photo by steed media service

Maceo Brown has already achieved success as the president and CEO of System 5 Electronics, a top-notch security company. But Brown believes he is at his best when he is giving to others. As head of Maceo’s Kids Foundation, he encourages students to pursue entrepreneurial careers. The foundation’s inaugural fundraising event — a golf tournament — will be held in Villa Rica, Ga., on May 12.

“Basically what I’ve put together are CEOs from all different companies that are coming out to play golf [and] support us in this cause,” says Brown of participating corporations like Jaguar, McDonald’s and Delta Airlines. “It gives us a chance to network, and everybody understands what the real cause is, and that’s helping these kids that we’re leaving behind.” Students will have the chance to get on board as the foundation seeks to connect them to business professionals, provide service industry training and develop an entrepreneurial-based television program. Brown believes hands-on training courses for carpentry, plumbing and electrical work should remain in school curriculums.

“We’re really taking away the key jobs that [allow us] to recycle what I like to call the ‘black dollar’ within our community,” stresses Brown, who is currently targeting Therrell High School in Atlanta. “[It’s] so important that we understand if we work among each other and do business with one another, then we’re able to cure our unemployment in the African American community.” Through his efforts, the dynamic youth advocate hopes young people will realize that trade fields can be as financially rewarding as the medical or law professions.

“These are jobs that are vital to our community, and we’ve got to recognize that. We’ve got to teach our youth these jobs so [that] they can be the new CEOs of tomorrow.” -marissa mitchell

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