Steve Harvey Welcomes America’s Principal To Join Him During Historic Mentoring Weekend

June 7, 2009 - PRLog -- Father’s Day weekend 2009 will mark an exciting time for 100 young black men who will be the guests of Steve Harvey, nationally syndicated radio host and best-selling author, at his ranch in Dallas, Texas.  These young men, all from homes headed by single mothers, were selected to participate in an unprecedented weekend of mentoring from well-known celebrities, athletes, ministers and business professionals. Joining Steve Harvey will be Salome Thomas-EL, world-renowned principal, mentor, and author, as well as Bishop T.D. Jakes, gospel recording artist Kirk Franklin, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, and a host of others.  

Salome Thomas-EL, who was raised in a Philadelphia public housing project, has been a teacher and principal in some of Philadelphia’s toughest neighborhoods for more than two decades. A humble yet dedicated educator, he revived the chess team of an inner-city middle school and led them to a national championship. www.ichoosetostay.com. From the beginning, he has worked using a single principle; his students would never know they couldn’t be successful.  He would inspire them to believe they could win despite their circumstances.  Many of Salome’s inner city students have gone on to graduate from some of the nations best colleges, universities and law schools.

Mr. Thomas-EL, “The Principal”, will be providing life lessons on the importance of a college education to these young men who will come from all areas of the United States.  He will be emphasizing what it takes to get in to college, as well as revealing the secret to graduating from institutions of higher learning. Too many young black males give up on high school or college because they never develop a plan on how to finish.  Principal EL teaches his students that, “a vision without a plan is a hallucination.”  His dream is to have every young black male, “enter Penn State instead of the ‘State Pen’.”

Recognized as an authority in the area of education and parenting, Principal EL has garnered the attention of Governors, Ed Rendell and Arnold Schwarzenegger who stated, “Salome Thomas-EL has touched many people and will affect many more in the generations to come.” Award-winning actor Will Smith declared, “Thomas-EL was called to serve, and has inspired others to pick up the torch of service.”
   
Salome Thomas-EL, author of the best-selling books, "I Choose To Stay" and "The Immortality of Influence", (Kensington Publishing), was voted Philadelphia Magazine’s “Best Philadelphian.” The Walt Disney Company optioned the movie rights to "I Choose To Stay".

Please read more about Salome Thomas-EL and his students at www.ichoosetostay.com

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Salome Thomas-EL was born and raised in the inner city of Philadelphia and has been a teacher in the Philadelphia School District since 1987. He received national acclaim as a teacher and chess coach at Vaux Middle School, where his students have won world recognition as Eight-Time National Chess Champions.

Salome Thomas-EL, a graduate of East Stroudsburg University, has studied in Cambridge and London England. He has received the Marcus Foster Award as the outstanding School Administrator in Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania’s distinguished, Martin Luther King Award. Philadelphia Magazine honored Salome as the “Best Philadelphian". Mr. Thomas-EL frequently appears on C-SPAN, CNN and NPR Radio.

Salome Thomas-EL is the author of the best-selling book, “I Choose to Stay”. His second book, “The Immortality of Influence” (foreword by award-winning actor Will Smith), stresses the importance of leadership, parenting, mentoring and service to others.