On February 27, 2014 President Barack Obama launched “My Brother’s Keeper” (MBK). The President’s call to action was a reflection of his commitment to close opportunity gaps still faced by too many young people, and often faced by boys and young men of color in particular. The President’s vision found its roots in the idea 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.” The President’s announcement encouraged candid dialogues around the country and a greater sense of responsibility among community leaders and young people themselves to put all youth in a position to thrive, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
Over the course of the past year, efforts have advanced along three interdependent areas of focus based on the goals laid out in the MBK Presidential Memorandum: Place-Based State and Local Engagement (the MBK Community Challenge); Private-Sector Action (e.g. independent nonprofit, philanthropic and corporate action); and Public Policy review and reform (the work of the MBK Task Force). This report provides an update on all three approaches.
Population of focus: Boys and young men of color
Link to resource: My Brother’s Keeper Task Force: One-Year Progress Report to the President (pdf)
Date: 2015
Organization: My Brother’s Keeper Task Force