My Brother's Keeper
Two Years of Expanding Opportunity
& Creating Pathways for Success
240+ communities in all 50 states
$1 billion in private sector commitments
Scores of federal grants, guidance, and partnerships
…and we're just getting started.
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“There’s nothing, not a single thing,
that’s more important to the future of America than
whether or not you and young people all across
this country can achieve their dreams.”
—President Obama on My Brother's Keeper, May 2015
Two years ago, President Obama launched
My Brother's Keeper to tear down barriers
that too often prevent boys and
young men of color and too many of our kids
from reaching their potential.
Here’s the progress we’ve made so far…
Today, more than 240 communities have accepted
the My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge…
…the private sector has responded to the call to action by committing
more than $1 billion in grants, in-kind resources, and financing…
…and the MBK Task Force has responded to 80%
of its policy recommendations to the President.
That’s added up to a whole lot of kids
seeing brighter futures for themselves and their families.
MBK is about helping young people like Noah, an alum
of the White House Mentorship and Leadership Program
who overcame many obstacles growing up in Washington, D.C.
and is now following his dreams as a freshman at Morehouse College…
"Mentors have played a huge role in my life.
Without them I wouldn't be here today … With only
one parent in the house, initiatives like MBK were just
what I needed. My mentors have been a family away from my family."
—Noah, Washington, D.C.
Even Kendrick Lamar stepped up to share why mentoring matters to him.
MBK has inspired hundreds of mayors, tribal leaders,
and county executives to bring their communities together
to tackle opportunity gaps and build positive
outcomes for all young people.
“My Brother’s Keeper is an opportunity to put Boston on a
more firm pathway for equity for our young people,
and hopefulness for our young people …
We’re going to show America the way forward.”
—Marty Walsh, Mayor of Boston
And the momentum is growing every day, with more than
240 MBK communities across all 50 states implementing
their own plans to expand opportunity.
In Detroit, a coalition of community leaders will double the number of kids working
in the summer youth jobs program and train thousands more men of color as mentors.
In Philadelphia, community leaders committed to reducing
in-school arrests by 50% and already exceeded their goals.
Business leaders are stepping up, too,
because they know America is strongest when we field a full team.
In May, the President announced that a group of business
leaders was launching the My Brother’s Keeper
Alliance—a new, independent non-profit organization
dedicated to making the American Dream available to
boys and young men of color.
The Opportunity Finance Network created the “Youth
Opportunity Pledge,” committing its network of 225+
community banks to $1 billion in new financing to support
programs like early care through high school education and
affordable housing. More than $300 million has already been invested.
And the federal government is doing its part, reviewing
and reforming policies to ensure our kids can thrive.
Read Where You Are is a year-round call to action to encourage more reading time
out of school and especially over the summer as part of the My Brother's Keeper Initiative.
We're working on initiatives that help them thrive
from the cradle and the earliest stages of life…
The MBK School Success Mentor initiative will connect 250,000 sixth and ninth graders
to school-linked mentors in 30 cities in an effort to eliminate chronic absenteeism.
…initiatives that help them graduate high school and get through college…
Nearly 50 National Labs in more than 20 states from across the federal system
opened their facilities to more than 3,000 youth from nearby neighborhoods for the
inaugural MBK & Council on Women and Girls National Week at the Labs.
…initiatives that help them enter the workforce with 21st century skills…
The Department of Education and Department of Justice announced Second
Chance Pell, a pilot program to test new models to allow incarcerated Americans
to receive Pell Grants to support them in getting a college education, and give them a second chance at success.
…and initiatives that help kids soar in safe communities that provide safety nets and second chances.
But we're not done yet. There's more work to do to
help our kids succeed from cradle to college and career.
“This will remain a mission for me and for Michelle not just for
the rest of my presidency but for the rest of my life,”
—President Obama on My Brother’s Keeper, May 2015
Be part of this work:
Take a note from President Obama and Steph Curry
and sign up to become a mentor today!
Looking for more ways to get involved?
1. Find your local MBK Community
2. Give a kid his first job or internship through the Summer Opportunity Project
3. Learn about the ways businesses are investing in our future at IamMBK.org.
4. Go to ED.gov/ReadWhereYouAre to find tips on
helping kids develop a love for reading.
The Faces of
My Brother's Keeper
These are the stories of young men who, with the support
of the MBK mentors and community leaders who believed in
them, found pathways toward overcoming their obstacles
and achieving their dreams …
"President Obama said 'no one is successful alone; together we achieve
more.' I put his words into action and began volunteering at my local
library and tutoring other students. When I go to college, I want to leave
my community better than I found it."
—Ramon, 18, Silver Spring, MD
"Last year I was failing all my classes. I was ashamed to tell my MBK mentors.
They gave me a lot of support through that time. I'm inspired by their work
ethic. It's important that the next generation has access to mentorship like I’ve had."
—Josiah, 17, Bethesda, MD
"I grew up with my grandparents and three of eight siblings. I was the first
in my family to graduate college. I was homeless after finishing school
but I kept going. MBK Philly means a lot to me because the leaders
support our young people."
—Akeem, 28, Philadelphia, PA
"President Obama asked how he could help young men of color. I
answered, 'What about love?' I grew up without a father in a
low-income home with four brothers, and I knew the President
could identify. Today, I’m an ambassador for MBK and
making waves across Boston for the youth."
—Malachi, 18, Boston, MA
"I moved from the Dominican Republic three years ago and didn’t
know English. Since becoming an MBK mentee, I’ve challenged
myself by taking honors classes and helping my brother and sister
with their homework every night. I didn’t think I’d ever visit the
White House or meet President Obama."
—Oscar, 17, Silver Spring, MD
"Coming from Compton, I was forced to grow up fast. My father never loved me
and wasn’t in the picture. The fact that President Obama cares about young
men of color like me is mind-blowing. Prior to MBK, I dropped out of California
State University Fullerton. Now I am attending community college, and serve as a
commissioner for the City."
—Cristian, 21, Compton, CA
"My zip code is one of the most dangerous. MBK has allowed me to
participate in community service locally and in Nicaragua. I interned in the
Mayor’s office, am a member of a Youth Violence Prevention Program, and am
Student Council President. My dream is to change this city for the better."
—Travon, 17, Detroit, MI
"My family wasn't wealthy and struggled. This motivated me to grab
every opportunity. MBK has shaped how I’m preparing for my future, and
challenged me to teach what I've learned. Before MBK, I was shy and antisocial.
Now I’m in JROTC, volunteer, and leadership roles."
—Kevin, 17, Hyattsville, MD
"I attended 13 schools before graduating. It was hard to mature and grow.
Thankfully my mentor Dr. Henry got me on track. I went from one of the worst
students to being an example for others. I’m at Morehouse College now.
If I overcame these challenges, I can conquer anything!"
—Noah, 19, Atlanta, GA
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