Remarks by the President on "My Brother's Keeper" Initiative

East Room

3:43 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Everybody, please have a seat.  Well, good afternoon, everybody.

AUDIENCE:  Good afternoon.

THE PRESIDENT:  Welcome to the White House.  And thank you, Christian, for that outstanding introduction.  And thank you for cheering for the White Sox, which is the right thing to do.  (Laughter.)  Like your parents and your teachers, I could not be prouder of you.  I could not be prouder of the other young men who are here today.  But just so we’re clear -- you're only excused for one day of school.  (Laughter.)  And I'm assuming you’ve got your assignments with you so that you can catch up -- perhaps even on the flight back.  (Laughter.) 

As Christian mentioned, I first met Christian about a year ago.  I visited the Hyde Park Academy in Chicago, which is only about a mile from my house.  And Christian was part of this program called “Becoming a Man.”  It's a program that Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced to me.  And it helps young men who show a lot of potential but may have gotten in some trouble to stay on the right path. 

They get help with schoolwork, but they also learn life skills like how to be a responsible citizen, and how to deal with life’s challenges, and how to manage frustrations in a constructive way, and how to set goals for themselves.  And it works.  One study found that, among young men who participate in the BAM program, arrests for violent crimes dropped 44 percent, and they were more likely to graduate from high school.  (Applause.)

So as Christian mentioned, during my visit, they’re in a circle and I sat down in the circle, and we went around, led by their counselor, and guys talked about their lives, talked about their stories.  They talked about what they were struggling with, and how they were trying to do the right thing, and how sometimes they didn’t always do the right thing.  And when it was my turn, I explained to them that when I was their age I was a lot like them.  I didn’t have a dad in the house.  And I was angry about it, even though I didn’t necessarily realize it at the time.  I made bad choices.  I got high without always thinking about the harm that it could do.  I didn’t always take school as seriously as I should have.  I made excuses.  Sometimes I sold myself short.

And I remember when I was saying this -- Christian, you may remember this -- after I was finished, the guy sitting next to me said, “Are you talking about you?”  (Laughter.)  I said, yes.  

And the point was I could see myself in these young men.  And the only difference is that I grew up in an environment that was a little bit more forgiving, so when I made a mistake the consequences were not as severe.  I had people who encouraged me -- not just my mom and grandparents, but wonderful teachers and community leaders -- and they’d push me to work hard and study hard and make the most of myself.  And if I didn’t listen they said it again.  And if I didn’t listen they said it a third time. And they would give me second chances, and third chances.  They never gave up on me, and so I didn’t give up on myself.

I told these young men my story then, and I repeat it now because I firmly believe that every child deserves the same chances that I had.  And that’s why we’re here today -- to do what we can, in this year of action, to give more young Americans the support they need to make good choices, and to be resilient, and to overcome obstacles, and achieve their dreams. 

This is an issue of national importance -- it's as important as any issue that I work on.  It's an issue that goes to the very heart of why I ran for President -- because if America stands for anything, it stands for the idea of opportunity for everybody; the notion that no matter who you are, or where you came from, or the circumstances into which you are born, if you work hard, if you take responsibility, then you can make it in this country.  (Applause.)  That's the core idea.   

And that’s the idea behind everything that I’ll do this year, and for the rest of my presidency.  Because at a time when the economy is growing, we’ve got to make sure that every American shares in that growth, not just a few.  And that means guaranteeing every child in America has access to a world-class education.  It means creating more jobs and empowering more workers with the skills they need to do those jobs.  It means making sure that hard work pays off with wages you can live on and savings you can retire on and health care that you can count on.  It means building more ladders of opportunity into the middle class for anybody who’s willing to work hard to climb them.

Those are national issues.  They have an impact on everybody.  And the problem of stagnant wages and economic insecurity and stalled mobility are issues that affect all demographic groups all across the country.  My administration’s policies -- from early childhood education to job training, to minimum wages -- are designed to give a hand up to everybody, every child, every American willing to work hard and take responsibility for their own success.  That's the larger agenda. 
But the plain fact is there are some Americans who, in the aggregate, are consistently doing worse in our society -- groups that have had the odds stacked against them in unique ways that require unique solutions; groups who’ve seen fewer opportunities that have spanned generations.  And by almost every measure, the group that is facing some of the most severe challenges in the 21st century in this country are boys and young men of color. 

Now, to say this is not to deny the enormous strides we’ve made in closing the opportunity gaps that marred our history for so long.  My presence is a testimony to that progress.  Across this country, in government, in business, in our military, in communities in every state we see extraordinary examples of African American and Latino men who are standing tall and leading, and building businesses, and making our country stronger.  Some of those role models who have defied the odds are with us here today -- the Magic Johnsons or the Colin Powells who are doing extraordinary things -- the Anthony Foxxes.

Anthony, yesterday he and I were talking about how both of us never knew our dads, and shared that sense of both how hard that had been but also how that had driven us to succeed in many ways.  So there are examples of extraordinary achievement.  We all know that.  We don't need to stereotype and pretend that there’s only dysfunction out there.  But 50 years after Dr. King talked about his dream for America’s children, the stubborn fact is that the life chances of the average black or brown child in this country lags behind by almost every measure, and is worse for boys and young men. 

If you’re African American, there’s about a one in two chance you grow up without a father in your house -- one in two. If you’re Latino, you have about a one in four chance.  We know that boys who grow up without a father are more likely to be poor, more likely to underperform in school. 

As a black student, you are far less likely than a white student to be able to read proficiently by the time you are in 4th grade.  By the time you reach high school, you’re far more likely to have been suspended or expelled.  There’s a higher chance you end up in the criminal justice system, and a far higher chance that you are the victim of a violent crime.  Fewer young black and Latino men participate in the labor force compared to young white men.  And all of this translates into higher unemployment rates and poverty rates as adults.

And the worst part is we’ve become numb to these statistics.  We're not surprised by them.  We take them as the norm.  We just assume this is an inevitable part of American life, instead of the outrage that it is.  (Applause.)  That's how we think about it.  It's like a cultural backdrop for us -- in movies and television.  We just assume, of course, it's going to be like that.  But these statistics should break our hearts.  And they should compel us to act. 

Michelle and I are blessed with two beautiful daughters.  We don’t have a son.  But I know if I had a son, on the day he was born I would have felt everything I felt with Malia and Sasha -- the awe, the gratitude, the overwhelming sense of responsibility to do everything in my power to protect that amazing new life from this big world out there.  And just as our daughters are growing up into wonderful, beautiful young women, I’d want my son to feel a sense of boundless possibility.  And I’d want him to have independence and confidence.  And I'd want him to have empathy and compassion.  I'd want him to have a sense of diligence and commitment, and a respect for others and himself -- the tools that he’d need to succeed. 

I don't have a son, but as parents, that’s what we should want not just for our children, but for all children.  (Applause.)  And I believe the continuing struggles of so many boys and young men -- the fact that too many of them are falling by the wayside, dropping out, unemployed, involved in negative behavior, going to jail, being profiled -- this is a moral issue for our country.  It’s also an economic issue for our country. 

After all, these boys are a growing segment of our population.  They are our future workforce.  When, generation after generation, they lag behind, our economy suffers.  Our family structure suffers.  Our civic life suffers.  Cycles of hopelessness breed violence and mistrust.  And our country is a little less than what we know it can be.  So we need to change the statistics -- not just for the sake of the young men and boys, but for the sake of America’s future. 

That’s why, in the aftermath of the Trayvon Martin verdict, with all the emotions and controversy that it sparked, I spoke about the need to bolster and reinforce our young men, and give them the sense that their country cares about them and values them and is willing to invest in them.  (Applause.)  And I'm grateful that Trayvon’s parents, Sybrina and Tracy, are here with us today, along with Jordan Davis’s parents, Lucy and Ron. 

In my State of the Union address last month, I said I’d pick up the phone and reach out to Americans willing to help more young men of color facing especially tough odds to stay on track and reach their full potential, so America can reach its full potential.  And that’s what today is all about. 

After months of conversation with a wide range of people, we’ve pulled together private philanthropies and businesses, mayors, state and local leaders, faith leaders, nonprofits, all who are committed to creating more pathways to success.  And we’re committed to building on what works.  And we call it “My Brother’s Keeper.”

Now, just to be clear -- “My Brother’s Keeper” is not some big, new government program.  In my State of the Union address, I outlined the work that needs to be done for broad-based economic growth and opportunity for all Americans.  We have manufacturing hubs, infrastructure spending -- I've been traveling around the country for the last several weeks talking about what we need to do to grow the economy and expand opportunity for everybody.  And in the absence of some of those macroeconomic policies that create more good jobs and restore middle-class security, it’s going to be harder for everyone to make progress.  And for the last four years, we’ve been working through initiatives like Promise Zones to help break down the structural barriers -- from lack of transportation to substandard schools -- that afflict some of this country’s most impoverished counties, and we’ll continue to promote these efforts in urban and rural counties alike. 

Those are all government initiatives, government programs that we think are good for all Americans and we're going to keep on pushing for them.  But what we’re talking about here today with “My Brother’s Keeper” is a more focused effort on boys and young men of color who are having a particularly tough time.  And in this effort, government cannot play the only -- or even the primary -- role.  We can help give every child access to quality preschool and help them start learning from an early age, but we can’t replace the power of a parent who’s reading to that child. We can reform our criminal justice system to ensure that it's not infected with bias, but nothing keeps a young man out of trouble like a father who takes an active role in his son’s life.  (Applause.)

In other words, broadening the horizons for our young men and giving them the tools they need to succeed will require a sustained effort from all of us.  Parents will have to parent -- and turn off the television, and help with homework.  (Applause.) Teachers will need to do their part to make sure our kids don’t fall behind and that we're setting high expectations for those children and not giving up on them.  Business leaders will need to create more mentorships and apprenticeships to show more young people what careers are out there.  Tech leaders will need to open young eyes to fields like computer science and engineering. Faith leaders will need to help our young men develop the values and ethical framework that is the foundation for a good and productive life. 

So we all have a job to do.  And we can do it together -- black and white, urban and rural, Democrat and Republican.  So often, the issues facing boys and young men of color get caught up in long-running ideological arguments about race and class, and crime and poverty, the role of government, partisan politics. We've all heard those arguments before.  But the urgency of the situation requires us to move past some of those old arguments and focus on getting something done and focusing on what works.  It doesn’t mean the arguments are unimportant; it just means that they can't paralyze us.  And there’s enough goodwill and enough overlap and agreement that we should be able to go ahead and get some things done, without resolved everything about our history or our future.   

Twenty years ago, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson started a program in the Miami public school system -- feel free to stand up.  (Applause.)  To help young boys at risk of dropping out of school.  Today, it serves thousands of students in dozens of schools. 

As Mayor of New York, Mayor Bloomberg -- Michael Bloomberg, who’s here today, started a “Young Men’s Initiative” for African-American and Latino boys, because he understood that in order for America to compete we need to make it easier for all our young people to do better in the classroom and find a job once they graduate. 

A bipartisan group of mayors called “Cities United” has made this issue a priority in communities across the country.  Senator Mike Lee -- a leader of the tea party -- has been working with Senator Dick Durbin -- a Democrat from my home state of Illinois -- to reduce disparities in our criminal justice system that have hit the African American and Latino communities especially hard.

So I want to thank everybody who’s been doing incredible work -- many of the people who are here today, including members of Congress, who have been focused on this and are moving the needle in their communities and around the country. 

They understand that giving every young person who’s willing to work hard a shot at opportunity should not be a partisan issue.  Yes, we need to train our workers, invest in our schools, make college more affordable -- and government has a role to play.  And, yes, we need to encourage fathers to stick around, and remove the barriers to marriage, and talk openly about things like responsibility and faith and community.  In the words of Dr. King, it is not either-or; it is both-and.

And if I can persuade Sharpton and O’Reilly to be in the same meeting -- (laughter and applause) -- then it means that there are people of good faith who want to get some stuff done, even if we don't agree on everything.  And that's our focus. 

While there may not be much of an appetite in Congress for sweeping new programs or major new initiatives right now, we all know we can’t wait.  And so the good news is folks in the private sector who know how important boosting the achievement of young men of color is to this country -- they are ready to step up. 

Today, I’m pleased to announce that some of the most forward-looking foundations in America are looking to invest at least $200 million over the next five years -- on top of the $150 million that they’ve already invested -- to test which strategies are working for our kids and expand them in cities across the country.  (Applause.)  

Many of these folks have been on the front lines in this fight for a long time.  What’s more, they’re joined by business leaders, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs who are stepping forward to support this effort as well.  And my administration is going to do its part.  So today after my remarks are done, I’m going to pen this presidential memorandum directing the federal government not to spend more money, but to do things smarter, to determine what we can do right now to improve the odds for boys and young men of color, and make sure our agencies are working more effectively with each other, with those businesses, with those philanthropies, and with local communities to implement proven solutions.

And part of what makes this initiative so promising is that we actually know what works -- and we know when it works. Now, what do I mean by that?  Over the years, we’ve identified key moments in the life of a boy or a young man of color that will, more often than not, determine whether he succeeds, or falls through the cracks.  We know the data.  We know the statistics.  And if we can focus on those key moments, those life-changing points in their lives, you can have a big impact; you can boost the odds for more of our kids. 

First of all, we know that during the first three years of life, a child born into a low-income family hears 30 million fewer words than a child born into a well-off family.  And everybody knows babies are sponges, they just soak that up.  A 30-million-word deficit is hard to make up.  And if a black or Latino kid isn’t ready for kindergarten, he’s half as likely to finish middle school with strong academic and social skills.  So by giving more of our kids access to high-quality early education -- and by helping parents get the tools they need to help their children succeed -- we can give more kids a better shot at the career they’re capable of, and the life that will make us all better off.  So that's point number one right at the beginning. 

Point number two, if a child can’t read well by the time he’s in 3rd grade, he’s four times less likely to graduate from high school by age 19 than one who can.  And if he happens to be poor, he’s six times less likely to graduate.  So by boosting reading levels, we can help more of our kids make the grade, keep on advancing, reach that day that so many parents dream of -- until it comes close and then you start tearing up -- and that's when they’re walking across the stage, holding that high school diploma.

Number three, we know that Latino kids are almost twice as likely as white kids to be suspended from school.  Black kids are nearly four times as likely.  And if a student has been suspended even once by the time they’re in 9th grade they are twice as likely to drop out. 

That’s why my administration has been working with schools on alternatives to the so-called “zero tolerance” guidelines -- not because teachers or administrators or fellow students shold have to put up with bad behavior, but because there are ways to modify bad behavior that lead to good behavior -- as opposed to bad behavior out of school.  We can make classrooms good places for learning for everybody without jeopardizing a child’s future. (Applause.)   And by building on that work, we can keep more of our young men where they belong -- in the classroom, learning, growing, gaining the skills they need to succeed.

Number four, we know that students of color are far more likely than their white classmates to find themselves in trouble with the law.  If a student gets arrested, he’s almost twice as likely to drop out of school.  By making sure our criminal justice system doesn’t just function as a pipeline from underfunded schools to overcrowded jails, we can help young men of color stay out of prison, stay out of jail.  And that means then, they’re more likely to be employable, and to invest in their own families, and to pass on a legacy of love and hope.  

And finally, we know young black men are twice as likely as young white men to be “disconnected” -- not in school, not working.  We've got to reconnect them.  We've got to give more of these young men access to mentors.  We've got to contine to encourage responsible fatherhood.  We've got to provide more pathways to apply to college or find a job.  We can keep them from falling through the cracks, and help them lay a foundation for a career and a family and a better life.

In the discussion before we came in, General Powell talked about the fact that there are going to be some kids who just don't have a family at home that is functional, no matter how hard we try.  But just an adult, any adult who’s paying attention can make a difference.  Any adult who cares can make a difference.

