The program My Brother’s Keeper, created by President Barack Obama, with a mission to help at risk boys of color achieve greatness, is making strides to change lives. April 14^th there was a National Action Network convention where Broderick Johnson talked about My Brother’s Keeper, the progress and the work that still needs to be done.

A harsh reality a lot of young men have to face in low income communities is gang violence and the poor education systems.

In a room of young men participating in the program, one young man from Liberty City, near Miami, was wearing a R.I.P. shirt with two kids’ faces on it. “One was his cousin, who was nine years old.

The other was his 13-year-old neighbor, who was shot and killed recently,” Johnson said. “When I asked the other 20 young men in the room if they knew someone who had been shot. We are ashamed to say this, but it’s not a shock, that everyone raised his hand.”

Although this was not shocking to anyone in the room, it speaks volumes. It speaks to the importance of programs like My Brother’s Keepers. Some people need the right opportunity put in front of them, some people just need someone to believe in them and others just need proper guidance. All of which MBK is working hard to provide for these teens.

Johnson saw hope in the eyes of the young men that can now tell you what colleges they plan on attending and the career path that is in their near future. This program is working to produce future doctors, lawyers, coders, and even some United States Presidents. It’s allowing these young men to understand that they do not have to become a product of their circumstances. Instead they can rise above and accomplish so much more.

Last month the President met with some heavy hitters in the entertainment industry; J Cole, Alicia Keys, and Busta Rhymes just to name a few. We are anxious to find out what they discussed and what they have planned to help with the My Brother’s Keeper initiative.