2021 My Brother's Keeper Symposium
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) hosted the 2021 New York State My Brother’s Keeper Symposium on April 29-30, 2021. Hundreds of students, parents, educational leaders, advocates, and experts from across the nation came together virtually for the fourth symposium on My Brother’s Keeper, the initiative to help boys and young men of color—and all students—realize their full potential. The event featured nationally renowned guest speakers and student and educator panels.
NYSED also named the fourth class of the My Brother's Keeper (MBK) Fellows. The MBK Fellows will be provided with mentor relationship opportunities in government, education and business.
President Obama shares personal remarks with our New York State My Brother's Keeper students and communities.
In this video, NYS Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., NYSED Commissioner Betty A. Rosa, and NYSED Assistant Commissioner Anael Alston welcomed attendees to Day 1 of the 2021 NYS MBK Symposium.
Mr. Rashaun Banjo moderated this session in which participants heard firsthand the power of partnership, brotherhood, mentorship, and community service directly from the students who have been deeply involved in the My Brother’s Keeper movement.
In this session, Dr. Jackson showed educators how to focus on students’ strengths to inspire learning and high intellectual performance. She addressed myths regarding student achievement and provided practical approaches to revitalize educators’ belief in their ability to inspire the vast capacity of their students in a virtual classroom setting.
In this session, Dr. Wyatt used powerful lessons, imagery, and insights from his latest book, Beware the Mind Hustler: Identifying Self-Destructive Thoughts and Distractions, combined with stories from over three decades of youth and adult development to empower and inspire participants to use positive thoughts and will power to drive their success.
This session includes three distinct opportunities for the college bound student who needs additional support, has a desire to be a leader and role model, and/or wants to become a teacher. From Brooklyn to Buffalo, SUNY EOP, Teacher Opportunity Corps II, and the City University of New York’s Black Male Initiative have a message of opportunity that young people need to hear.
In this session, Dr. Muhammad clearly defined culture, equity, anti-racism, and Culturally and Historically Responsive Education (CHRE) to help educators understand the concept of culture more deeply and engage in self-identity work. The facilitator also introduced educators to the CHRE model of culturally and historically responsive education and the power of education among communities of color in the United States. The session ended with practical considerations for writing equitable lesson and unit plans and engaging others.
Oftentimes, the difference between the desire to live one’s best life and living one’s best life is understanding and mastery of the strategies to get “from Point A to Point B” in life. In this session, Principal Kafele provided participants with several critical self-reflective questions to consider toward developing a plan of action for living.
Dr. Anael Alston, Assistant Commissioner for NYSED's Office of Access, Equity, and Community Engagement, and NYSED staff summarize the breakout sessions from Day 1 of the 2021 NYS MBK Symposium.
In this video, Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr., Commissioner Betty A. Rosa, and NYSED Assistant Commissioner Anael Alston welcomed attendees to Day 2 of the 2021 NYS MBK Symposium. The program also included keynote speaker Michael Bentt and an “Ask a Mentor” session.
In this workshop, participants explored the following with Dr. Souto-Manning: the whys and hows of interrupting microaggressions (a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority); fostering microaffirmations, (providing opportunity, acts of inclusion and acceptance, and intentional acts of active listening); and teaching in the pursuit of justice in early childhood and elementary settings.
Over the past few years, we have seen a global uptick of engagement in online spaces that has informed how the field of education approaches teaching and learning. Due to COVID-19, more educators are now expanding their instructional strategies to engage in online learning. Given this context, Dr. Price-Dennis’s presentation explored perspectives, tools, and practices that can inform culturally responsive and equity-oriented approaches to online teaching and learning.
In this workshop, Dr. Rux provided participants with first-hand experience regarding the benefits of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Additionally, participants gained a further understanding of the importance and significance of the HBCU experience and how that experience has prepared and shaped the identity of some of our nation’s most influential leaders.
In this message to MBK students, Principal Baruti Kafele shared his personal definition of success – “The ability to live one’s own life on one’s own terms.” He shared strategies for young men to turn this definition into their reality while simultaneously discussing the young men’s responsibilities for pulling up others along their journey.
In this session, nationally recognized leaders, Dr. Edwin Quezada and Dr. Jim Bostic of Yonkers MBK. shared the key partnerships, strategies, and systems they have worked on over the years to create a culture of growth, development, and student success in the Yonkers community. They also shared the key structure, the Yonkers MBK Umbrella, which serves as the driving force to leverage community assets.
Dr. Anael Alston, Assistant Commissioner for NYSED's Office of Access, Equity, and Community Engagement, and NYSED staff summarize the breakout sessions from Day 2 of the 2021 NYS MBK Symposium.