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Dear MBK Colleagues, Partners, and Friends,
I hope this message finds you in good health, and that the school year is progressing smoothly. The MBK team at the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is continually inspired by the unwavering dedication of parents, teachers, leaders, and caregivers. Your relentless efforts to create a brighter future for the students of New York State, while seizing the opportunities available today, do not go unnoticed. We see you, we hear you, and we deeply appreciate everything you do.
Our MBK communities have made bold public commitments, forged meaningful partnerships, and developed comprehensive action plans. Their aim is to enhance outcomes and empower boys and young men of color, enabling them to realize their potential. On behalf of all the students in these communities, we extend our sincere thanks for your unwavering dedication and resilience. Your intentional efforts to cultivate environments that foster growth and achievement for all students are commendable and essential. Together, we can ensure that every student can, will, and must achieve their highest potential.
We know that you are busy doing great things for young people and we are happy to share some of what’s going on across the state.
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NYSED's My Brother's Keeper (NYSMBK) initiative has evidently sparked the development of MBK programs at the collegiate level. Under the visionary leadership of Presidents Karol V. Mason of CUNY John Jay College and Anthony E. Munroe of the Borough of Manhattan Community College, students from these institutions are now actively participating in MBK Connect. This pioneering initiative is the sole My Brother's Keeper partnership at the college level nationwide.
Finally, we have a date for the 2025 MBK Symposium: May 1st in Albany, NY. We look forward to having you. On behalf of the NYSMBK team, continue to thrive.
Your Partner in Education,
Dr. Anael Alston
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2025 New York State My Brother's Keeper Symposium
The 2025 New York State My Brother's Keeper Symposium is scheduled for May 1, 2025.
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MBK Alumni Group Coaching Program | | |
The MBK Alumni Group Coaching Program is a transformative 10-week journey designed to empower young men of color, ages 17-25, as they transition into adulthood. Coaching began in January, led by the esteemed Dr. Alfonso Wyatt and Dr. Anael Alston, with appearances by special guest presenters and mentors. This program provides an unparalleled opportunity for MBK alumni to gain valuable insights, robust support, and life-changing skills. Participants join a vibrant community of like-minded, ambitious individuals who share the common bond of the MBK network. Together, they will build the confidence and capabilities to thrive in all areas of life.
Interactive Format with Hot Seats
This isn’t just a coaching program—it’s a dynamic, interactive experience. Each session is designed to actively engage participants through discussions, group activities, and real-world application exercises. A standout feature of the program is the Hot Seat component, where attendees have the opportunity to step forward, share their goals or challenges, and receive personalized coaching.
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Promoting Teaching in Diverse Classrooms | | |
Last fall, the Office of Family & Community Engagement welcomed the International Center of the Capital Region in Troy, NY, together with seven Swiss educators, as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) “Promoting Teaching in Diverse Classrooms.” The program, in partnership with Cultural Vistas, featured numerous educational themes, including community support for multilingual and multiethnic students and families, advancing equity, and closing opportunity gaps for students of color.
Kimberly Hardaway, Director of Family and Community Engagement, and Carlos Garcia, Program Officer, shared valuable insights about the New York State My Brother’s Keeper program. The visitors also heard about efforts to significantly increase the number of individuals from historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups entering teaching careers.
| | New York State My Brother's Keeper Community Network | | Celebrating Four New MBK Communities | | Our MBK Community Network has grown to 40 communities. It is with great excitement that we welcome four new districts as NYSED-recognized MBK Communities. To join the NYS MBK Community Network, the school superintendent and local government official must sign a joint letter to the Commissioner of Education indicating their support of and commitment to meeting the six (6) MBK National Milestones and the six (6) New York State MBK Goals. Detailed instructions for becoming a New York State MBK Community member can be found here. Upon becoming a member of the statewide network, a community gains the support of NYSED's Office of Access, Equity, and Community Engagement Services to help build a community initiative and develop a local MBK action plan. | | Auburn Enlarged City School District | | Valley Stream Central High School District | | Ellenville Central School District | | Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District | | In January, Peekskill High School students led a ceremonial inauguration of Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg. Peekskill MBK student D'Andre South was one of the Masters of Ceremony and performed the ceremonial swearing in of Assemblywoman Levenberg. The event was a wonderful opportunity for young people to get involved in their community and participate in civic life. | | |
Peekskill MBK student
D'Andre South performing the ceremonial swearing in of Assemblywoman
Dana Levenberg
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Peekskill MBK student
D'Andre South
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Peekskill MBK students and administrators at the ceremonial swearing in of Assemblywoman
Dana Levenberg
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Last fall, MBK students from the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) and John Jay College of Criminal Justice came together for the second MBK Convocation. Hosted by MBK Connect, the convocation featured a keynote by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg. BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe and John Jay College President Karol V. Mason also spoke at the ceremony, as did student scholars, mentors, and program leaders. The event celebrated and showcased the 157 MBK students who participated in the summer programming.
