U.S. Conference Of Mayors Survey Shows My Brothers Keepers Efforts Underway In Cities SACRAMENTO, Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Under the leadership of USCM President Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, the nations mayors today released the findings of a survey on mayors efforts to promote and implement the goals of President Obamas My Brothers Keeper Initiative. The survey report compiles information provided by 15 cities whose mayors are on the Conferences My Brothers Keeper Task Force. It was released during the groups Fall Leadership Meeting in Sacramento, which brought together a bipartisan delegation of mayors from across the country to discuss the organizations policy priorities for the next year. A summary of the findings was presented by Task Force Co-Chair Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who, along with Birmingham Mayor William Bell, was tapped by President Johnson to lead the Task Force after establishing the subgroup within the organization this past June. It is clear that opportunity has lagged behind for young men of color in this country. Thats why President Obama launched the My Brothers Keeper initiative earlier this year. He issued a strong call to action to Americas leaders to help provide young men of color with the skills they need to reach their full potential, said USCM President Johnson during the meeting. I am proud that the nations mayors have responded to the Presidents call and have already been acting in communities across the country to change the long-term outlook for many of our young people. Task Force Co-Chair Philadelphia, PA Mayor Nutter said, As an African American male who grew up in Philadelphia, I am intimately familiar with the challenges that young men of color experience during the course of their lives. I know this initiative has the potential to completely change the direction of many lives that may be headed down a less-desirable path, which is why I am so pleased to serve as the Co-Chair of our mayoral effort to support it. Birmingham, AL Mayor William Bell, who also serves as a Task Force Co-Chair but was not in Sacramento, said, I have experienced first-hand the power that young people have to change the world. It is our privilege to serve our youth this way and also lend a hand to President Obamas effort. USCM Vice President Baltimore, MD Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said, I am encouraged to share how we are working in the City of Baltimore to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable youth. While our efforts are broad and range from ensuring the neediest kids are enrolled in pre-K, to expanding summer programs to reach more of the most vulnerable, to creating work-based learning opportunities and internships for disconnected youth, everything is focused on the same outcome – making sure that young people have the opportunity to succeed and give back to the community that nurtured them. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has had a tradition of involvement in key national issues that have grown into pivotal movements over the years, said USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran. We know the My Brothers Keeper Initiative will prove the same and we will do all that we can to make it a success.
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 01:12:00 +0000