Pennants line the walls of the Emily K Center, reminding the students of their goals to attend college.Lisa Moscoso of Durham Magazine and I had the great pleasure of visiting the Emily K Center. For those of you who don't know about the center, it was created to help low-income kids set goals and then achieve them.

Founded by Coach Mike Krzyzewski and led by CEO & President Marleah Rogers, this is the most impressive effort I've seen to help low-income kids overcome their life situation.

While I toured, I was so impressed by the number of teachers and tutors helping a lot of very engaged kids. The kids and the teachers were clearly enjoying learning and teaching (even though it is summer!). I was also struck by what a diligent job the center is doing to measure the results of their efforts and study other best-in-class examples. And, I must admit that I was delighted to see that the center's project this summer is the creation of a magazine!

The center began in 2006, and has been steadily growing. Their model is aimed at accelerating the achievement of students from kindergarten through college. I simply can't say enough about what I saw happening there. I can see this model expanding not only in Durham, but in North Carolina and beyond.

While nothing is perfect, it is working well, and is continually being measured and fine-tuned. If you are interested in getting involved in something that is making a difference, you definitely need to go and check this out. And, if you get a chance to meet Marleah, you must. She is one amazing woman.

I know first hand what a difference a good program can make for low-income kids. Thirty-five years ago in a program in a high school in Connecticut, I was introduced to my community mentor. My mentor gave me my first real job in her magazine publishing company. And yes, I've been publishing magazines every since.

I can't imagine life without the dream that that program gave me. So I understood immediately when Marleah  talked about "Dream-Do-Achieve", the expectation of success.

I also found it pretty inspiring to peer into the gym (left) at the Emily K Center and see an actual floor from a Final Four. That definitely creates some high expectations!