DAYTON, OH – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined the Chair of the White House My Brother’s Keeper Task Force in highlighting a local initiative to help prepare students for college and career readiness. During a press conference at Dayton Boys Preparatory Academy today, Brown joined Broderick Johnson, Chair of the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force; Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley; and a student at the school who is involved in the mentoring program.

 

“Whether you grew up in Dayton or Toledo or Appalachia, a city, suburb, or small town – your zip code often determines whether you have access to quality health care, a good education, and the social support necessary to succeed,” Brown said. “But too often, it is African American boys growing up in the zip codes with the least amount of opportunity. That’s why the work My Brother’s Keeper is doing is so important. And it’s why I’m working to support this work at the federal level.”

 

“The Dayton community, through the City of Learners Task Force, has identified a great need for mentoring relationships for our youth,” said Mayor Whaley. “The My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, with the leaderships of Commissioner Mims, has allowed us to create a focused program for young, African American men. We are thankful for the partnership of Dayton Public Schools and will continue to expand this program to as many students as possible.”

 

The My Brother’s Keeper Initiative program in Dayton works to connect students with community leaders through mentoring relationships and educational events. This program is aligned with one milestone of the White House’s My Brother’s Keeper Task Force to ensure that all youth receive a quality high school education and graduate with the skills and tools needed to advance to post-secondary education or training. Dayton is one of more than 200 communities nationwide that has accepted President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge, which encourages cities, counties, and tribal nations to implement a coherent cradle-to-college-and-career strategy for improving the life outcomes of all young people.

 

Later this evening, Brown and Johnson will participate in a program at Columbus State Community College, where Columbus will launch its My Brother’s Keeper Community Challenge Local Action Plan.