The Miami Dolphins hosted the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Police and Youth Conference Tuesday at Hard Rock Stadium, bringing together 660 students from 15 Miami-Dade County Public Schools and 150 law enforcement officers from agencies across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Students and officers took part in role-playing exercises based on real-life encounters. An Amazon-sponsored panel presentation and question-and-answer session followed the exercises.
Police chiefs and law enforcement officers from participating agencies led small-group breakout sessions during the conference. Students asked questions, shared perspectives and built relationships with the officers. The event centered on dialogue between students and law enforcement.
“It’s all about how we come together to have these dialogues to make the community better,” said Kim Miller, Miami Dolphins vice president of community affairs. “Together we can do great things in the community.”
Dolphins players join conference discussions
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II participated in a panel discussion and answered questions from students. He then joined offensive tackle Chukwuebuka Godrick in breakout sessions alongside local law enforcement. The players took questions from students during those sessions.
Conference aligns with Football UNITES
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson founded the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project in 1993. The project was created to help break down barriers between students and the people who serve their communities. Organizers hope the conversations continue beyond the morning at Hard Rock Stadium.
The conference aligns with the purpose of Football UNITES, a Miami Dolphins program that works with community partners and allies to improve relationships and foster understanding across South Florida. The club said it will continue supporting initiatives such as 5000 Role Models that bring the community together.
FSB Take
The conference used role-playing exercises, a panel and small-group sessions to create direct interaction among students, law enforcement officers and Dolphins representatives. Its scale included 660 students and 150 officers from across two South Florida counties. The participation of Gordon and Godrick connected the Dolphins directly to the conference discussions and breakout sessions.
Source: Original report