Raleigh, N.C. — Teachers at Wiley Elementary School in Raleigh say Justin Lumpkin, 7, is a natural born leader.

“Justin is a star among stars at Wiley and that’s hard to do, to shine at a place where there’s so many wonderful kids that work hard and appreciate diversity,” Justin’s teacher Megan White said.

Justin speaks Japanese and is talented at math – his favorite subject. But being smart isn’t the only thing that makes a great leader, Justin said.

“I just show respect a lot because it is one of my favorite character traits,” the second grader said. “Wiley likes respect so much that we have a Wiley Way – respect yourself, respect others and respect property.”

He has also earned the respect of his classmates.

“He never does anything bad to other people,” Justin’s friend Bennett Kimball said.

In the future, Justin said he’d like to lead on the soccer field or in a hospital.

WRAL-TV celebrates Black History Month with Living the Legacy. This month-long campaign spotlights the accomplishments of local individuals who are living the legacy of their ancestry and great African-American leaders.