Magic was talking about being in a school in Chicago, and rather than going to the school he brought the school to the company, All-State, that was doing the work.  And suddenly, just that one conversation meant these young men saw something different.  A world opened up for them.  It doesn’t take that much.  But it takes more than we're doing now.   

And that’s what “My Brother’s Keeper” is all about -- helping more of our young people stay on track; providing the support they need to think more broadly about their future;  building on what works, when it works, in those critical life-changing moments.  And when I say, by the way, building on what works, it means looking at the actual evidence of what works.  There are a lot of programs out there that sound good, are well-intentioned, well-inspired, but they’re not actually having an impact.  We don't have enough money or time or resources to invest in things that don't work, so we've got to be pretty hard-headed about saying if something is not working, let’s stop doing it.  Let’s do things that work.  And we shouldn’t care whether it was a Democratic program or a Republican program, or a fait-based program or -- if it works, we should support it.  If it doesn’t, we shouldn’t. 

And all the time recognizing that “my neighbor’s child is my child” -- that each of us has an obligation to give every child the same chance this country gave so many of us.

So, in closing, let me just say this.  None of this is going to be easy.  This is not a one-year proposition.  It’s not a two-year proposition.  It's going to take time.  We're dealing with complicated issues that run deep in our history, run deep in our society, and are entrenched in our minds.  And addressing these issues will have to be a two-way bargain.  Because no matter how much the community chips in, it’s ultimately going to be up to these young men and all the young men who are out there to step up and seize responsibility for their own lives.  (Applause.)  

And that’s why I want to close by speaking directly to the young men who are here today and all the boys and young men who are watching at home.  Part of my message, part of our message in this initiative is “no excuses.”  Government and private sector and philanthropy and all the faith communities -- we all have a responsibility to help provide you the tools you need; we've got to help you knock down some of the barriers that you experience. That’s what we're here for.  But you’ve got responsibilities, too. 

And I know you can meet the challenge -- many of you already are -- if you make the effort.  It may be hard, but you will have to reject the cynicism that says the circumstances of your birth or society’s lingering injustices necessarily define you and your future.  It will take courage, but you will have to tune out the naysayers who say the deck is stacked against you, you might as well just give up -- or settle into the stereotype. 

It’s not going to happen overnight, but you’re going to have to set goals and you're going to have to work for those goals.  Nothing will be given to you.  The world is tough out there, there’s a lot of competition for jobs and college positions, and everybody has to work hard.  But I know you guys can succeed.  We've got young men up here who are starting to make those good choices because somebody stepped in and gave them a sense of how they might go about it. 

And I know it can work because of men like Maurice Owens, who’s here today.  I want to tell Moe’s story just real quick.

When Moe was four years old, he moved with his mom Chauvet from South Carolina to the Bronx.  His mom didn’t have a lot of money, and they lived in a tough neighborhood.  Crime was high.  A lot of young men ended up in jail or worse.  But she knew the importance of education, so she got Moe into the best elementary school that she could find.  And every morning, she put him on a bus; every night, she welcomed him when he came home. 

She took the initiative, she eventually found a sponsorship program that allowed Moe to attend a good high school.  And while many of his friends got into trouble, some of it pretty serious, Moe just kept on getting on the bus, and kept on working hard and reaching for something better.  And he had some adults in his life that were willing to give him advice and help him along the way.  And he ended up going to college.  And he ended up serving his country in the Air Force.  And today, Moe works in the White House, just two doors down from the Oval Office, as the Special Assistant to my Chief of Staff.  (Applause.)  And Moe never misses a chance to tell kids who grew up just like he did that if he can make it, they can, too. 

Moe and his mom are here today, so I want to thank them both for this incredible example.  Stand up, Moe, and show off your mom there.  (Applause.)  Good job, Moe.  

So Moe didn’t make excuses.  His mom had high expectations. America needs more citizens like Moe.  We need more young men like Christian.  We will beat the odds.  We need to give every child, no matter what they look like, where they live, the chance to reach their full potential.  Because if we do -- if we help these wonderful young men become better husbands and fathers, and well-educated, hardworking, good citizens -- then not only will they contribute to the growth and prosperity of this country, but they will pass on those lessons on to their children, on to their grandchildren, will start a different cycle.  And this country will be richer and stronger for it for generations to come.

So let’s get going.  Thank you.  God bless you.  God bless the United States of America.  (Applause.)

END
4:17 P.M. EST

Presidential Memorandum -- Creating and Expanding Ladders of Opportunity for Boys and Young Men of Color

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

SUBJECT: Creating and Expanding Ladders of Opportunity for Boys and Young Men of Color

Over the course of my Administration, we have made consistent progress on important goals such as reducing high school dropout rates and lowering unemployment and crime. Yet as the Congress, State and local governments, research institutions, and leading private-sector organizations have all recognized, persistent gaps in employment, educational outcomes, and career skills remain for many boys and young men of color throughout their lives.

Many boys and young men of color will arrive at kindergarten less prepared than their peers in early language and literacy skills, leaving them less likely to finish school. Labor-force participation rates for young men of color have dropped, and far too many lack the skills they need to succeed. The disproportionate number of African American and Hispanic young men who are unemployed or involved in the criminal justice system undermines family and community stability and is a drag on State and Federal budgets. And, young men of color are far more likely to be victims of murder than their white peers, accounting for almost half of the country's murder victims each year. These outcomes are troubling, and they represent only a portion of the social and economic cost to our Nation when the full potential of so many boys and young men is left unrealized.

