She led yearly campaigns to encourage black youngsters to get education and training.

"It wasn't hard then for a black youngster to dream of great things."

For them, a black youngster glancing at a handbag was enough.

"We have to understand there are no more impossible dreams for black youngsters," he said.

So life went on and I adapted to my new country, to living as a black youngster in a white-dominated society.

Several educators said he was known for his ability to motivate black youngsters.

And, they wanted black youngsters to have mentors to further encourage them.

The latter, it will be remembered, was about poor black youngsters taken into a wealthy home.

But when black youngsters finish school or drop out, drug use shoots up.