JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- You might know him from YouTube, where he's gotten more than a million hits for his interview at a rally for then presidential candidate Barack Obama.

But Derrick Ashong, better known as DNA, is recognized worldwide for his leadership role in "Take Back the Mic," a global cultural movement that empowers young people through the use of niche and viral marketing in the music industry.

DNA used his personal experiences to talk with 400 plus high school and Jefferson Community College students at the College Thursday. He was the keynote speaker for Leadership Day on campus. It's a program designed to show students the power of leadership qualities and what it means to be a leader.

"Leadership is not declared, it's evidenced. You don't say you're a leader, you either are or you're not. The capacity to lead is within all of us, it's just a question of whether or not we make the sacrifices and take the responsibility to live a life that is greater than simply our own self interests," said Ashong.

Students were also treated to a performance by HBO spoken-word slam poet Kelly Tsai.