Teen T-Shirt Entrepreneur Meets Obama

Assignment America: Steve Hartman Profiles a Young Entrepreneur who Won $10,000 and Met President Obama

(CBS)  He got to the White House by spreading positive messages of hope and empowerment. He's the future of America; He's the promise of a new generation; He's ... the president of the Phree Country clothing company, 17-year-old entrepreneur Kalief Rollins.

Kalief met that other president Monday and CBS News Correspondent Steve Hartman has the story of his road to the White House.

It all began 5 months ago, in his mother's garage in Carson, Calif. Kalief and his brother Anthony started and still run a custom T-shirt business called Phree Kountry. What they lack in spelling, they make up for in message.

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Their shirts are all about ending gang violence and empowering those kids to be something more.

"This one says, 'Caution: Educated African American Male,'" Kalief said.

Anthony does the designs. Kalief does the sales. The only other employee is their mother, Shukriyah.

Mom keeps track of the books and her son's hours. She said, "I have to really tell them it's time to go to bed."

Kalief said he's wanted to be a businessman, "since birth."

That's only a slight exaggeration. Kalief started in 1st grade, using his lunch money to buy candy in bulk and then reselling it to his classmates. By junior high he'd moved on to jewelry.

"I'm just a natural born salesman," said Kalief.

Take it from me; He talked me into buying that "caution" shirt.

"It won't be weird," Hartman asked? Kalief replied, "No."

He sells about 65 shirts a month, mostly to classmates and friends. All profits go back to grow the business.

"So your mom works for free?" Hartman asked Kalief.

"Yes."

"She expects nothing in return?"

"She expects me to do well in life," Kalief said.

If that's the currency, Kalief sure paid her well this week.

"I'm so proud of him," said Shukriyah.

A few months ago, Kalief submitted his business plan in the National Young Entrepreneur Competition. Twenty-four thousand kids entered. Judges whittled it down - first to three, and then to Kalief.

He won $10,000 and, of course, a trip to meet the President. Kalief said they talked mostly about his company.

"We showed him a couple shirts, we couldn't bring 'em all," said Kalief. "But he kept one of our shirts that says, 'Caution: Educated African American Male.'"

The same shirt, that in the end, I decided wasn't appropriate for me. Of course being the consummate businessman, Kalief was able to make a sale anyway. A sale, at my expense.

[AOCGUY]

I can't believe the negative comments about this article. Here is a great example of young teens doing good and some of you losers have to find something negative about it.

Good on you Kalief, keep it up and continue to inspire other young entrepreneurs. Young people like Kalief are the foundation of our future.

[PhyllisRaw]

Congrats Kalief, I told you a smile would take you a long way!

[sam-kiley]

coucou
Kalief met that other president Monday and CBS News Correspondent Steve Hartman has the story of his road to the White House.
deux presidents sous le meme toit...tu as de la chance kalief se faire inviter a la "white house" rien que ça bravo..tu dois faire beaucoup de jaloux..wow!!!


Kalief said he's wanted to be a businessman, "since birth."

il ya un commencement a tout kalief..et on dirait que tn reve s'estt réalisé..je te souhaite encore plus de réussite...

by endurorob_5 October 20, 2009 3:01 PM EDT
I don't know if you see the irony in your statement that Obama being president is a reason to get over the black and white thing. Obama is after all black and white.


vous etes infatigables de vouloir ressasser a tout bout de chant cette "rengaine du dimanche" de blanc et noir ..on passe a autre chose..le disque devient rayé...au revoir

[msfine8]

that's my point exactly.... Black and White DO you see what happens when we are united a powerful person is born.... GET OVER IT!!!!! you are making yourself look CRAZY

[msfine8]

I don't know if he has a website but I placed an order through his email I can share his email is [e-mail] his company email is [e-mail] so go on place an order...... and for you guys out there that still in this black and white thang GET OVER IT!!!!! Stop listening to your grandfathers and grandmothers or should I say GREAT Grandparents and get with the times it's 2009 our PRESIDENT is Proof.

[endurorob_5]

I don't know if you see the irony in your statement that Obama being president is a reason to get over the black and white thing. Obama is after all black and white.

[endurorob_5]

Back to my question of why is this in the political section. Here are two stories that are much more appropriate for this section that CBS is ignoring.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/20/tried-steal-election-ny-voter-fraud-case-heats/?test=latestnews


http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/20/justice-says-nc-city-party-affiliations-protect-black-voters/?test=latestnews

[endurorob_5]

Although i find it a good story this young man is doing what he does I do not understand why it is in the political section.

[freedomty]

Stop with the black white thing...i can tell whoever is on that page must be 80 years old....racism is played out....if you still look at everything in black and white...in case you haven't noticed, we have color TV's now.

[freedomty]

i contacted them to buy shirts at [e-mail]...

[pickaguitar1]

Congrats to Steve Hartman!


longtree-2009 = racist

[longtree-2009]

looks like the teen doesn't know how to wear a tie. blacks, negros, african-americans, whatever the pc term is these days, rule. for only being about 12% of the nation's population, it's all about them. they influence the nation's music, film, fashion, so many things including the nation's language. now one of them is potus. mind you for 12% of the population, they rule. it was just back in the 60s, and earlier, that they were marching for civil rights. now it's all about them. isn't it amazing?

[BeckieBest]

longtree

"They" and we are all Americans. And it's not amazing that, given the same oportunities that other Americans enjoy, they have a great deal to contribute.

[MPHgrad]

I'm glad they are not profiling a rapper or athlete. He is a participant in capitalism. Keep up the good work young man, encourage other youth.

[3wva155]

This is about a young man doing something positive with his life. The fact that a young black man thought of it first, is no reason, to discredit his efforts. He won fair and square, but because for so many years, it wasn't about being fair, but preferential treatment, you can't stand to see a young black man being recognized. Stop being a hater.

[TPS2]

Whatever made you think it isn't about preferential treatment now? Preferental treatment is alive and well; actually it is federal law.

[schoolmarmpdx]

Does this young man have a website? I'd like to buy a few for my students.

[realcocoa]

I just want equal time for educated African-American females. Is my BA not as good as a males?

[mrleme]

Whatever, can we go at least one day without the name 'Obama' in the news multiple times?

[bigmo47]

That's not likely because he is uhh...The President.

[vietnamwar]

It all about black..this is a joke ....

[lous33]

If a white kid had though of this ideal would you have said....this was a joke.... so i would not say it's all about black 24 thousand kids enter just so happen a black kid won.