MBK-Obama Leadership Academy Honors Young Men with Pinning Ceremony

Participants in the MBK-Obama Leadership Academy (Photos Courtesy of MBK Leadership Academy). For six weeks this summer, young men of color in Chicago embarked on a unique program that fostered academic enrichment, community service and social-emotional learning.& The Chicago Public Schools and the Obama Foundation have joined forces to establish the MBK-Obama Leadership Academy. Under the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, this program aims to provide mentorship and practical experiences for first-year students at three South Side high schools: Chicago Vocational Career Academy, Dyett High School and Hyde Park Academy. “We’re grateful to My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and everyone who helped create a safe and nurturing environment for these young men,” declared CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “I’m particularly excited about the plan for these students to continue their journey together over the next four years. This sense of community and support will undoubtedly make a positive impact.” This summer, the Academy fused CPS’s Freshman Connection curriculum with unique opportunities like site visits to local businesses, college tours, workshops and cultural excursions. Rooted in the mission of My Brother’s Keeper to ensure high school graduation, the program equips young men of color with vital tools and support. Successful participants earn 15 of...