NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The City of New Rochelle and the City School District of New Rochelle unveiled a groundbreaking, communitywide Plan of Action in response to President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative on Monday, October 26 at New Rochelle High School’s Whitney M. Young Auditorium.A copy of the Action Plan, and an Executive Summary, is attached.My Brother’s Keeper New Rochelle also revealed their new website, designed by New Rochelle High School alumnus Devron Chambers.www.mbknewro.com
MBK New Rochelle- the first partnership of its kind in Westchester County- is a dynamic partnership between the City, City School District, community stakeholders and families. The group spans more than 100 local agencies and encompasses New Rochelle’s vast municipal, corporate, non-profit, community, and educational resources.
At the unveiling event, MBK co-chairs the Honorable Councilmember Jared Rice and Reggie Richardson, Principal at New Rochelle High School, introduced the Action Plan and detailed the strategic next steps to achieve the initiative’s goals to “Embrace, Engage, Empower” in six distinct categories:
1) All children enter school cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally prepared
2) All students are reading at grade level by third grade
3) All youth graduate from high school
4) All young people complete post-secondary education or vocational training
5) All youth out of school are employed
6) Ensure that all youth remain safe from violent crime and are afforded second chances in life
“This initiative is about making sure all of New Rochelle’s young people succeed, and for that we need our entire City,” said Councilman Jared Rice, co-chair of My Brother’s Keeper in New Rochelle. “For that reason it is so gratifying to see the outpouring of support at this event from students, families and our stakeholders. Together, we can have a positive impact on the lives of the upcoming generation, particularly Black and Hispanic or Latino boys and young men, many of whom can fall behind and will benefit tremendously from this initiative.”
“It’s really heartwarming to see this level of excitement and commitment for My Brother’s Keeper in the community,” said Reggie Richardson, Principal of New Rochelle High School and co-chair of MBK in New Rochelle. “We know that if we can support the students who need assistance and offer them the right opportunities, they will succeed. And that’s what My Brother’s Keeper is all about – making sure that all our students prosper, especially boys and young men of color. ”
There was a notable show of support for the initiative by the presence of a number of elected officials from New Rochelle, the NY State Senate and Assembly; and Sarah Reingold, Westchester Representative for United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand read a letter from the Senator.
The program was infused with local talent including a piano performance by NRHS student Michael Pena, the reading of an original poem by IEYMS student Felicity Drew-Flores and the “U-Knighted PRIDE” and “Vision Steppers” closed the evening with a rousing MBK-inspired routine.
In February 2014, President Barack Obama announced My Brother’s Keeper, urging communities across the country to band together to better support boys and young men of color. In April 2015 the City of New Rochelle and the City School District jointly accepted the challenge and hosted a Local Action Summit in June, attended by hundreds. The Action Plan, created through the collaboration of public and private agencies, not-for-profit organizations, parents, students, educators, advocates, and civic leaders, details how the entire city, from schools to houses of worship, businesses and institutions, and from household to household, can support these essential efforts.
Mayor Noam Bramson noted, “This My Brother’s Keeper initiative is a true partnership between the City of New Rochelle and the City School District, locking arms with thousands of residents and more than 120 local businesses, organizations and government. Together, let us ‘Embrace, Engage and Empower’ so all our young people can lead rewarding lives and achieve their dreams. Let us be our brothers’ keepers.”
“We are proud of the leadership team behind the My Brother’s Keeper initiative, led by New Rochelle High School Principal Reggie Richardson and Councilman Jared Rice,” notes Superintendent of Schools Brian Osborne. “The Steering Committee and Working Groups have accomplished so much since accepting President Obama’s Challenge in April. The Action Plan Report, website and social media platforms are impressive, and will help us kick-start this initiative and see some positive results on behalf of all of our students, particularly Black and Hispanic or Latino boys and young men.”