A Bermudian who has spent the past 25 years touring the United States with his one-man show 'The First Black President', yesterday – and before the election result was known – expressed his thrill at the possibility he might see one in his lifetime.

Dennis Watson is hopeful that President-elect Barack Obama and his family will serve as positive role models to the world and raise education standards in the US.

He has focused on both issues in his own efforts – as a motivational speaker, as part of his show, in his work as president and CEO of the National Black Youth Leadership Council, as chairman of the National Youth and Gang Violence Task Force and as chief action officer of the Center for Black Student Achievement.

"(The play) was a vehicle for me to present the black man in a positive light to students and to challenge them to read, to study, to debate and argue and most importantly to think on their feet with self-confidence," said Mr. Watson, who was born in Warwick but raised in Southampton.

The show simulates a press conference. Audience participation allows Mr. Watson to incorporate messages such as the importance of raising the standard of education and encouraging positive black role models like Sen. Obama.

"Now that he is President there are no excuses," said Mr. Watson, confident that the Illinois Senator would be the victor. "We have a generation that follows hip hop and cannot speak. Now that Barack Obama is the President he will be a role model for all young black men and Michelle Obama is the role model for black women.

"The day for nonsense ends today. The day for excuses ends today. Every black male and female must have a focus on higher education.

"It's going to shake up the whole planet. He is going to bring about the dream of Martin Luther King; this is what we have been dreaming about.

"Barack Obama is standing on the shoulders of great visionary African American leaders."

He added that he was able to find his own way through the assistance of Roosevelt Brown, his mentor and teacher; and gained the confidence to speak publicly worldwide, through a Black Power conference in Bermuda in 1969.

Mr. Watson believes he has helped many through his efforts.

"'The First Black President of the United States' was a historic vehicle to show youth what was possible. As a Bermudian I am honoured to know that I have had a small part in creating an atmosphere throughout America that a black man could be President in my lifetime.

"I have been travelling throughout the country and I have been motivating students to get out and vote and I have been speaking to seniors.

"I have been speaking to conferences. The interesting thing is that it has come full circle, but the show continues. I think we have reached a new candidacy.

"This is a message to get rid of races, sexism and chauvinism. To get rid of all this hate and negativity."