I have had the extraordinary privilege of helping build a race and gender-conscious movement across the United States to obliterate the barriers that stand in the way of our boys and young men achieving their greatest potential. As I think about my time as the founding executive director of My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, I wanted to take this opportunity to share my final reflection on wins, losses and the road ahead.
From a White House task force to a program at the Obama Foundation, My Brother’s Keeper has catalyzed a national call to action dedicated to addressing the real need to expand opportunities to ensure an equitable future for our boys and their families. It was through our collective vision and tireless work that:
While I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished thus far, I recognize there is still a long road ahead of us and many learning lessons for us to lean into like:
Moving Forward
With these learnings in mind, in addition to the unprecedented needs that arose from the pandemic, we took some time as a team to recalibrate the priorities of our program—identifying these renewed commitments:
President Obama has always said there should be joy in this work. Joy when barriers are broken, when expectations are exceeded, and when dreams are fulfilled. I leave this role filled with joy and grateful for the chance to have worked alongside such an extraordinary group of devoted changemakers. I look forward to continuing to fight alongside you in a new arena; forever learning, growing, and working towards the day when all of our children can go as far as their dreams will take them.
- Michael Smith