The HOLT Foundation

Mansfield native Marco Holt says participating in one of Oprah Winfrey's final shows was awe-inspiring. Marco is one of the 300 Oprah scholars who walked the stage, holding a lit candle, saying "thank you" to Winfrey for what she did many years ago for the graduates.

Marco received an Oprah Scholarship, which according to him, helped him complete his education at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

Morehouse College is the only all-male historically black institution of higher education in the United States.

Marco says the experience to be on the show was something he'll never forget.

After being introduced by Actor/Director Tyler Perry, the men walked on stage to Winfrey's suprise, while Tony Award Winning Actress Kristen Chenoweth sang the song "For Good" from the musical Wicked in honor of Oprah's scholarship at Morehouse College. Marco says the opportunity to "thank" her, meant the world to him.

Marco has a message for young men, specifically young African-American men, he says, your destiny is your fate. Believe in yourself regardless of what obstacles stand in your way, because if you have God, you have everything.

Marco is now busy starting a new non-profit organization called HOLT, Helping Other Leaders Transition. He says he wants to provide what young kids need in terms of exposure, grooming and education, to help them live out their dreams.

He says he wants to give back, and be the Oprah Scholar he is expected to be.

For more information about the HOLT Organization, email Maco at [email protected].