My Brother’s Keeper Alliance celebrates 10 years of making a difference for Black youth
One decade ago, President Obama created the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, urging the nation to address persistent opportunity gaps often faced by boys and young men of color to ensure they reach their full potential. The program began in response to Trayvon Martin's tragic death, driven by President Obama’s strong commitment to create a solution for protecting and supporting boys and young men of color.
A program of the Obama Foundation since 2017, the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance spearheads the next chapter of the national call to action, uniting various sectors to create safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color and provide clear pathways to opportunity. Focused on achieving impact across the six MBK Milestones, the Alliance has supported local leaders in our network of more than 100 MBK Communities, reaching thousands of young men of color from Chicago to Omaha.
Take a look back at some of the moments from our decade of impact, and follow along as we continue this important work.
Fostering Brighter Futures for Boys and Young Men of Color

President Obama walks with mentees on the South Lawn of the White House on October 14, 2014.

President Obama delivers remarks at an event to highlight "My Brother's Keeper," an initiative to expand opportunity for boys and young men of color, in the East Room of the White House on February 27, 2014.
“...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.” —President Obama, 2014

President Barack Obama gives remarks on the Trayvon Martin verdict in the James Brady Press Briefing Room.

President Obama hosts a discussion with Ron Brown College Preparatory High School students.

President Obama greets Clark Reynolds at a reception celebrating African American History Month in the East Room of the White House in 2016.
“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.” —President Obama, 2014

President Obama speaks to mentees on a basketball court.
“We were having a financial aid workshop for our mentees in the Roosevelt Room, and President Obama stopped by to surprise the young men. One of them joked with the President that he should play them in basketball one day. The President shocked them by saying, “Let’s play now!” We then walked to the White House basketball court where President Obama spent well over an hour playing HORSE and sharing life lessons with these young men.” — Broderick Johnson, Former White House Cabinet Secretary & Chair, MBK Alliance Advisory Council

President Obama smiles at a young boy.
Sparking Hope and Joy in the Next Generation
Our mission is to establish safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color, ensuring they feel valued and have clear pathways to success. Through the Freedom Summer grant program, we provided support to local organizations dedicated to reducing violence in Chicago and communities across the country. The initiative focused on creating and expanding spaces and programming where boys and young men of color can safely learn, play, and engage.
A young man poses in front of a South Shore Drill Team mural.

My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Freedom Summer 2023 grant recipient, Chicago Maritime Arts Center, works with young people to offer training in water safety, small boat handling, and introduce them to careers in maritime.

A young boy watches President Obama from the crowd.

On the first anniversary of the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, President Barack Obama has lunch with participants in the White House Mentorship and Leadership Program in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House on February 27, 2015.

“The moment of sitting next to President Obama was a lesson that he taught me that was unspoken, but understood. If he would’ve said what I felt, and I believe we all felt, it would have gone something like this: “You matter. You as a black male matter. To all of you sitting around this table, you matter. Every male of color in this country matters.” - Jerron Hawkins, White House Mentee
Developing Clear Pathways to Success

Male students listen to instruction at the Black Family Development in Detroit, Michigan.

“President Obama gave me that calming affirmation you look for in your family. The type of understanding you covet from a mentor, father, or uncle in your family. President Obama illustrated to me that my past tribulations would be my launching pad for the future. As the first person to graduate from college in my family, MBK gave me the resources, wisdom, and foresight to be a leader in my community. I am a better man today because of the love and mentorship of My Brother’s Keeper.” - Noah McQueen, Washington, D.C.

“I know there has to be something I can do to help. I can ask if they're okay or if they're being treated unfairly. If I see a boy who is lonely, I could ask to be their friend to be there for them and help them avoid depression. Small things add up, after all.” - Dylan Dennis, Demarest, New Jersey

President Obama grabs lunch with MBK mentees.

A mentor ties the tie of a mentee.
“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.” –President Obama, 2014

My Brother’s Keeper Alliance hosted its first national convening, MBK Rising! in Oakland, California on February 20, 2019.

A mural of a young Black boy at MBK Rising!

