President Obama set to unveil ‘My Brother’s Keeper’ initiative for men of color
President Obama will formally launch a new initiative to provide greater opportunities for young men of color in the country.
The “My Brother’s Keeper” initiative is meant to address the racial economic disparities faced by black and Latino males.
The White House is partnering with businesses, nonprofits and foundations to address disparities in education, criminal justice and employment. Groups have invested $150 million in the program, according to the White House, and have pledged to invest another $200 million over the next five years. Obama will also sign an order Thursday to establish the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force, which will determine best practices both inside and outside of government to address the challenges faced by young minority men.
Both the President and the First Lady plan to work on the initiative even after their departure from the White House.
“My Brother’s Keeper” is the latest in a series of incremental steps taken by the Obama administration to combat racial disparities in public policy. Last February, Obama met with a group of young men at Chicago’s Hyde Park Career Academy who were a part of the “Becoming a Man” program within the school.
While he spent most of his first term avoiding the issue of race, the President has spent his second term addressing the issue. He spoke out after the George Zimmerman trial, and the Justice and Education departments have looked to curb disparities in drug sentencing and school discipline.
What do you think of President Obama’s attention to disparities faced by men of color in his second term?
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