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An interview with Colin Powell

In a programme first broadcast in 2018, the former US Secretary of State visits students at a school that bears his name.

Outside his stellar military and political career, education for the disadvantaged has been Powell's life's mission. His activities in this area focus principally on founding the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at City College New York. Here nearly 3000 students, most of them first generation scholars, the sons and daughters of immigrants, enjoy a university education predicated on not just academic achievement but experience in the working world – Wall Street, Washington, corporate life and not-for-profits. Powell uses all his influence to network these young people and the school is adamant that it will educate students regardless of the ‘documented’ or ‘undocumented’ status.

In this programme, Powell tells his own story: a child of poor immigrants – who himself graduated from City College in the 1950s, and who rose to the very highest levels of the US military and the government. We meet many of the students of the Colin Powell School and hear their stories; many have faced hardship, family tragedy and discrimination. For them the Colin Powell School has opened doors and offered hope for a brighter future.

Image: Colin Powell, Credit: Getty Images

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Mon 18 Oct 2021 21:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Wed 25 Apr 2018 02:06GMT
  • Wed 25 Apr 2018 03:06GMT
  • Wed 25 Apr 2018 06:06GMT
  • Wed 25 Apr 2018 07:06GMT
  • Wed 25 Apr 2018 14:06GMT
  • Wed 25 Apr 2018 19:06GMT
  • Mon 18 Oct 2021 21:06GMT