The new leader, Dr. Jason Baez, brings extensive experience supporting young men of color to a community selected by the Obama Foundation for its achievements

YONKERS, NY (May 21, 2024)- Yonkers Public Schools today introduced Dr. Jason Baez as the Executive Director of its nationally recognized My Brother’s Keeper program, turning to an educator with a long track record of supporting young men of color.

Dr. Baez most recently served as Assistant Principal at Charles E. Gorton High School in Yonkers, where he led the school’s MBK chapter and initiated the school’s MBK Leadership Showcase Event. His career has been marked by a commitment to serving young men of color.

Dr. Baez’s transition into the role comes as new Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr. took the helm of the district earlier this month. Superintendent Soler also brings a deep dedication to serving young men of color; he was very involved in the MBK chapter in his previous school district and was honored by the Obama administration as a Latino educator serving as a Champion of Change.

“With the highest on-time graduation rate in the state, our My Brother’s Keeper program is a point of pride for Yonkers, and we’re excited to have Dr. Baez further our work of improving life outcomes for boys and young men of color,” Soler said. “This work is absolutely critical to the school district, the city, and, most significantly, the individuals that we are serving, and Dr. Baez and the MBK program have my full support.”

Before joining Yonkers Public Schools, Dr. Baez served as an Assistant Principal in New York City Public Schools, leading an MBK initiative that developed and promoted leadership, citizenship, scholarship, and character in young men of color. While as a teacher, he mentored early-career male teachers of color throughout NYC public schools while ensuring they succeed as teachers. He assisted multiple teachers in navigating the various aspects of their new careers. Dr. Baez strived to keep these educators in the classroom so students would have diverse role models, teachers, and mentors representing their schools.

As an Adjunct Professor at CUNY City College of New York and Monroe College, Dr. Baez prepares the next generation of teachers. His educational background includes an Ed.D. in Administration and Supervision from St. John's University, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from CUNY Hunter College, and a Master of Science in Students with Disabilities in Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education, both from CUNY City College of New York.

“My whole career has helped prepare me to lead My Brother’s Keeper in Yonkers,” Dr. Baez said. “I’m very aware of the success our district has had with young men of color graduating high school on time, and I’m focused on broadening that progress both earlier – so, for example, students are reading at grade level by third grade – and later – so graduates are finding jobs that allow them to support themselves and their families. I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

Yonkers Public Schools is a MBK Model Community, one of four selected by the Obama Foundation from across the country. Yonkers Public Schools was selected in recognition of its on-time graduation rate for young men of color, which is the highest in New York State.

As a Model Community, Yonkers receives additional support to help its students achieve six milestones that range from school readiness to post-graduate employment.