CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Marshall Craft, 18, loves technology. He's excelled in specialized classes at Phillip O'Berry Academy with a 5.2 grade point average. Marshall is graduating as valedictorian.
Principal Curtis Carroll said he's a standout in every way.
"He's always scored in 99 percentile in all of his tests, but his character -- his character and ability to get along with other people, he is in 100th percentile," Carroll said.
Marshall points to his parents for helping to develop that character and to Charlotte's Young Black Male Leadership Alliance.
The group pairs successful black men as mentors with African-American teens.
This week, YBM also helped members by awarding college scholarships in a unique ceremony modeled after "national signing day" for athletes.
"You don't get recognized for academics as much as you do in athletics, so it felt good to have people who appreciated it and have other people who are doing the same thing," Marshall said.
"We wanted to bring together the students, family and community and have opportunity to give them public recognition," said John Martin, YBM founder.
Martin is also grooming these teens to talk to younger children and inspire them to pursue higher education.
As Marshall heads to college at MIT, he plans to do just that.
The Young Black Male Leadership Alliance awarded three scholarships and gave 11 graduates new business suits.
[ Click here for more information on the Young Black Male Leadership Alliance. ]