Dear Colleagues,
This Thursday, April 28, and Friday, April 29, 2022, the New York State Education Department will host the 2022 New York State My Brother's Keeper (MBK) Virtual Symposium. Hundreds of students, parents, educational leaders, and citizens from across New York State will virtually gather for the two-day symposium on the MBK initiative to help young men of color - and all students - realize their full potential.
Board of Regents Chancellor Dr. Lester W. Young, Jr. and State Education Commissioner Dr. Betty A. Rosa will deliver remarks during the April 28th Welcome Session. Keynote addresses will be delivered each day by nationally respected speakers. Board of Regents members expected to attend include Vice Chancellor Josephine V. Finn and Regents Christine D. Cea, Wade S. Norwood, Kathleen M. Cashin, James E. Cottrell, Elizabeth S. Hakanson, Luis O. Reyes, Frances G. Wills, Ruth B. Turner, and Aramina Vega Ferrer.
NYS MBK would not be possible without support from the state’s dedicated legislators. The program will include Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who will address attendees. Additionally, Senate Education Committee Chair Senator Shelley B. Mayer is expected to attend.
We are pleased to have David Banks, Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, the largest school system in the nation, as our keynote speaker on Thursday, April 28. Back by popular demand, Principal Baruti Kafele will join us as our keynote speaker on Friday, April 29 to share highly sought-after insights on school leadership and classroom equity. Lastly, we are fortunate to have some of the most prominent and respected names in education and youth development in attendance. In fact, there are too many to list! They will equip participants to meet the needs of our diverse student body here in New York State. This event will also include national experts in the field of human and child development, who have expertise in helping to actualize the full potential of boys and young men of color.
