DAYTON, OH – In case you missed it, WDTN TV in Dayton yesterday highlighted the continued expansion of the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Program in Ohio. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) helped launch the statewide coalition of MBK in Columbus in 2018 and has been actively involved with the 13 MBK OH chapters currently operating in the state.

Brown was joined on a news conference call yesterday by Marsha Mockabee, Co-Chair of the Greater Cleveland MBK program, and Kevin Clayton, Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they announced their partnership to engage with northeast Ohio students and address the opportunity gap facing young men of color. Rev. Stanley Miller, Co-Chair of the Greater Cleveland MBK, also joined the call.  

“These kinds of partnerships are really what MBK is all about – it’s showing more Black and brown kids that there is a whole network of people who want to help you achieve your dreams – whatever they may be. And that those dreams matter, and you should never have to limit them,” said Brown. “When we say Black Lives Matter, this is really a part of that –Black businesses matter, Black careers matter, Black dreams matter.”

In October, Brown also announced a new partnership with the Cincinnati Reds, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and MBK Ohio to provide new virtual programming for students.

The 13 MBK Ohio Chapters currently operating each have their own unique focus and provide weekly instruction and programming for students. Senator Brown’s office, in conjunction with Ohio State University, is collaborating to supplement this programming and provide enriching opportunities for students to gain exposure to various career opportunities as well as empowerment and advocacy tools.   

My Brother’s Keeper was started by President Obama as a national initiative to address the opportunity gaps facing young men of color, and to ensure that all young people reach their full potential.

More information on the MBK Ohio Program is available here. 

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