Press Releases

Miami, FL – Today, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) will travel to Lehman College in the Bronx, New York for the launch of the "My Brother's Keeper Alliance" ("MBK Alliance"), an independent private sector effort, whose mission is to eliminate gaps in opportunity and achievement for boys and young men of color through strategic, evidence-based interventions from community, private, and social enterprise partners. Congresswoman Wilson will serve on the new MBK Alliance advisory council, comprised of a diverse group of leaders, including CEOs from Fortune 50 companies, celebrities, non-profit executives, and current and former government officials. President Obama will give remarks during today's event and participate in a roundtable discussion with young men from New York and across the country. Congresswoman Wilson, founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, an in school drop-out prevention/mentorship program for at risk young men of color, released the following statement:

"I am honored to serve on the advisory council of the new My Brother's Keeper Alliance. I have no doubt that this coalition of leaders and organizations, tasked with removing obstacles and opening avenues for boys and men of color, will make a generational difference.

"As the founder of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, I know first-hand the transformative power of mentorship and intervention programs geared toward at-risk minority boys. Thousands of boys who have participated in the 5000 Role Models program have gone on to get a college degree and become productive citizens of society as doctors, lawyers, educators, entrepreneurs, and elected officials.

"There is an African proverb that says, "It takes a village to raise a child." We are all a part of that village and we all have a responsibility to ensure that minority boys and young men are given an opportunity to succeed," said Congresswoman Wilson."

In February 2014, the President launched the My Brother's Keeper Initiative to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color and ensure all youth can reach their full potential. Congresswoman Wilson is the founder and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus' My Brother's Keeper Taskforce.

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Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson is a third-term Congresswoman from Florida representing parts of Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward counties. A former state legislator and school principal, she is the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school. Congresswoman Wilson also founded the Florida Ports Caucus, a bipartisan taskforce that coordinates federal action in support of Florida's harbors and waterways.