Ernestine Shepherd

Determine, Dedicated and Disciplined to be Fit

From one champion to another -- these are the words by which Ernestine Shepherd lives her life.

A champion herself, Shepherd has shocked the world with her resilience and determination to become a bodybuilder. She is known as the world’s oldest female bodybuilder. At age 72, Shepherd has earned a placed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Jackie Jeter

Breaking New Ground for Women in Transportation

She heads a union that serves thousands of commuters daily in the Washington, D.C. Metro area. As President and Business Agent of Local 689 Transit Union, Jeter has had an amazing career. When she was elected in 2006, she became the first African American woman to head the local since its founding almost 100 years ago. She has helped transform the system into one of the best public transportation systems in the country. Her dedication and service to over 10,000 members is impeccable.

With over 30 years of experience, Jeter runs one of the most challenging organizations in Washington, D.C. She is setting a new tone for leadership in union management. Her tenacity, commitment and dedication in preserving the rights of workers have won her the role of president for a second consecutive term.

Willie Jollie

An Attitude of Excellence

Named one of the Outstanding Five Speakers in the World, Willie has shared the spotlight with many extraordinary motivational speakers. He was inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame by the National Speakers Association, joining other luminaries such as Ronald Reagan, Zig Ziglar and Les Brown. In 2003, McDonald Corporation, named him “A Black History Maker of Today”.

These accolades did not come easy to Willie. He set himself up for success. As a matter of fact he wrote the book on it – “A Setback Is A Setup For A Comeback,” a best-seller translated into eight languages. He also authored “It Only Takes a Minute to Change Your Life.”

Ivan Rusilko - Mr. U.S.A.

Helping Others Achieve Their Dreams

Underneath that gorgeous, rugged look, is a smart young man with talent, skills, compassion, and lot’s of energy and drive. Oh, and there’s a lot of muscle too. He’s Ivan Rusilko, Mr. U.S.A 2008. Let’s face it, in the eyes of most young ladies today, he’s a “hunk”. Last, but certainly not least, he loves helping people. What more can you ask for in a gentleman?

He’s an intelligent young man who is grounded, level-headed and knows what he wants. Ivan Rusilko is living his passion and setting a standard for living life to it fullest.

Vince and Barbara Dooley

Tackling Life with Grace On and Off the Field

If you are a fan of college football, then you probably are also a fan of Vince Dooley. He set amazing records coaching college football and is known as a sports hero. Vince has been a member of the college Football Hall of Fame since 1994. For 25 years, he directed the University of Georgia Bulldogs football team with a coaching style unparalleled to most.

Not only did he have the strength and passion to lead young men to victory on the football field, but his caring spirit touched the lives of people off the field, including his team. Vince is admired by many and is viewed as a legend in and outside of the college football arena.

Emanuel Yarbrough

Largest Living Athlete and a Kind Heart to Match

Emanuel Yarbrough (also known as Tiny) holds the World Guinness Record as the world’s largest living athlete. At 6 feet, 8 inches and 625 pounds, Emanuel has a long list of accomplishments, with more to come in the future.

A celebrity in his own right, for over 20 years, Emanuel has been involved in athletics, including football, wrestling, judo, mixed martial arts and Sumo wrestling. He continues to travel the world promoting Sumo wrestling through Sumo clinics. A statue in the Czech Republic has been dedicated to Emanuel for his accomplishments in promoting the sport and helping others realize their potential to succeed. Traveling to foreign countries has given him a great appreciation for other cultures. His accomplishments have earned him recognition on major talk shows in the United States and in national and international magazines.

Robert Crippen
Excellence in Flight

John Basedow - 360 Degree Life Change

It is amazing how life can present opportunities you never thought were possible, when you change your mindset and begin to see yourself as a winner.

This is exactly how John Basedow became known as one of America’s biggest fitness gurus with his Fitness Made Simple, Unlock Your Potential video he made on a shoestring budget.  He changed his way of thinking and believed in his ability to succeed despite the challenges he faced. 

Marc Davis - A Champion Racer Shares His Passion with Other Youth

Marc Davis lives life in the fast lane – literally. He has become a legend in his own right as a race car driver. At the age of 18, Davis has seen the checkered flag raised in his honor on several race tracks.

His love of racing began at the age of six. Davis is one of the most successful drivers who joined the Joe Gibbs Racing Team via the diversity program founded by Gibbs and the late Reggie White, an initiative that traces its roots back to May 2003. Formed by the former Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs and the late Reggie White (Pro Football Hall of Famer), the program to enables minorities who have the passion and talent for motor sports to live their dreams.

Davis, a native of Silver Spring, Maryland, has certainly blazed a trail of success. In 2004 he became only the second African-American driver to win at the Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina. During an incredible rookie season, he racked up six victories, 17 top-fives and 20 top-tens.

Geir Ness - The Sweet Smell of Success
Filled with the dream of becoming a famous actor, Geir set his sights on Hollywood where he would study acting. Upon arriving, his life changed in a way he never thought possible. While supporting himself as a student actor, an amazing opportunity was presented to him and he took on the challenge. Today he runs a multi-million dollar perfume company. A few years ago his line of products were included in the Grammy Awards gift bag.

Dante Wesley - A Model Athlete and Family Man

In the quiet town of Pine Bluff, Arkansas is where Dante’ Wesley grew up. Raised in a single family home, he and his brother had a strong woman for a mother who taught them how to become self-sufficient and to always live their lives from positive perspective.

Dante’ is a professional football athlete playing for the Chicago Bears. He graduated with the highest of honors from Arkansas Pine Bluff College. He believes that education is very important and his message to youth who dream of playing professional football is, “Football is not forever, you are going to always have to have a strong education behind you because that’s what people are looking for. They don’t care what kind of athlete you are but they want to know what you can do for their business.

When it comes to achieving goals, college life has taught him some very important lessons which he shares with all of us and applies to his life. “Never give up on what you want to do. Going through school and college here in Arkansas has really taught me to work hard and do my best”, says Wesley.

Wesley is an active supporter of his community and he is dedicated to giving back to other communities as well. He often speaks to youth about reaching their goals and maintaining a good academic standing.

Fran Capo - Dare to Live Life to Its Fullest

From setting world records as the fastest female talker to climbing Kilimanjaro, to doing a book signing at the bottom of the ocean at the wreckage of the Titanic, Fran Capo is one of a kind when it comes to making dreams come true. When she sets her sights on a goal she accomplishes it.

Tenacity, thinking outside the box, passion and just plain doing it, are the ingredients to her success. “With anything in life, you have to have the passion,” Capo says. She states, “My mother taught me that nothing is impossible and my father taught me to always look at the humor in life.” Her thinking is “that if someone else can do it, I can do it.”

Her advice is to “fear nothing, but if you do, do it anyway. Live everyday as it it’s your last and one day you’ll be right.”

From football records to setting records as a real estate agent, Emery Moorehead has carried his passion for excellence on the football field into his post-game life. He is using his winning attitude to achieve success today as a realtor.

It may have been 20 years ago that Emery Moorehead last set foot on the field as a Chicago Bears player to hear the cheering and screaming of football fans, but his winning style and passion for success has carried him throughout his post-football career.  Preparation, Emery says is the biggest key element to success. “You get opportunities in life and you have to be prepared for them. You can never over-prepare.”