On Friday, September 28, The HistoryMakers will bring African American leaders into New Orleans area schools for the Third Annual Back to School With The HistoryMakers program to encourage commitment and excellence in education.

Author Freddi Williams Evans, singer Irma Thomas and musician John “Deacon” Moore will join hundreds of African American HistoryMakers nationwide to support the program and present a positive message among students and a vision of what education can do for them.

The HistoryMakers will share their personal experiences and struggles of their road to success while motivating students to commit and participate in their education.

Julieanna Richardson, HistoryMakers founder and executive director, is raising awareness of accomplished African Americans in local communities and creating an outlet for students to see firsthand the different avenues of what a role model can look like.

Last year the organization —  the largest oral video archive of African American leaders and unsung heroes — sent 458 HistoryMakers into 286 schools, 36 states and 112 cities, and involved figures including rapper Common, President Obama’s advisor Valerie Jarrett and actress Marla Gibbs. Since the program’s start, many past participants have adopted schools as a continuation of the HistoryMakers’ aim.

Organizers of this year’s initiative anticipate sending nearly 500 prominent African American dignitaries to more than 250 schools across the country.

For more information visit the website at thehistorymakers.com, or check out the video below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qk6aQqarbg8[/youtube]