District Makes Move to Support Males of Color

POUGHKEEPSIE – In response to the challenges that males of color face in communities throughout the country and how many are unable to navigate around these challenges, the Poughkeepsie City School District will host a My Brother’s Keeper meeting for men interested in the positive youth development of our community’s males of color.

In light of what has been transpiring locally, the district’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative is being restructured to have a greater impact on the outcomes of males of color in our community. Led by Mr. Da’Ron Wilson, executive director of school engagement, the goal is to support Poughkeepsie City School District males of color by increasing academic, social emotional and wellness, leadership, and youth development opportunities that will prepare our males of color for success in school and beyond (College-Career-Life).

PCSD is asking every male interested in supporting our community’s males of color to join us for a meeting to:

*Establish a collective vision for how we will support our community’s males of color

*Identify strategies and solutions that members of the community can participate in to support the academic, social, emotional, and wellness of our community’s males of color

*Identify key stakeholders and opportunities that will support our collective vision

*Demonstrate to the community through symbolic promulgation that a community of men exist who are focused on the positive outcomes for young men of color in Poughkeepsie

“As we embark on forging our MBK Community in Poughkeepsie we have a great opportunity for the men in our community to come together to help support and empower our students,” Wilson said. “Students will be able to see individuals that came before them, walked in the same steps and overcame obstacles in life to become successful.”

The meeting will take place from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Poughkeepsie High School.

PCSD is committed to continue to collaboratively work with community members and organizations to strategically develop and create systems and supports, greater opportunities and access, and innovative solutions that will lead to success in school and beyond for boys and young men of color.