08/04/2026
Reflecting on last week’s My Brother’s Keeper Kick-Off, the energy and connection in the room illustrated the power of community.
Baseline surveys measured our young men’s initial sense of community belonging at 3.74 out of 5 upon arrival. Through structured peer and mentor engagement over the course of the event, guardians reported a +1.22 point increase, bringing the final sense of belonging score to 4.96 out of 5.
That reflection proves what happens when youth are surrounded by consistent, positive male leadership. The impact was clear: 100% of participating parents stated they would bring their child back for future MBK programming.
Our Gratitude
This work is only possible through collective action. Our sincere thanks to:
* Volunteers & Mentors: To the Notre Dame Football team, thank you for your presence, high energy, and genuine care for our boys.
* Collegiate Partners: Thank you to Princeton Athletics. We extend our deepest gratitude to Miles Smith Jr., Associate Director of Athletics for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, for his steadfast ambassadorship and advocacy. We also thank head men’s soccer coach Jim Barlow for his presence, support, and ongoing commitment to our youth and community.
* Hands-On Learning: Special thanks to the Rutgers 4-H Youth Development Club for donating the materials that made our competitive STEAM activity such a joyful, hands-on experience.
* Community Organizations: Gratitude to Visionary Philanthropy Group CEO Nyene Baker, Sankofa Educational Consulting’s Dr. Charisse Smith, Shane West at West Point Training, Isaiah Coleman with The Connected, Michael Alfaro and the Men’s Group at Christina Seix Academy, and the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Thank you for dedicating your time, effort, and leadership to build a shared vision for our young men.
* CSA Staff & Leadership: To our team at Christina Seix Academy, thank you for your relentless support and work behind the scenes to bring this vision to life.
07/15/2026