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About Us
Pierre, Max and Joe want to share their story of friendship and perseverance to show black youth that athletes and entertainers are not the only examples of achievement and success.
Through their book "Pulse of Perseverance," the doctors reveal how they overcame poverty, dysfunction and failing schools to accomplish their dreams of becoming doctors.
Late 90’s New Orleans, Xavier University—Where It All Began
In 1998, Max Madhere, Pierre Johnson, and Joe Semien were three young, black, premedical students at Xavier University of Louisiana. Each was struggling with the demands of Xavier’s rigorous curriculum, yet each was determined to succeed, even if the statistics—or the stereotypes about black men—said otherwise.
By drawing on each other’s determination and individual strengths, they forged a brotherhood and created a bond so strong that it would carry them through college, medical school, and well beyond. Now they’ve come together in Pulse to share their stories and encourage young people of color to pursue high-level careers.
Fast Forward
Today, Pierre, Max and Joe want to share their story of friendship and perseverance to show young, black men that athletes and entertainers are not the only examples of black achievement and success.
They believe that it is not enough for them to have made it and found success, but that they are called to pull others up along with them.
Together, they want to serve as positive examples who encourage young men and women in under-represented communities to aspire to something greater in their personal and professional lives.
Pierre, Max and Joe worked hard and overcame many obstacles, but they also understand that no one succeeds on their own. They had each other, but also many people along the way who served as examples and who pushed them to succeed. This is why they decided to write Pulse of Perseverance — the story of their difficult journey to becoming respected, successful doctors.
Writing this book inspired them to found Pulse Of Perseverance, a 501c3 organization dedicated to empowering and inspiring youth from backgrounds like theirs to work towards their goals by giving them a blueprint and resources for success.
In doing this, they hope to combat and redefine the negative narrative surrounding black males to lessen the ways prejudice and inequality hinder black men from achieving success.
As the founders of Pulse of Perseverance, Pierre, Max and Joe want to share their story as motivational speakers and serve as mentors to black youth who want to achieve their own visions of success.
By working with nonprofits, educators, youth organizations, mentors, churches and counselors, they believe creating a different future is possible.