced the three Summer Fellows, alumni who live on campus with the scholars and work in the office with Keyes during the day. He informed the scholars that the Summer Fellows are their first and most important contact people. After the Summer Fellows addressed the scholars, Keyes invited the senior class to the front of the room to tell the juniors about their prior summer and give them words of advice. Then he asked the junior class to introduce themselves and tell why they chose to attend the Institute. He was visibly moved to hear several of the juniors say that they gravitated toward the Institute because of its focus on character. Other juniors mentioned the rare opportunity to spend an extended period of time building relationships with other high-achieving African American men.
Finally, the scholars heard from Professor William Allen, who told the juniors what they could expect from his Government class, which would begin at 7 p.m.
Following the formal session, the students walked across the Georgetown University campus to have lunch at the Faculty Club, where they were seated at two long window tables that afforded a beautiful view of the newest part of the campus. The scholars were treated to an elaborate buffet and had the opportunity to display the Institute etiquette that Keyes taught.
After lunch, the scholars spent the afternoon taking photos for their Georgetown identification cards and buying books for their classes.
From as far away as Sacramento, California and as close as Mitchellville, Maryland, scholars traveled this afternoon to the Georgetown University campus, where they will live for the next eight weeks as participants in the fifth session of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. Nine scholars returned for the second summer and were joined by 23 juniors. Members of both classes will live together in the four-bed units at the Village A residence hall.
The scholars gathered at 7 p.m. at the ESPN Zone in downtown Washington, where Institute founder and president William Keyes informally welcomed everyone to what promises to be another fantastic summer. The scholars were joined by all of the alumni who live in the Washington area. Many found it fitting that a presidential debate was being shown live on flat screen television sets on the walls of the private dining room where the scholars had dinner. When the scholars finished eating, they engaged in friendly competition on the three floors of games throughout the facility.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ADAM L. BARR
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007
(202) 659-2831
THE INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2007-2008
WASHINGTON- The Institute for Responsible Citizenship today announced the names of 24 college sophomores and juniors who will participate in its intensive leadership program in Washington, DC. These gentlemen represent the best of hundreds of exceptional applications received this year from colleges around the country.
The Institute for Responsible Citizenship has admitted twelve exceptional minority male students each year for its two-summer program at Georgetown University since 2003. This year, the number of students has been increased to twenty-four so that more young leaders can be positively impacted by the program. This expansion will allow the Institute to inspire and train more bright young men to be the principled leaders of tomorrow.
“Each year, our students arrive in Washington, DC for intensive internships, rigorous courses at Georgetown University, and leadership training. The classes give them the fundamental constitutional and economic principles they will need to be great leaders,” said Institute founder William Keyes. Students live on campus in university housing provided by the Institute during the program. When not at work or in class, students are treated to intimate meetings with high-level government officials, which in past years have included Supreme Court Justices, the Secretary of State, U.S. Senators, U.S. Congressmen, and business leaders.
This year’s cohort of students, with a mean GPA of 3.6, is the largest and most diverse to date. The young men hail from nearly every region of the country, including the Deep South, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast. They come from Ivy League schools, historically black colleges, large public universities, and small liberal arts colleges. Among the twenty-four students admitted are two Eagle Scouts, a renowned pianist, and the University of Maryland’s Student Regent.
Their biographies provide further information about each of the newly accepted gentlemen that will take part in the Institute this summer.
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During a luncheon celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, the members of the senior class were congratulated for their accomplishments over the past two summers. The young men have taken demanding courses, worked at full-time internships, and attended numerous meetings, tours, workshops and other events. They were offered the opportunity to participate in the Institute after being selected from an impressive pool of applicants from colleges and universities all over the United States.
The ceremony was attended by parents, Professors Bill Allen and Tom Rustici, donors and internship supervisors. This year’s occasion was also highlighted by musical presentations by Institute students and alumni Steven Ward (’04), Ashley Simms (’06) and John Harper (’07).
Each student was given a diploma and a lapel pin.
