My Brother's Keeper
From an initiative by The Obama Foundation
My Brother's Keeper (MBK) is an initiative that has built an alliance of community networks across the USA to realise improved life outcomes for boys and young men of colour. Research shows that the collective work of community leaders, members, and public and private agencies pursuing the same goals for boys and young men of colour can lead to sustainable, place-based change.
The MBK Alliance works to unleash the power of communities working together to solve problems for boys and young men of colour, at a level to improve real life outcomes.
They believe that cross-sector collaborative action is central to how communities will achieve improved outcomes for boys and young men of colour. This involves collaborative action by:
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Local leaders. Local leaders champion efforts across departments to shift policies and improve outcomes for boys and young men of colour.
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Non-profits. Non-profits provide high-quality service offerings directed towards boys and young men of colour from cradle to career.
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Corporations. Corporations commit resources to support boys and young men of colour and create targeted hiring and retention strategies
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Philanthropy. Philanthropy commits sustained financial resources to support boys and young men of colour.
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Residents. Residents are engaged and commit time and their voices to shape priorities and initiatives.
The programme is rooted in six key life milestones that research shows are especially predictive of later success, and where interventions can have the greatest impact. Although the factors that influence success at each stage are complex and interdependent, by focusing on these milestones, doing what works and removing or avoiding roadblocks that hinder progress, the Alliance can provide young people the opportunity and the tools to get ahead. These milestones are:
Milestone 1: Entering School Ready To Learn. The earliest years of a child’s life are critical for building the foundation for success in school and beyond.
Milestone 2: Reading at Grade level by 8 years old. All children should be reading at grade level by the end of third grade — the time at which reading to learn, and not just learning to read, becomes essential.
Milestone 3: Graduate From High School. Every American child should be college and career ready.
Milestone 4: Complete Post-secondary Education Or Training. All Americans should receive the education and training needed for quality jobs of today and tomorrow.
Milestone 5: All Youth Out Of School Are Employed. Anyone who wants a job should be able to get a job that allows them to support themselves and their families.
Milestone 6: All Youth Remain Safe From Violent Crime. All children should be safe from violent crime; and individuals who are confined should receive the education, training, and treatment needed to have a real second chance.
Let's take the example of one MBK initiative, Omaha 360 in Nebraska. After several years of Omaha 360, involving pastors, residents, non-profits, businesses, schools, the police department, elected officials and many more, there has been a measurable impact. The graduation rate has increased from 50 percent up to a high of 81 percent for African-American young men. There was a 21 percent unemployment rate and that has reduced to 7 percent. Non-fatal gun assaults have been reduced from a high of 243 to a low of 90 at one point. Homicides were reduced from 43 to 30. The rate that homicides were solved was 32 percent. It has hit as high as 90 percent. That's one of the highest in the nation, especially for a city of this size.
"To see the impact of violence just reduce, gives our youth a different outlook on life." Willie Barney, leader Omaha 360.
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From an initiative by The Obama Foundation, 19/03/2025