MBK Connect is a program focused on men of color either in their first two years or first transfer semester of college. MBK students enter into a brotherhood rooted in personal and group academic success, intellectual and social enrichment, and the exploration of professional opportunities in preparation for careers of consequence. This program fosters their development, from MBK Student to MBK Scholar, as they flourish into empowered, motivated, and equity-minded leaders who hold themselves accountable to improving the well-being of themselves, their families, and their communities.
| | New York State My Brother's Keeper Fellows Program | | The purpose of the MBK Fellows Grant is to provide rising 12th grade high school students, with an emphasis on boys and young men of color, with opportunities to gain authentic leadership experience(s) and develop service projects beneficial to the schools they attend and the communities they live in. | On February 13-15, NYSED hosted its Annual Stand and Deliver: My Brother’s Keeper Fellows Leadership Workshop and Speaker Showcase in Albany. Over 200 people from 40 MBK Communities across New York State were in attendance. | | |
On February 13, the students spent the morning at the University at Albany. They were able to take a tour of the campus and hear from current students about their college experience and programs offered to support them. After the tour, students returned to the State Education Building to participate in a debate on cell phone usage in schools. They were joined by Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., Commissioner Betty A. Rosa, Deputy Commissioner Angelique Johnson-Dingle, Assistant Commissioner Anael Alston, Assistant Commissioner David Frank, Director of Communications JP O’Hare, and Excelsior Fellow Jaada Stewart, who served as judges.
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On February 14, more than 80 MBK Fellows in attendance shared their 90-second TED-style talks on “Living and Learning: My MBK Story."
The audience responded enthusiastically and with pride and emotion to the Fellows' powerful and moving stories.
Rev Dr. Alfonso Wyatt discussed the power of coaching, and keynote speakers Brian Favors and Jordan Pierre poured inspiration and wisdom into the MBK Fellows and their mentors as they spoke of embracing your journey.
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Finally, on February 15, 2025, hosted by Assembly members Brain Cunningham and Jordan J.G. Wright, NYS MBK presented a workshop entitled Population Impact in Action.
The event featured the following speakers: New York State Lieutenant Governor Governor Antonio Delgado, Attorney General Letitia James, Assemblymember Edward Gibbs, former Assemblymember Rev. Michael Blake, and Demetrius Crichlow, President of New York City Transit.
| | Teacher Opportunity Corps II (TOC II) | | Pace University Teachers for Change Conference | | The purpose of TOC II is to increase the rate of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged individuals in teaching careers. TOC II programs incorporate strategies for teacher retention and best practice, such as mentors for new teachers and differentiated instructional techniques. | | |
On March 1, Pace University's School of Education Teachers of Color Empowerment Network (TOC-II) hosted its Third Annual Teachers for Change Conference. Educators, parents, and community leaders came together for a dynamic event dedicated to strengthening family-school partnerships through culturally and socially just approaches.
The conference featured inspiring presentations from distinguished panelists, interactive discussions, and valuable networking opportunities. Experts and speakers shared innovative strategies to build trust across diverse communities, enhance meaningful communication, and address barriers to family engagement. New York State Board of Regents Member Frances G. Wills was also in attendance.
The event underscored the importance of collaboration in education, equipping attendees with practical tools to create inclusive and equitable family learning environments.
| | Find out more about New York State's My Brother's Keeper initiative by visiting our MBK website. | | |
If your school or community would like to share a story to include in a future edition of this newsletter, please email photos and news items to NYSMBK@nysed.gov.
Don't forget to follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and tag us in your posts so we can follow you and share your success stories. Be sure to use the #NYSMBK hashtag!
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