By focusing on the critical challenges, risk factors, and opportunities for boys and young men of color at key life stages, we can improve their long-term outcomes and ability to contribute to the Nation's competiveness, economic mobility and growth, and civil society. Unlocking their full potential will benefit not only them, but all Americans.

Therefore, I am establishing the My Brother's Keeper initiative, an interagency effort to improve measurably the expected educational and life outcomes for and address the persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color. The initiative will help us determine the public and private efforts that are working and how to expand upon them, how the Federal Government's own policies and programs can better support these efforts, and how to better involve State and local officials, the private sector, and the philanthropic community.

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:

Section 1. My Brother's Keeper Task Force. (a) There is established a My Brother's Keeper Task Force (Task Force) to develop a coordinated Federal effort to improve significantly the expected life outcomes for boys and young men of color (including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans) and their contributions to U.S. prosperity. The Task Force shall be chaired by the Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary. In addition to the Chair, the Task Force shall consist of the following members:

(i) the Attorney General;

(ii) the Secretary of Agriculture;

(iii) the Secretary of Commerce;

(iv) the Secretary of Defense;

(v) the Secretary of Education;

(vi) the Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(vii) the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development;

(viii) the Secretary of the Interior;

(ix) the Secretary of Labor;

(x) the Secretary of Transportation;

(xi) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;

(xii) the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers;

(xiii) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management;

(xiv) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration;

(xv) the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service;

(xvi) the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement;

(xvii) the Director of the Domestic Policy Council;

(xviii) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

(xix) the Director of the National Economic Council; and

(xx) the heads of such other executive departments, agencies, and offices as the Chair may, from time to time, designate.

(b) A member of the Task Force may designate a senior-level official who is from the member's department, agency, or office, and is a full-time officer or employee of the Federal Government, to perform the day-to-day Task Force functions of the member. At the direction of the Chair, the Task Force may establish subgroups consisting exclusively of Task Force members or their designees under this subsection, as appropriate.

(c) The Deputy Secretary of Education shall serve as Executive Director of the Task Force, determine its agenda, convene regular meetings of the Task Force, and supervise its work under the direction of the Chair. The Department of Education shall provide funding and administrative support for the Task Force to the extent permitted by law and within existing appropriations. Each executive department or agency shall bear its own expenses for participating in the Task Force.

Sec. 2. Mission and Function of the Task Force. (a) The Task Force shall, consistent with applicable law, work across executive departments and agencies to:

(i) develop a comprehensive public website, to be maintained by the Department of Education, that will assess, on an ongoing basis, critical indicators of life outcomes for boys and young men of color (and other ethnic, income, and relevant subgroups) in absolute and relative terms;

(ii) assess the impact of Federal policies, regulations, and programs of general applicability on boys and young men of color, so as to develop proposals that will enhance positive outcomes and eliminate or reduce negative ones;

(iii) create an Administration-wide, online public portal to identify and disseminate successful programs and practices that improve outcomes for boys and young men of color;

(iv) recommend, where appropriate, incentives for the broad adoption by national, State, and local public and private decisionmakers of effective and innovative strategies and practices for providing opportunities to and improving outcomes for boys and young men of color;

(v) consistent with applicable privacy laws and regulations, provide relevant Federal data assets and expertise to public and private efforts to increase opportunities and improve life outcomes for boys and young men of color, and explore ways to coordinate with State and local governments and non-governmental actors with useful data and expertise;

(vi) ensure coordination with other Federal interagency groups and relevant public-private initiatives;

(vii) work with external stakeholders to highlight the opportunities, challenges, and efforts affecting boys and young men of color; and

(viii) recommend to the President means of ensuring sustained efforts within the Federal Government and continued partnership with the private sector and philanthropic community as set forth in this memorandum.

(b) The Task Force shall focus on evidence-based intervention points and issues facing boys and young men of color up to the age of 25, with a particular focus on issues important to young men under the age of 15. Specifically, the Task Force shall focus on the following issues, among others: access to early childhood supports; grade school literacy; pathways to college and a career, including issues arising from school disciplinary action; access to mentoring services and support networks; and interactions with the criminal justice system and violent crime.

(c) Within 30 days of the date of this memorandum, each member of the Task Force shall provide recommended indicators of life outcomes for the public website described in subsection (a)(i) of this section, and a plan for providing data on such indicators.

(d) Within 45 days of the date of this memorandum, each member of the Task Force shall identify any relevant programs and data-driven assessments within the member's department or agency for consideration in the portal described in subsection (a)(iii) of this section.

(e) Within 90 days of the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall provide the President with a report on its progress and recommendations with respect to the functions set forth in subsection (a) of this section. Additionally, the Task Force shall provide, within 1 year of the date of this memorandum, a status report to the President regarding the implementation of this memorandum.

Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law or Executive Order to an agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d) The Secretary of Education is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.

BARACK OBAMA

Statement by the Press Secretary on the Visit of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas

The President will welcome Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House on Monday, March 17.  The President looks forward to reviewing with President Abbas the progress in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.  They will also discuss our continuing effort to work cooperatively to strengthen the institutions that can support the establishment of a Palestinian state.

President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• Robert W. Holleyman II – Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, Office of the United States Trade Representative
• Lisa S. Disbrow – Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management, Department of Defense
• Laura Junor  – Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense
• Karen Kornbluh  – Member, Broadcasting Board of Governors

President Obama also announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

• Leslie Meyers – Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council
• Janet Hill –Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• Michael Lombardo –Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• Rose Kennedy Schlossberg – General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• Susan S. Sher – General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• John W. Rogers, Jr. – Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• José Cisneros – Vice Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Theodore J. Beck – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Sherry Salway Black – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• John Hope Bryant – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Anna Maria Chávez – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Kerry N. Doi – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Ted Gonder – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Richard G. Ketchum – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Beth Kobliner – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Kilandigalu (Kay) M. Madati – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Marc H. Morial – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Carol E. Quillen – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Amy Rosen – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans
• Charles W. Scharf – Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

President Obama also announced his appointment of the following individual to a key Administration post:

• Joe Echevarria – Member, President’s Export Council

President Obama said, “These dedicated and accomplished individuals will be valued additions to my Administration as we tackle the important challenges facing America. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Robert W. Holleyman II, Nominee for Deputy United States Trade Representative, with the rank of Ambassador, Office of the United States Trade Representative

Robert W. Holleyman II is currently the CEO and Founder of Cloud4Growth, a cloud technology development company.  Prior to founding Cloud4Growth in 2013, Mr. Holleyman was the President and CEO of BSA | The Software Alliance from 1990 to 2013.  Previously, Mr. Holleyman served as Senior Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  Before serving as Senior Counsel, Mr. Holleyman was Legislative Director and Assistant to former U.S. Senator Russell B. Long.  Mr. Holleyman received a B.A. from Trinity University and a J.D. from Louisiana State University.

Lisa S. Disbrow, Nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management, Department of Defense

Lisa S. Disbrow is a member of the Senior Executive Service and a retired Air Force Reserve Colonel.  Currently, she serves as the Vice Director for Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment of the Joint Staff’s J8 Directorate, a position she has held since 2009.  From 2007 to 2009, she served as the Principal Deputy for Force Management.  She has served in the J8 Directorate since 1995.  From 2006 to 2007, she was detailed to the National Security Council as the Special Advisor for Policy Implementation and Execution to the President's National Security Advisor.  From 2003 to 2006, she served as Deputy Director for Wargaming, Simulation, and Analysis in the Joint Staff/J8.  Following active duty, Ms. Disbrow served in the National Reconnaissance Office as a Senior Systems Engineer from 1992 to 1995.  On active duty, Ms. Disbrow served in multiple capacities as an operational planner, electronic intelligence analyst, and programming officer.  Ms. Disbrow received a B.A. from the University of Virginia, an M.A. from The George Washington University, and an M.A. from the National War College.

Laura Junor, Nominee for Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Department of Defense

Laura Junor is the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness at the Department of Defense (DOD), a position she has held since 2011.  Previously, Ms. Junor supported DOD’s program and budget process as the Chief of Staff for the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation from 2009 to 2011.  From 2007 to 2009, Ms. Junor was the President and Owner of Readiness Logic, LLC.  Ms. Junor served as the Analytic Advisor and Defense Readiness Reporting System Interagency Director in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at DOD from 2003 to 2007.  From 1994 to 2003, she directed readiness research for the Center for Naval Analyses.  Ms. Junor received a B.A. from Goucher College and an M.A. and a Ph.D. from George Mason University.

Ambassador Karen Kornbluh, Nominee for Member, Broadcasting Board of Governors

Ambassador Karen Kornbluh is Executive Vice President of External Affairs at the Nielsen Company.  From 2009 to 2012, she served in Paris as Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development with the rank of Ambassador. From 2005 to 2008, she served as Policy Director in the office of Senator Barack Obama, and was an author of the 2008 Democratic Party Platform.  Previously, she held policy positions at the New America Foundation, where she founded the Work and Family Program.  She served as Deputy Chief of Staff at the Department of the Treasury from 1998 to 2000, and held several positions at the Federal Communications Commission from 1995 to 1998, including Assistant Chief of the International Bureau and Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.  She is a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations.  Ambassador Kornbluh received a B.A. from Bryn Mawr College and an M.P.P. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

President Obama announced his intent to appoint the following individuals to key Administration posts:

Leslie Meyers, Appointee for Member, United States Holocaust Memorial Council

Leslie Meyers is Program Coordinator at The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, a position she has held since 2005.  From 2000 to 2002, she was Director of Marketing at Gear magazine.  Prior to joining Gear, Ms. Meyers was a Talent Manager at Propaganda Management in Los Angeles.  She was a Development Executive at Western International Communications in Los Angeles in 1996.  Ms. Meyers also worked as an Assistant to a Creative Executive at Touchstone Pictures from 1992 to 1993, and at Carsey-Werner Productions as Production Secretary on the television show Davis Rules from 1991 to 1992.  She began her career as a Junior Talent Manager at Addis-Wechsler Management in Los Angeles.  Ms. Meyers received a B.A. in Film Studies from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Janet Hill, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Janet Hill is Principal at Hill Family Advisors.  From 1981 to 2010, she was Vice President and a founder of Alexander & Associates Inc.  From 1977 to 1981, Ms. Hill was Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army.  She is a member of the Boards of Directors of the Carlyle Group, Echo360, Dean Foods, Inc., and Wendy’s Company, Inc.  She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Duke University, and served an 18-year term on the Board of Visitors at the Duke Fuqua School of Business.  She is a former Chairwoman of the Women’s Campaign Fund.  Ms. Hill received a B.A. from Wellesley College and an M.A.T. in Mathematics from The University of Chicago.

Michael Lombardo, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Michael Lombardo is President of Programming for HBO, a position he has held since 2007.  Previously, he was Executive Vice President of Business Affairs, Production and Programming Operations from 2003 to 2007.  Since joining HBO in 1983, he has held multiple positions, including President of Programming Group & West Coast Operations, Co-President and Head of Programming Group of HBO, Senior Counsel of Original Programming and Sports, and Director of Business Affairs.  Mr. Lombardo serves on the boards of The Paley Center, The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation, Film Independent, and Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).  Mr. Lombardo received an A.B. from Cornell University and a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Rose Kennedy Schlossberg is a writer and researcher for Red Board Productions, a position she has held since 2012.  Previously, she has held various positions with Blowback Productions from 2010 to 2012,  including Associate Editor, Associate Producer, and Production Associate.  She was a Research Assistant at the Radcliffe Institute of Harvard University in 2009.  She serves as a Trustee of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation.  Ms. Schlossberg received a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.P.S. from New York University. 

Susan S. Sher, Appointee for General Trustee, Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Susan S. Sher is Senior Adviser to the President of The University of Chicago, a position she has held since 2011.  Previously, she served in the White House as Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama from 2009 to 2011.  Prior to this, she served as Associate White House Counsel.  She was Vice President for Legal and Governmental Affairs and General Counsel of The University of Chicago Medical Center from 1997 to 2009.  Previously, she was Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago from 1993 to 1997 and a partner at Mayer Brown & Platt from 1981 to 1985.  She is on the Boards of Loyola University of Chicago, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Partnership for a Healthier America, the National Jewish Democratic Council, and the National Advisory Board of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.  She received a B.A. from The George Washington University and a J.D. from Loyola University of Chicago.

John W. Rogers, Jr., Appointee for Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

John W. Rogers, Jr., is the Chairman, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of Ariel Investments.  Mr. Rogers was previously Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  Mr. Rogers currently serves as a board member of Exelon Corporation and McDonald’s Corporation.  Additionally, he is a director of the Chicago Urban League, a trustee of The University of Chicago, Chairman of the Board of Directors for The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, and a member of the board of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, where he serves on the Investment Committee.  Mr. Rogers was previously Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  Mr. Rogers served as a Co-Chair for the Obama-Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee in 2009.  He received an A.B. from Princeton University. 

José Cisneros, Appointee for Vice Chair, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

José Cisneros is the Treasurer of the City and County of San Francisco, a position he has held since 2004.  Mr. Cisneros served as Deputy General Manager for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.  Previously, Mr. Cisneros worked for IBM Corporation and Lotus Development Corporation as a Senior International Product Manager.  Prior to this, he was an Assistant Vice President at Bank of Boston.  He received a B.S. from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Theodore J. Beck, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Theodore J. Beck is the President and CEO of the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), a position he has held since 2005.  Mr. Beck also serves on the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion, and as Chairman of the board of the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy.  In 2010, he was appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability and was Chair of its Research and Evaluation Committee.  In 2008, he was appointed to serve as a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy and served as Chair of the Outreach Subcommittee.  Prior to his appointment at NEFE, Mr. Beck served as Associate Dean of Executive Education and Corporate Relations at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business.  Prior to joining the University in 1999, he spent more than 20 years in various positions for Citibank/Citigroup, including Managing Director and Market Manager.  Mr. Beck received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin School of Business.

Sherry Salway Black, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Sherry Salway Black is the Director of the Partnership for Tribal Governance at the National Congress of American Indians.  Previously, she was the Senior Vice President of First Nations Development Institute.  Ms. Black is a member of the Honoring Nations Board of Governors.  She also serves on the boards of First Peoples Fund, the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, and the Hitachi Foundation.  Ms. Black is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Ms. Black was a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2011 to 2013.   She received a B.S. from East Stroudsburg University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

John Hope Bryant, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

John Hope Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, a nonprofit founded in 1992.  He is also the Co-Founder of Global Dignity and a member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders and Global Agenda Council for the World Economic Forum.  He served as Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  Prior to this, Mr. Bryant served as the Vice Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy (PACFL) and as the Chairman of PACFL’s Committee on the Underserved. 

Anna Maria Chávez, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Anna Maria Chávez is the CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA.  Prior to her current role, Ms. Chávez served as CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.  Before joining Girl Scouts, she held various roles for the State of Arizona, including Deputy Chief of Staff for Urban Relations and Community Development for former Governor Janet Napolitano, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, in-house Counsel, and Assistant Director for the Division of Aging and Community Services at the Arizona Department of Economic Security.  Before working for the State of Arizona, Ms. Chávez worked as Senior Policy Advisor to former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater.  She served as Chief of Staff to the Deputy Administrator at the Small Business Administration (SBA) and Chief of Staff for the Office of Government Contracting and Minority Enterprise Development at SBA.  From 1996 to 1998, Ms. Chávez acted as Legal Counsel for the Federal Highway Administration.  She received a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona.

Kerry N. Doi, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Kerry N. Doi has served as President and CEO of the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment since 1976.  Mr. Doi is also a board member of the Los Angeles Housing Partnership and the California Community Economic Development Association.  From 2009 to 2011, Mr. Doi served on the Federal Reserve Board’s Consumer Advisory Council.  He is a founding member of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development.  Mr. Doi received a B.S. from California State University, Long Beach.

Ted Gonder, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Ted Gonder is the CEO of Moneythink, an organization he co-founded in 2009.   In 2012, Mr. Gonder served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Prior to serving at DHS, he founded The University of Chicago Entrepreneurship Society and Project Cooldown.  Mr. Gonder has also worked for several startup companies, including Kauffman Foundation.  He received a B.A. from The University of Chicago. 

Richard G. Ketchum, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Richard G. Ketchum is the Chairman and CEO of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).  Prior to joining FINRA, Mr. Ketchum was CEO of NYSE Regulation, Inc., Chief Regulatory Officer of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and General Counsel of the Corporate and Investment Bank of Citigroup, Inc.  Prior to Citigroup, he served as President of both the National Association of Securities Dealers and The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.  He also worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for 14 years, where he served as Director of the Division of Market Regulation for eight years.  He served as a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  Mr. Ketchum received a B.A. from Tufts University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law.

 Beth Kobliner, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Beth Kobliner currently writes a column about kids and money for The Huffington Post and www.Mint.com.  She has written about a range of personal finance topics for publications including The New York Times, Money, Parade, Reader’s Digest, Glamour, and Redbook.  Ms. Kobliner has been a regular contributor on public radio’s “Marketplace” and “The Takeaway”, and a repeat guest on NBC’s Today show, CNN, and MSNBC.  Ms. Kobliner served as content expert for Sesame Workshop’s financial education initiative, For Me, for You, for Later.  She was a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2010 to 2013.  She received an A.B. from Brown University.

Kilandigalu (Kay) M. Madati, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Kilandigalu (Kay) M. Madati is the Head of Entertainment & Media on the Global Marketing Solutions team at Facebook, a position he has held since 2011.  From 2008 to 2011, Mr. Madati was the Vice President of Audience Experience at CNN Worldwide.  Previously, from 2007 to 2008, Mr. Madati was the Vice President of Marketing at Community Connect, Inc.  Mr. Madati began his career with BMW of North America where he held various positions, including Regional Marketing and Operations Manager from 2002 to 2004, Relationship and Multicultural Marketing Manager from 1999 to 2002, Sales and Marketing Manager from 1997 to 1999, and Management Associate from 1996 to 1997.  Mr. Madati received a B.A. from Georgetown University. 

Marc H. Morial, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Marc H. Morial is President and CEO of the National Urban League.  He has served as a Louisiana State Senator, Mayor of New Orleans, and President of the bi-partisan U.S. Conference of Mayors, where he served during the 9/11 crisis.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Morial practiced law and taught Constitutional Law and Business Law at Xavier University.  He served as a Member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2012 to 2013.  Mr. Morial received a B.A from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.

Carol E. Quillen, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Carol E. Quillen is the President of Davidson College, a position she has held since 2011. Previously, Dr. Quillen was Vice President for International and Interdisciplinary Initiatives at Rice University.  At Rice University, Dr. Quillen was also a member of the history faculty, Director of the University’s Boniuk Center for the Study and Advancement of Religious Tolerance, and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs.  She received a B.A. from The University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Princeton University.

Amy Rosen, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Amy Rosen is President and CEO of the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, a position she has held since 2008.  She is the Vice-Chair of the World Economic Forum’s policy council on youth unemployment and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.  Ms. Rosen was the Vice Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability from 2011 to 2013.  Ms. Rosen served as a Fellow at the Broad Urban Superintendents Academy and as the Chief Operating Officer for New Visions for Public Schools.  Ms. Rosen also served as a Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the NJ Transit Board of Directors, Deputy Commissioner of the NJ Department of Transportation, and Senior Vice President of Lockheed Martin Information Management Services.   Ms. Rosen received a B.A. from Pitzer College. 

Charles W. Scharf, Appointee for Member, President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans

Charles W. Scharf is the CEO and a Corporate Director of Visa Incorporated.  From 2011 to 2012, Mr. Scharf was a Managing Director of One Equity Partners, the private investment arm of JPMorgan Chase & Co.  From 2004 to 2011, Mr. Scharf served as CEO of Retail Financial Services at JPMorgan Chase & Co.  He was CEO of the retail division of Bank One Corporation from 2002 to 2004.  Mr. Scharf also served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Bank One Corporation from 2000 to 2002.  Prior to Bank One, he was CFO of the Global Corporate and Investment Bank division at Citigroup, Inc. from 1999 to 2000.  From 1995 to 1999, he was the CFO of Salomon Smith Barney and its predecessor company.  Mr. Scharf received a B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University and an M.B.A. from New York University. 

President Obama announced his appointment of the following individual to a key Administration post:

Joe Echevarria, Appointee for Member, President’s Export Council

Joe Echevarria is the CEO of Deloitte LLP, a position he has held since June 2011.  Mr. Echevarria joined Deloitte in 1978 and became an audit partner in 1988.  Since that time, he has held a wide range of leadership positions, most recently as U.S. Managing Partner for Operations.  As part of his current role, Mr. Echevarria chairs the U.S. Executive Committee, and is a member of the U.S. Board of Directors, the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited Board, and the Americas Executive Committee.  Mr. Echevarria serves on the Board of Trustees and chairs the University of Miami School of Business’s Board of Overseers.  He served on the Presidential Commission on Election Administration from 2013 to 2014.  Mr. Echevarria received a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Miami.