OBAMA's latest

 

Dear friend, In May 2021, we hosted the MBK Leadership Forum, a virtual gathering of MBK Communities that are making notable progress to reduce barriers and expand opportunity for boys and young men of color. Today, we’re excited to announce that the mainstage and breakout sessions from the two-day event are now available online for on-demand viewing.   The gathering, held on May 26-27, celebrated the program’s collective progress, centered racial equity as a core driver to meet MBK goals, highlighted best practices from communities with proven success, and introduced the new MBK Equity Framework. The Forum also featured a conversation with President Obama and youth and community leaders on the unprecedented activism that has taken place in the year following George Floyd's tragic murder.  Finally, when you visit the MBK Leadership Forum website, you’ll be able to hear from leading changemakers from across sectors who were featured in the following mainstage and breakout sessions: Changing the Narrative Centering Racial Equity in Data Strategies Building a Backbone Building Public Commitment and Engaging Diverse Stakeholders Mayoral Leadership Philanthropy in the Age of COVID-19 Lessons From Loíza: Unique Approaches & Perspectives For Supporting Boys and Young Men of Color Indigenous Intersections: Allyship with Tribal Communities We hope you will take a moment to be inspired by the dynamic conversations that took place at the MBK Leadership Forum, and learn more about the MBK Equity Framework. The MBK Equity Framework is a resource designed for any community looking to improve the lives of boys and young men of color and underserved youth. The Framework has been rigorously developed from the ground up in partnership with organizations on the frontlines of youth and community development.  If you are an MBK Community that wants to learn more about the MBK Equity Framework, sign up for one of our MBK University sessions below. If you’re interested in becoming an MBK Community or joining the MBK Alliance, click here. MBKU 101: Aligning Cross-sector Partnerships and Strategic Collaborations: Who should be at the table with you as you become an MBK Community?  June 19, 2021 2:00-3:30PM ET Register Here The MBK Community Challenge charges communities with laying the groundwork to launch a comprehensive plan and commitment to boys and young men of color in your community. The first step in answering the call to become an MBK Community is making a public declaration. The second step is confirming your MBK Community Stakeholder Roundtable. Steps 1 and 2 require cross-sector partnerships and strategic collaborations. Join us for this MBKU 101 course to engage in a workshop that will walk you through this strategic process--allowing you to walk away with a clear plan of action to complete Steps 1 and 2 of the MBK Community Challenge. You will also hear from Local MBK Communities who have successfully aligned cross-sector partnerships and strategic collaborations. MBKU 101: Conducting Your  Local Data and Policy Review  July 21, 2021 2:00-3:30PM ET Register Here The third step of the MBK Community Challenge focuses on conducting your local data and policy review. This requires your MBK Community Stakeholder Roundtable to scour local policies, programs, and metrics in search of ways to introduce or expand on existing efforts to better serve youth. Participants will engage in a data and policy review training and walkthrough with an MBK Community and additional data review expert--ultimately providing the strategy and tools to execute this review, and walk away with a clear plan of action to complete Step 3 of the MBK Community Challenge.  MBKU 101: Developing and Launching Your Local MBK Action Plan & Your Local Action Summit  July 23, 2021 2:00-3:00PM ET Register Here The fourth step of the MBK Community Challenge leads communities to develop and launch your MBK Community Local Action Plan. This plan will serve as a living, breathing document that guides work, is reported out on, and is assessed and evolved as necessary. Participants will gain additional insights and strategies to complete their local action plan, as well as hear directly from an MBK Community about their journey launching their plan and honoring the ongoing work post-summit. MBKU 201: MBK Equity Framework July 28, 2021 2:00-3:30PM ET Register Here This course will delve into the MBK Equity Framework with participants—providing a high-level overview of the vision and intention of the framework, eight elements of success, and the ongoing use of this tool. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in 2-3 breakout rooms where they can explore an element of success in each room with a community strongly leading this work. We look forward to being in community with you soon.  Best, —Michael Michael D. Smith  Executive Director, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance The Obama Foundation   Hosted in partnership with: