My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Newark, an initiative of Newark Opportunity Youth Network (NOYN), met with representatives from MBK Yonkers to share best practices on the key life milestones that are improving outcomes for boys and young men of color in their respective communities.The Obama Foundation identified both programs as national leaders for their exceptional progress supporting young men of color.

Since its inception as a White House Task Force in 2014, My Brother’s Keeper has been a beacon of hope and change, inspired by the vision set out by President Obama and fueled by the dedication of communities like ours. Through evidence-based programs and community engagement, MBK has addressed systemic challenges and empowered young people to reach their full potential. MBK Newark and MBK Yonkers are part of the extensive network of over 100 MBK communities across the nation creating pathways to opportunity for boys and young men of color.

“MBK Newark appreciated the opportunity to meet with the MBK Yonkers team so we could share our efforts to reduce violence in our city and learn about successful efforts in Yonkers to increase the graduation rate,” said Robert Clark, Founder & CEO, Newark Opportunity Youth Network.

“MBK Newark looks forward to incorporating what we learned from MBK Yonkers into our programming and initiatives that are aimed at giving more young people an opportunity to receive a quality education and ensure our youth are college and career ready,” said Mark Comesañas, Executive Director of MBK Newark. 

In 2023, Newark and Yonkers were two of four cities nationwide to be designated as a My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Model Community. Each selected MBK Model Community has achieved significant impact in at least one of the six MBK Milestones by instituting programming and initiatives that have positively shifted outcomes in the educational or violence reduction ecosystems throughout their municipal areas. Research has shown that the MBK Milestones are predictive of later success and are moments within a young person’s life where interventions can have the greatest impact. Newark was chosen for demonstrating impact in MBK Milestone Six: Remaining Safe from Violent Crime. The city’s efforts to reduce violence resulted in homicides being cut by more than half, representing a 60-year low in the city. 

“When it comes to improving outcomes for young men of color, Yonkers is a leader in New York State, and Newark is a leader in New Jersey, so collaborating improves both communities,” said Dr. Jason Baez, Executive Director of MBK Yonkers. “We’re eager to take back the lessons learned from our visit and continue to make progress in Yonkers, specifically on Milestone Six and on all of the other factors that contribute to keeping our students safe and in position to succeed.”

In 2023, MBK Yonkers was recognized as a MBK Model Community for demonstrating impact in MBK Milestone Three: Graduate High School – Every American child should be college and career ready. MBK Yonkers is part of Yonkers School District, which has the highest four-year graduation rate in New York State for young men of color. One program that was highlighted during the discussion was the Newark Community Street Team’s (NCST) Safe Passage Program, which places outreach workers at high-risk locations in Newark’s South and West Wards schools to help ensure students get to and from school safely.

“In Newark, we are making progress toward improving our high school graduation rate. We continue making positive steps forward, and that is why I was thrilled to meet with the Yonkers School District Superintendent so we could share best practices about how to close the opportunity gap,” said Roger León, Superintendent of Newark Public Schools. “I am excited to build upon our efforts and continue executing on our Next Decade Strategic Plan that will help improve educational outcomes for our young people.”

“Collaborating with a fellow MBK model community, MBK Newark, exemplifies the transformative power of unity and a shared commitment to our boys and young men of color,” said Aníbal Soler, Jr., Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools. “Despite being separated by a river, together we are demonstrating that when communities unite to empower and uplift boys and young men of color, the potential for success is limitless. I am deeply inspired by the impactful work being done in Newark and Yonkers, and I remain steadfast in my commitment to ensuring that every young man of color in Yonkers has the support and opportunities needed to thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Thank you to Superintendent León and the entire MBK Newark team for leading with vision, and purpose. Together, we are My Brother’s Keeper.” 

As a program of the Obama Foundation, the MBK network has empowered MBK Newark and MBK Yonkers to be at the forefront of driving positive change locally by implementing initiatives aimed at ensuring every child enters school prepared to learn, achieves academic success, and has access to post-secondary education and employment opportunities. Through education programs, job training initiatives, and community partnerships, MBK Newark and MBK Yonkers are working tirelessly to uplift our youth and provide them with the support they need to succeed.