My Brother’s Keeper Gala Raises Double its Goal

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Anniversary Event Nets $60,000 to Support Youth

More than 500 students, parents, community leaders, business people and dignitaries packed the ballroom at Castle Royale on Sept. 27 to celebrate Yonkers My Brother’s Keeper’s second anniversary. The gala, which was MBK’s first fundraiser, raised $60,000 to support and create cradle-to-college and career programs that open doors to success for Yonkers’ young men of color.

Through tickets sales, sponsorships, journal advertising and in-kind donations, the event raised double the Gala Committee’s original goal of $30,000.

“Each dollar invested by these generous public and private MBK sponsors will create a ripple effect, improving the lives of Hispanic and African-American young people, their families and communities for generations to come,” said Yonkers Board of Education Trustee Edgar Santana, who was co-chairman of the Gala Committee, along with Gregory Joyner, Yonkers MBK program coordinator; and Euthimios Theotokatos, director of the Office of Constituent Services for the City of Yonkers.

The gala’s theme, “Building a Movement,” emphasized that My Brother’s Keeper is a dynamic initiative seeking to inspire lasting, widespread involvement.

“As we celebrate our magnificent young men, we are reminded that MBK is a life-changing movement, not just a moment of festivity,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Quezada, co-chairman of Yonkers MBK, along with the Rev. Dr. Jim Bostic, executive director of the Nepperhan Community Center.

The Rev. Steve Lopez, president of Yonkers Board of Education, added: “Yonkers is blessed to have leaders of one mind and one heart, working together to uplift all our children. We encourage everyone to support the movement by providing jobs, internships, or by sharing advice, experience and love as an MBK mentor.”

Hosted by emcee Joe Torres, WABC-TV anchor and host of “Tiempo,” the gala included the presentation of inaugural awards to five honorees: New York State Regent Lester Young Jr., who earned the Champion of Equity Award; Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, who earned the Leading the Way Award; the Yonkers Guardians Association, which earned the Defenders of the Dream Award; Gorton High School student Antonio Jones, who earned the Builder of the Future Award; and Palisade Preparatory School student Nuryel Benitez, who earned the Tomorrow’s Leader Today Award.

Distinguished guest speakers and performers included State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Democratic leader; Westchester County Executive George Latimer; Aldrin Rafael Bonilla, Manhattan deputy borough president; Frederick Joseph, philanthropist, creator and CEO of #BlackPantherChallenge; tap dancer and inspirational entertainer Josh Johnson; spoken word performance artist Kevin Saunders, founder of KS4Inspiration; and the Joey Berkley Quartet, sponsored by the Westchester Center for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

Shawn Dove, CEO of Campaign for Black Male Achievement; New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Dr. Betty Rosa; and many other luminaries attended to show their support.

“This year’s anniversary gala far exceeded anything I could have hoped for,” said the Rev. Dr. Jim Bostic. “It is the culmination of the hard work from every level of our community, from the mayor’s office to our superintendent and his staff, to our community leaders and, of course, those on my staff, as well, who have committed themselves to making a difference in the lives of our boys and young men of color.”

Since Yonkers joined the national My Brother’s Keeper movement Sept. 21, 2016, dozens of dynamic programs and events have been created in Yonkers schools and around the community to close persistent opportunity and achievement gaps facing young men of color. Yonkers MBK has elevated thousands of young people through these efforts