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Curtis Sliwa
CEO & Founder
Curtis Sliwa begins each weekday morning well before sunrise, at "the Rooster Hour", bringing
his high energy, sharp wit, and candor to thousands of New Yorkers as the popular host of
WABC 770 AM Radio's "The Curtis Sliwa Show," broadcast from 5 AM-6 AM and 10AM -12
PM, Monday through Friday). After jump-starting the days of radio listeners with news, lively
commentary, and interviews, he often rushes off for a television appearance on, FOX News, BBC,
CNN, Hannity and Colmes, or Time Warner Cable's NY1. Curtis caps off the day by taking it "from the suites to the streets" for 96.9 WTKK in Boston from 10PM to 1 AM.
Next, as Founder and CEO of the non-profit, volunteer Alliance of Guardian Angels, Inc ("The
Guardian Angels"), Curtis takes to his cell phone, computer, and the streets to address the
latest activity at the Angel's 136 chapters in 13 nations (the US, Canada, Japan, Philippines,
New Zealand, Peru, Brazil, Denmark, England, Macedonia, South Africa, Israel, and Mexico).
The well-trained Guardian Angels serve their communities, patrolling streets and subways as
one, unarmed, to deter crime and violence. A new chapter is forming, yet another community
or citizen is crying out for help, or the Angels are responding to an act of violence or crisis. He
might book a weekend visit to a city in need, meet with local chapter members, set off for a local
crime scene to offer help, or volunteer to safeguard a community event.
The red beret proudly worn by Curtis and Guardian Angels around the world has become an
icon for "safety", the singular goal of the organization. The life of Curtis is one of dedication,
unwavering commitment, and selflessness. The enemies, to name a few, are gangbangers,
bullies, cyberbullies and Internet predators. Our young people are among our most vulnerable
and a major target of his protective efforts. The answers he offers are education, empowerment,
and collaboration.
Curtis has built his global grass roots volunteer organization by "empowering the powerless", engaging individuals to help themselves without standing
by, waiting for help or backing from government and other resources. Says Curtis, "You have to get involved in the process. Don't sit on the sidelines."
His example of leadership, personal responsibility, and the power of "Us and We, not I and Me" has inspired individuals of all races, ethnicities, and
ages for 29 years to step up to the plate, become actively engaged in solutions, recognizing that every person CAN make a difference.
Curtis and his wife Mary, the organization's COO, have expanded the Angels target zone, from streets and subways to schools, parents, and the
Internet. They dispatch Guardian Angels Education Teams to schools in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, and Florida, where members
conduct programs to raise awareness about bullying, gangs, youth violence, and Internet threats, and outline solutions to help safeguard children
and families. Recently, they introduced their first online program on bullying and gang awareness, prevention and defense. They are growing
CyberAngels, the organization's Internet Safety program, which has been teaching families how to stay safe online since 1995. CyberAngels was
recipient of The prestigious Points of Light Presidential Service Award in 1998.
Born and raised in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn, Curtis started his lifetime work in public service
as a young man. As night manager of the McDonald's at Webster and Fordham Road in the Bronx
in the early 70s, he instituted a community clean-up program. Local volunteers, dubbed the "Rock
Brigade," painted over graffiti, cleaned up vacant lots, boarded up vacant buildings and planted trees
and gardens.
Later that decade, determined to take back the community, reduced by drugs, crime, gangs, and arson,
Curtis expanded his neighborhood program to patrol the Number 4 train, then known as the "Mugger's
Express." Curtis recruited a multi-cultural, multi-racial team of volunteers ("the Magnificent 13") who
rode one of NYC's worst subway lines between the toughest stops in the city, making citizen's arrest,
if needed, to detain gang members and criminals for police. Initially they encountered resistance
and skepticism from both transit and local police. Soon however, doubt was replaced with trust as
Guardian Angels volunteers became role models. Out of these modest beginnings, The Guardian Angels was born in 1979.
Curtis is a member of the Board of Directors for The Children's Miracle Network. He is featured frequently as a guest lecturer at colleges and
universities, and an adjunct professor at St. John's University. Since 2002, the Angels have conducted workshops at St. John's University in support
of the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act (S.A.V.E.). Curtis' programs and initiatives have been recognized by Presidents and Prime
Ministers, Governors, Senators and Mayors, as well as by leading businessmen, veterans groups and numerous other associations. He wins praises
time and time again for his appearances as a speaker before corporate teams, media professionals, senior executives, non-profit associations and
educators. Curtis was voted Top Talk Show Host of the Year by Radio and Records Magazine, and has been nominated for numerous other
prestigious industry awards.
Curtis married wife Mary in 2000. They have one son, Anthony Chester, born in 2003.
"Ideas CAN become realities as long as you roll up your sleeves, you do the hard work,
and you're true to your commitment and your cause." - Curtis Sliwa
Download Curtis Sliwa's Biography: English or Hebrew
Download Hi-res Photograph
E-mail: Curtis@GuardianAngels.org
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