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars recognizes outstanding academic achievement among students in their freshman and sophomore years of college. The organization’s mission statement indicates that it is committed to “Honoring and inspiring academic excellence and engaged citizenship for a lifetime,” making the goals of NSCS the same as those of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship. Each year, NSCS assists our recruiting efforts by promoting the Institute to their eligible members. Institute scholars who attend universities where no NSCS chapters exist serve as catalysts for starting chapters. Today’s ceremony was held at the offices of the Washington law firm, Epstein Becker & Green.
This afternoon, following their Economics session, the junior class was treated to a private tour of the West Wing of the White House. They entered the White House by walking by the Situation Room, where so many important decisions have been made in country’s history. They visited the Cabinet Room, the Roosevelt Room, and the Oval Office. In the Press Briefing Room, the guys took advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take pictures in front of that famous blue sign that lets the world know that the speaker is at The White House.
The tour was led by White House staffers Lucas Boyce (Public Liaison) and Parris Dennard (Political Affairs).
Noted Civil Rights activist Vernon Jordan spoke to the scholars about his childhood and education in the largely segregated city of Atlanta, Georgia. He discussed his rise from his college job as chauffer to an Atlanta banker to one of America’s most powerful non-elected leaders. Much of the material that Jordan discussed is written in his autobiography, Vernon Can Read.
Mr. Jordan hosted the students at the Washington law firm, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he serves as Senior Counsel. Prior to joining Akin Gump in 1982, Mr. Jordan served most notably as president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League and executive director of the United Negro College Fund.
His presidential appointments include the President's Advisory Committee for the Points of Light Initiative Foundation, the Secretary of State's Advisory Committee on South Africa, the Advisory Council on Social Security, and the National Advisory Committee on Selective Service. Mr. Jordan served as the chairman of the Clinton Presidential Transition Team in 1992.
He may serve on more corporate boards than any other African American. These currently include America Online Latin America, American Express, Asbury Automotive Group, Dow Jones & Company, J.C. Penney Company, Revlon Group, Sara Lee Corporation, Shinsei Bank, and Xerox Corporation. He serves on the international advisory boards of DaimlerChrysler and Barrick Gold. And he is a trustee of Howard University and the LBJ Foundation.
This afternoon, both classes of scholars visited to Capitol to meet with the Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert. Unfortunately, Speaker Hastert became ill and was unable to attend the session. In his absence, Congressman Eric Cantor met with the students and fielded their questions for approximately 45 minutes. As Chief Deputy Majority Whip, Mr. Cantor is one of the highest ranking members of the House leadership.
The senior class met with General Colin Powell in his office in Alexandria, VA.
General Powell’s laid back demeanor and candor made the students feel at ease during their hour-long discussion of his life, politics, and the Iraq War.
He urged the students to “perform” in all that they do, saying, “if you do the best you can, you’ll develop a reputation, and get something even better.” General Powell credits his own success with his ability to perform and deliver with each job he’s been given.
General Powell also emphasized the need for restoration of family and recommitment to excellence. He told the scholars, “We have a lot of youngsters who will never get to where you are because they get lost along the way.” While K-12 schools need great improvement, the problems occur long before the children get to kindergarten, he said.
General Powell also mentioned that no matter where he has gone and what other political systems he has encountered, he maintains that our system of democratic governance and free market economy is better. While our country has its blemishes, he said the founding fathers knew the country would need to grow and change, quoting our 3rd President Thomas Jefferson saying, “You can’t expect the clothes of the boy to fit the man,” but General Powell said “they left a design for the clothes, our Constitution.”
General Powell also told the students that “a lot of things will go wrong….shake off disappointment and failure, don’t allow it to diminish you.” Additionally, he said, “Don’t let what people might think of you affect you…it’s their problem, not yours.”
General Powell served as the 65th US Secretary of State, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and National Security Advisor. Over the course of his 35 year career in the Army, General Powell earned numerous awards including the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Service Medal. General Powell also served as chairman for America’s Promise, chairman for the Eisenhower Fellowship Program, and as an advisory Board Member of the Children’s Health Fund.
General Powell’s strong values and commitment to excellence have given him the opportunity to courageously serve his country and in turn inspire the next generation of great leaders.
