When businessman Dennis Dowdell, Jr. was hired in 1991 as corporate vice president of Henry Ford Health System, he joined just a handful of high ranking African American executives in the U.S. Less than one percent of senior managers in Fortune 1,500 companies are black, Asian or Hispanic. To bridge this gap, Dennis is helping others pave their road to success by mentoring innercity teens, poets with day jobs and other corporate newcomers. On his inspiring list of "mentees" are Wayne Washington, a young business consultant and hopeful hip hop music promoter, and Darren Reed, a teenager struggling with math. With Dennis' guidance, Wayne's music promotion dreams are taking off; and after making a pact to study more, Darren's grades are improving. Dennis also motivates other black professionals across Detroit to get involved in the community through the 100 Black Men of Detroit chapter.

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