Many of you will not be satisfied with anything President Obama does, but today marks a special day because he is finally using his position as President to do something for the black community.  I know you are thinking this is too little too late, but it is a great step in my opinion in the right direction.

Sure, it won’t help or effect the entire community, but those it does reach might have their lives changed forever.

With Obama growing up as a young black male, then working on the Southside of Chicago, everyone knows he understands the plight of the black community. He has lived a portion of it and worked among it as a community organizer in Chicago. He is well aware of the difficulties and uphill battles black people and young black males face everyday in this country.

Today marks the start of Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative and thus far, things look and sound great.

From ABC News / Associated Press

Joined at the White House by young men of color, Obama on Thursday was calling on America’s businesses, philanthropists and government leaders to join forces to put more boys on a path toward successful lives. Foundations were to announce pledges to spend at least $200 million over five years to promote that goal as Obama launches his “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative.

Those organizations, which include prominent groups like the Ford Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will seek to coordinate their investments to create and bolster programs that keep youths in school and out of the criminal justice system, while improving their access to higher education. The White House said it expects money for those programs to grow “exponentially” as major businesses start to pitch in.

Obama will also sign a presidential memorandum creating a government-wide task force to evaluate the effectiveness of various approaches, so that federal and local governments, community groups and businesses will have best practices to follow in the future.

An online “What Works” portal will provide public access to data about programs that improve outcomes for young minority men.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/obama-plan-aims-improve-odds-minority-boys-22694216

It is good to hear Obama talk about making this his life long work. Something he will spend the rest of his life and influence helping to solve while creating opportunities for young, black males.

We know Presidents can be very influential in drawing attention, money, and opportunities to causes they champion post Presidency.

Hopefully, Obama will be very successful in this endeavor as well.

What are your thoughts on Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative?