The brothers of Yonkers Middle High School’s MBK put their hearts into every detail of their May 5 Mother’s Day Breakfast.

They invited keynote speaker State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; they chose the table decorations (black table cloths with gold accents); they invited a few special women as surrogate moms to sit with brothers whose mothers couldn’t attend; and they selected the menu – scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes and French toast.

“I picked the French toast because she really likes it,” said 11th grader Nathan Collins, motioning to his mother Shannon.

“Through MBK, I’ve watched my young son blossom into a very strong young man who has more of a sense of direction and can mentor other young men,” Shannon Collins said. “I’m very pleased with the program.”

Developing thoughtful leadership is part of YMHS’ MBK program, which has 37 members in grades seven through 12, according to Assistant Principal Alexandria Connally, the group’s advisor.  

“I often tell my students they have greatness inside of them,” Ms. Connally said. “They can be great successes or they can be great failures. It is up to them to choose.”

Following this theme, the YMHS brothers visited the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, a Harlem-based branch of the New York Public Library on April 27. During their visit, students learned about the life of the late Arthur Schomburg, the venerated historian and collector of books on Black people, culture and history. In addition, students visited an exhibit about Black Power.

“We learned about Malcolm X and the Civil Rights movement,” said Nathan Collins, who was honored as YMHS MBK’s Leader of the Year at the breakfast.

Earlier in April, Nathan organized a financial literacy session with two Wells Fargo bank professionals who visited MBK brothers at YMHS.  Mortgage broker Irene Aponte and Michael Waite, a personal banker, shared with the students the importance of creating a budget, saving for college and managing credit. Students created a spending plan based on their allowance or part-time job pay. Ms. Aponte also explained the process and purpose of setting up a checking and saving account.

Jason Hutchins, a 10^th grader attending the Mother’s Day breakfast said he learned a lot from the visit including “how to start saving and how to get a credit card under 18.”

Jason’s mother, Marlene Hutchins, said MBK helped her son overcome shyness. “He seems more responsible and more willing and able to do anything.”

Ms. Hutchins, whose job as a nurse’s assistant often keeps her away from home, said she is grateful that her son has a positive group to spend time with and learn from after school.

“They help each other out. They need some form of guidance, especially in this society now,” she said.

During breakfast, Senator Stewart-Cousins walked among the brothers, explaining the importance of voting and sharing tales of perseverance – she lost her first Senate run by 18 votes. Disappointed but undeterred, she ran again and won.

Nearly all of the MBK brothers knew the origins of the My Brother’s Keeper movement and that it was launched by President Barak Obama.

Said Senator Stewart-Cousins, “Each of you is extending the legacy of the 44^th President. You are the keepers of the flame.”