Top apprentice is Robeson winner

When 10 men formed the group Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts in 1989 to combat local crime and violence, they huddled together to determine what type of young person they wanted to mold. They thought about historical figures that embodied the characteristics their program would focus on: having high goals and concern for the community, and excelling at a high level.

In the end, they chose someone they believed the students could connect to: the actor-singer-athlete-scholar Paul Robeson.

''He was truly a Renaissance man, and we wanted to impart upon our young men the importance of a balance and being well-balanced," said President Frederich Johnson II. ''We'd often say he was the Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan, and Jesse Jackson of his time, all rolled into one. We set a role model who achieved in every aspect of his life that he chose to pursue."

Robeson's name was tagged to the group's flagship program working with youngsters on Saturdays in the John D. O'Bryant African-American Institute at Northeastern University. One of the programs brought out local role models to speak with students, including an MIT graduate named Randal Pinkett, who happened to go on to form his own multimillion-dollar consulting firm and win the coveted top job on Donald Trump's TV show ''The Apprentice" last year. So perhaps it's fitting that Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts is now recognizing Pinkett's familiar qualities and work ethic with an honor with a familiar name: the Paul Robeson Leadership Award.

''One of the phrases that is kind of one of my principles in life is 'To whom much is given, much is expected,' and I feel Paul Robeson is a shining example of what that means," said Pinkett, who will become the first recipient of the award Saturday at the group's 17th annual Unity Breakfast. ''I guess in some respects I look to him as a role model, for the many talents he was blessed with inspire me to believe I can be successful."

Pinkett's resume shows a broad range of experience and talent, similar to the namesake of the award. Besides launching the Newark-based BCT Partners LLC in 2001 and doing two tours of duty at MIT to earn a heap of graduate degrees, as well as studying at the University of Oxford and Rutgers University and earning athletic accolades, Pinkett has also authored several works and was named a Rhodes Scholar. Last year, he was inducted into the Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance Hall of Fame.

Being involved in the community ''is part of the whirlwind, making sure I'm spending time giving back," he said. ''I make a deliberate attempt to manage my schedule in a way that reflects my values."

When he first met Pinkett during his days at MIT in the late 1990s, Johnson knew he was special, but not because of his impressive list of accomplishments. The fact that he devoted his Saturdays to helping kids was the real harbinger for the next phase of his community involvement, Johnson said.

''I don't remember meeting someone that came off larger than life, I just remember this was a very nice, humble person that you could feel very positive, positive energy coming from," he said.

The breakfast will serve as an opportunity for young people to see a modern leader and to perhaps begin a path toward becoming one, Johnson said.

''Look at Dr. Pinkett. Through his educational pursuits and involvement in developing businesses, and his passion for family and community, he has excelled in all those things," he said. ''Just like Paul Robeson."

The 17th annual Unity Breakfast of the Concerned Black Men of Massachusetts will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Cambridge Marriott, Kendall Square. For information, call 617-427-2243 or visit www.cbmm.net/breakfast.