For the second straight summer the Institute seniors have improved their abilities as golfers with the help of local professional Keith Robertson. Last Sunday, the seniors completed their first lesson in which they worked on both their half and whole swings. In future Sunday evening lessons, the seniors will look to perfect their driving and putting skills. Like last summer, they will conclude their on-course lessons with a full round at the South Germantown Golf Park in Germantown, Maryland.
Alphonso Jackson (pictured at right), US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, met with the students in a private briefing in his office.
Secretary Jackson attributed three things to his success: education, being at the right place at the right time, and having mentors. He also told the students to live in the now, not the past or the future, because that is all that is promised.
Secretary Jackson also advised the students to remain steadfast in their career goals despite difficult circumstances. He quoted his father as saying, “A setback is a setup for a comeback.” He also illustrated how adversity can work to one’s advantage by saying, “When everything seems difficult, that’s when you should rise to the occasion and do your best.”
Additionally, he advised the students to strive for greatness in all that they do. He referred to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous quote, “If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera. Sweep streets like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will have to pause and say: Here lived a great street sweeper who swept his job well."
He also encouraged the students to work hard, make money, and help the people around them, saying “poor is a state of mind, not a condition.” Overall, Secretary Jackson proved to be an exemplary role model, who offered the students great advice concerning pursuit of their career aspirations and fulfillment in life.
The students visited the headquarters of the World Bank. Paatii Ofosu-Amaah (pictured at right), Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the Bank and a member of the Institute's Board of Directors, arranged a tour of the bank and a private meeting with Kevin Kellems, Director of External Affairs and Senior Advisor to President Paul Wolfowitz, and other World Bank experts.
The World Bank, first established in 1944, is a group of five international organizations that are a vital source of technical and financial assistance to developing countries around the world. Its mission is to eliminate poverty on a global scale and improve living standards in matters such as agriculture, health care, environmental protection, governance, infrastructure, and education. Many countries have borrowed money from the World Bank, including some of today’s leading industrial countries such as Japan following World War II for postwar reconstruction.
James Nortey asked about how the Bank deals with pressure from critics who say the Bank is merely benefiting “capitalistic companies”, to which Kellems responded that it requires a great deal of “listening and questioning your assumptions.” Kellems stated the Bank is “very well known, but not understood.” It is a “rich and diverse organization...the challenge is to channel that diversity to a concrete goal.” He said the Bank’s main purpose is to help developing countries “help themselves.”
Kellems advised the students to prepare themselves “broadly”, not “obsessing” over one goal. “Be willing to take risks accordingly…don’t narrow things down prematurely,” said Kellems. He also said, “It’s good to have goals, but retain some flexibility and creativity.”
Black interns, young professionals, and graduate students from around the DC area convened at Lima, a popular restaurant in downtown Washington for the second annual Ascension. (Institute scholar Quinton Harper pictured at right with event attendee Erin Meadors)
Running from 6-9 PM, the event proved to be a huge success with over 150 people in attendance. Colleges and universities from all over the country were represented.
Students engaged in conversation concerning everything from their career aspirations to politics. It was a great chance for students to make contacts and socialize with other interns in the area. One person commented to the Institute scholars, “You all did a great job of planning the event. It was well attended and full of successful young professionals and goal-oriented interns.”
Ascension also showcased the growth of the Institute and its dynamic presence in the DC area. It directly coincided with the Institute’s mission of forging strong, black individuals who will make significant contributions to society by providing them with necessary tools such as networks and contacts. As a result of the success of the past two summers, Ascension will now be an annual event that each class at the Institute can plan and benefit from.
The students visited the White House to witness the official welcoming ceremony for the Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi.
The ceremony included a 19-gun salute, a military color guard, an Air Force brass band, and drum corps dressed in Revolutionary era uniform. (Institute scholars Fred Jones and Justin Wilson pictured at right on the South Lawn)
President Bush remarked that the United States and Japan have to remain united in their hard stance toward North Korea’s nuclear weapons’ testing plans. The President stated that it would be “unacceptable” for North Korea to launch a long-range missile for testing.
President Bush also joked of their impending visit to Graceland saying, “officially he is here to meet with the president, but I know the highlight of his visit will be paying his respects to the King."
Koizumi, one of Bush’s closest friends on the world stage, will be stepping down from office in September.
After the closing bell on Wall Street,