“How I carry myself, how I speak, how I interact with folks can make a huge difference – whether it is five seconds, ten minutes, or an hour. We all have the opportunity to shape someone’s perspective and that one moment can be a huge difference for a lifetime.” – Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry’s at MBK Rising!, 2019

President Barack Obama meets with students prior to a My Brother's Keeper initiative town hall hosted by ESPN at North Carolina A&T State University in 2016.

“I don't let anyone judge who I am, especially if they don't know me. I'm proud to be half Filipino and half Liberian, and I know I'm special in my own ways. I'm a little sister, and I am my big brother Dylan's keeper.” -Dani Dennis, Demarest, New Jersey
“I am bettering my community for boys and young men of color by providing a sense of fun, unity, and love through the work I do. I want to create a safe space for them and help them understand that love is vital because it's the one force that can heal all pain and save lives.” -Emanuel Milton, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
“Being from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe located in North Dakota, I am bettering my community for boys and young men of color by giving tools and opportunities to younger generations who will become the leaders of tomorrow.” -Kendrick Eagle, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, North Dakota
“Washtenaw County, Michigan is my community, and I am bettering it for the boys and young men of color by providing the support they need, so that they can achieve their goals and recognize their potential. I've extended every opportunity I've gotten to them because I believe that they are worthy and capable of anything that comes their way.” -Daquann Harrison, Ypsilanti, Michigan

MBK Alliance hosts a virtual Town Hall featuring Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education.
Promoting Equity and Responsibility

President Obama speaks to an audience about My Brother’s Keeper

Ron Brown College Preparatory High School students visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C.

President Barack Obama and Rep. John Lewis host a discussion with Ron Brown College Preparatory High School students.
Christian Champagne, an alum of our National Impact Community partner, Youth Guidance and their Becoming a Man (BAM) program in Chicago, “My Brother’s Keeper means you look out for the next man or the people that are under you.” — Christian Champagne

In June 2020, President Obama and the MBK Alliance challenged mayors and city leaders to amplify their communities’ calls for policing reform and accountability. Over 330 communities—representing 13+ million Black people and including all of the 10 most populous U.S. cities—took our pledge to reimagine policing and redefine public safety.

The Reimagining Policing Pledge is a call for mayors and local officials to review and reform use of force policies, redefine public safety, and combat systemic racism within law enforcement. In March 2021, we released the Reimagine Policing: Progress to Date report documenting the pledge’s inspiration, sharing highlights of the participating cities’ progress, and offering next steps for building on the momentum of the pledge.

Through our COVID-19 Town Hall Series, , in collaboration with Lyft and other collaborators, and our increased investments in our Seed and Impact Communities, the Alliance effectively supported our communities. This assistance facilitated their ongoing efforts to reduce barriers and enhance opportunities for boys and young men of color and their families during a period of unprecedented uncertainty.
Positively Shifting Outcomes

President Obama made a surprise visit at , a Chicago nonprofit that exposes youth in underserved communities to music and mentorship. He spent time with mentors and mentees from the program to learn the impact of being a My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Freedom Summer 2022 grant recipient and he even listened to the students' freestyles and beats.

Students participate in a workshop at BUILD, Inc. Chicago.



To kickoff MBK Rising!, a national convening hosted by the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, participants attend a Day of Service at MLK Elementary School in Oakland, CA on February 18, 2019.


MBK Participants learn the fundamentals of gardening as part of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Culinary Careers Accelerator (Opens in a new tab) at Martha’s Vineyard.



As part of a job shadowing experience with Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, MBK Alliance participants attend the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Final Four Tournament held in Houston, Texas.

Young boys create posters at Black Family Development in Detroit, Michigan. The Black Family Development were selected as a National Impact Community as part of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance Community Competition.
Newark, New Jersey was named one of four My Brother's Keeper Model Communities, an initiative that seeks to expand the implementation of evidence-based practices and impact for communities across the country. Newark, which experienced a 55 percent down tick in homicides in 2022 as compared to 2013, was recognized for their demonstrated impact in MBK’s sixth milestone: Remaining Safe from Violent Crime.
“We take data from the Newark Public Safety Collaborative and we analyze auto theft and violence that goes on in our community. With that data, we try to come up with solutions so we can help solve all the things that go on with crime in our community.” -Michael Williams, MBK Newark

President Obama alongside young leaders from across the nation gathered at MBK Rising! in Oakland in February 2019.


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