South Intensive Transition Students Meet and Greet Celebrity Russell Simmons

Students from South Intensive Transition joined more than 300 students, parents, community leaders and members of the public who recently welcomed notable entrepreneur Russell Simmons to Palm Beach County.                                                                       

Principal Voncia Haywood worked with Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)/Youth Services Graduation/Career Coach Alma Horne and Pyramids Bookstore owner Akbar Watson to facilitate access for the students to meet the entrepreneur, philanthropist, musician, strict vegan and yoga enthusiast. USA today recently named Mr. Simmons one of the Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years, calling him a “hip-hop pioneer” for his groundbreaking vision that has influenced music, fashion, finance, television and film.

He engaged the students in topics and subtopics from two books: Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success - which combines effective business practices with a spiritual foundation to be the best you can be, and Super Rich: Inside and Out- which emphasizes the power of inner strength and reflection as a means of achieving human aspirations.   Dr. Haywood said you could hear a pin drop when the native New Yorker shared tales of his social activism– to include the plight of animals and the state of the environment, as well as his long- time support of equal rights for all.

Even after two and-a- half hours the students weren’t ready for the program to end. Some of the South Intensive Transition students were among those who asked the media and fashion mogul questions. Mr. Simmons made an effort to answer all of the questions and then took time to take photos and sign his books.

For more details,  contact Dr. Haywood at 561-644-2791 or email Voncia.haywoon@palmbeachschools.org.