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Hi there,  This spring, the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance sent eight young men from Newark and Chicago on the adventure of a lifetime in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  What started as a cultural exchange trip quickly shifted into a more resonant, transformative experience when our MBK Alliance participants connected with young men from Rio and exchanged life stories. Within those stories was a thread that connected them all though they grew up worlds apart: The nuances and opportunity gaps that exist for boys and young men of color.  Watch the story of their inspiring journey. Supported by the Prudential Foundation, and in collaboration with Centro de Promoção da Saúde (CEDAPS), this experience is reflective of the real, transformative opportunities made possible when we are intentional about exposing our young brothers to worlds outside of their own. Over the course of their seven-day trip, our participants immersed themselves in Brazilian culture, connected with local business people, and most of all, built lifelong bonds of brotherhood.  Anchored in the MBK Alliance’s fifth milestone: all youth out of school are employed, this trip was designed to unlock our young brothers’ access to institutions and people who can assist with shaping their futures.  I am ever-inspired by the courage our young men display when they lean into the unknown, explore uncharted pathways, and unlock higher levels of opportunity. We are grateful to you for being part of this work and look forward to what we’ll continue to do together in service of boys and young men of color.  In hope and faith,  —Adren Dr. Adren Wilson Vice President, Youth Opportunity Programs Executive Director, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance    ⓒ 2025 Obama Foundation