During the course of my career I have met and interviewed an untold numer of high profile people; politicians, authors, actors and athletes including Michelle and Barack Obama, E. Lynn Harris, Ruby Dee and Ossie davis, Venus and Serena Williams and Muhammad Ali.

Today I met Roy Jones - not the well known fighter, but a different kind of champion. The public rarely "sees" this Roy Jones and when they do, they have no iea they're looking at, not a contender, but a winner. If there was such a thing as a heavyweight belt, or golden gloves for being a McDonald's manager, this Roy Jones would easily win both.

In his job, there are no multi-million dollar pay days, no adoring fans, but there should be. Roy Jones is the kind of man who changes minds, hearts and lives. He does it, on the regular, every day.

For the past 2 months he's managed a Carol City McDonalds: 46th Avenue and 183rd Street. Jones says when he first started the job "there was a letter from a customer saying I don't need to watch TV. I can come here and be entertained. I can hear what the employees did last night, what they're going to do today and what they'll do when they get paid, all while I'm trying to place my order". Jones says he was glad to get the letter. It gave him motivatation and a place to start.

While I was there, returning customres commented out loud on the change in the level of service. Jones manages a staff of more than 75 at this restaurant and helps with 4 other locations. Helping is what he does and it seems to come naturally. Jones says when he started the Carol City McDonalds had a bad reputation and was referred to as the "Black Mac" because of the poor customer service and the general attitude of the employees. Judging by today's staff, one would never know it.

Jones is a gregarious, friendly, energetic, caring guy with a big heart and an easy smile. His team is obviously happy to be working with and for him. He says it wasn't always like this.

"When I first came we made some changes. Still we retained quite a few people. I tell them, you may live in the ghetto, but the ghetto doesn't have to be in you. There were guys with thie rpants hanging down, young women with nails way too long and some of them had attitudes." Jones realized for some, those attitudes were the result of a lack of parental guidance and in some cases no one in their lives who really seemed to care. Roy Jones cares, "when their birthdays come, we have a little celebration in the back for each one of them. We have a cake. We sing happy birthday and they appreciate it".

I wish there was more appreication for the Roy Jones of the world, men like him who work hard, every single day, get no attention, no accolades and don't expect it. I think he's a real role model. He's somebody young people can see and talk with every day. Many of the people who're considered role models; athletes and actors are often, not only inapropriate role models, but they're not accessible. Night and day, Mr. Jones is on the job, guiding his staff to their individual and team best.

Lord knows, this Roy Jones deserves countless fans and big pay checks!