Group photo of attendees and MBK Fellows
Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr., left, and My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Yonkers Executive Director Dr. Jason Baez, presenting at MBK Symposium
MBK Yonkers Shares Strategies at Annual State Education Event
Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Aníbal Soler, Jr. and My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Yonkers Executive Director Dr. Jason Baez presented on May 1 at the annual New York State My Brother’s Keeper Symposium in Albany. Hosted by the New York State Education Department, the symposium brings together MBK Fellows — rising 12th-grade high school students, with opportunities to gain authentic leadership experiences and develop service projects beneficial to the schools they attend and the communities they live in — educators, and leaders from across the state to celebrate success, share best practices, and strengthen the MBK network.
The symposium also marked the official launch of a new cohort of MBK Fellows, with the 2025 class recognized at this year’s event. Over the course of a day, attendees participated in student and adult workshops, heard from motivational keynote speakers, and connected with peers to exchange ideas and build community.
Superintendent Soler and Dr. Baez were invited to lead a 90-minute workshop titled “MBK Yonkers: Yonkers Magic, How We Bring Out Their Highest Potential.” The session highlighted MBK Yonkers’ strategies for improving outcomes for young men of color, including restorative practices, social-emotional learning, and alternatives to suspension.
“We were honored to share our experiences and connect with other MBK communities,” said Dr. Baez. “The symposium is a powerful reminder of the importance of this work and the commitment of New York State to supporting our young men.”
The response to the Yonkers presentation was overwhelmingly positive. Educators from across the state expressed interest in learning more about the district’s data-driven approach to supporting students. One educator from Chicago said, “I learned so much — I want to go back and hit the ground running.”
“In Yonkers, we believe in unlocking the highest potential within each of our young men. Our partnership with MBK Yonkers reflects our deep commitment to their success,” said Superintendent Soler.
Students from Yonkers and across New York State participated in sessions including College Application Insights, Media Literacy Matters, and Are We There Yet?, a workshop led by MBK alumni on navigating life after high school. Keynote speakers Jordan Pierre, a Brooklyn-born journalist and youth activist, and Brian Favors, an educator and co-founder of Breaking the Cycle Consulting, delivered motivational messages about identity, leadership, and perception — messages that resonated deeply with the Fellows.
“They were like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this. This is great information to apply.’ That’s what it means to walk away with new knowledge,” Baez said.
This year’s symposium also featured remarks from New York State education leaders and an appearance by Dr. Adren Wilson from the Obama Foundation, who met each Fellow on stage and stayed for the full event — a powerful symbol of national support.
“Truthfully, just seeing Dr. Wilson there meant a lot. New York is the only state with an MBK program that actually funds schools. That doesn’t exist anywhere else,” Baez said.
More than 50 MBK chapters across the state were represented — a record-high that reflects the growing momentum of the initiative statewide.
From powerful workshops to keynote messages to statewide collaboration, the symposium reinforced New York’s commitment to uplifting young men of color — and spotlighted Yonkers as a leading example of what’s possible.
My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Yonkers empowers young men of color by providing mentorship, educational support, and leadership opportunities. In partnership with Yonkers Public Schools and local organizations, MBK Yonkers has helped the district achieve the highest on-time graduation rate for young men of color in New York State. This commitment has earned MBK Yonkers the distinction of being one of only four MBK Model Communities nationwide recognized by the Obama Foundation.
MBK Yonkers helps students reach six key milestones from early education to career readiness. Through its MBK Fellows and mentorship programs, MBK Yonkers fosters equity and opportunity, ensuring all young people can succeed.
For more information, visit yonkerspublicschools.org/mbk.
