DeKalb County School District’s MOSAIC Summer Learning Program is off to a great start with students engaging in several programs offered this summer.

One of those programs is the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) Summer Program, which kicked off on June 28. The program is designed for current fifth through ninth grade students who are enrolled at an MBK Early Adopter School and participating in the MBK Program at their local school.

The MBK Summer Program allows DCSD young men and boys of color to become independent and self-confident, while socializing and making new friends, and learning new skills. The week features book discussions, etiquette activities, guest speakers, a field trip to Georgia Tech and more.

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) kicked off the re-launch of its My Brother’s Keeper Program in November 2020. Former President Barack Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper in February 2014 to address persistent opportunity gaps facing boys and young men of color and to ensure all youth can reach their full potential. In 2015, the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance) was launched, inspired by My Brother’s Keeper, to scale and sustain this mission.

The mission of DCSD’s My Brother’s Keeper Program is to ensure student success by supporting academic achievement, service and mentorship for young men of color as they become productive citizens of this global society who will continuously give back to their community. The core values of the program are accountability, integrity, leadership, relationships, respect, pride and service.

“We are very proud to bring the MBK Alliance to DeKalb to support our boys and young men of color in achieving their goals and closing the opportunity gap,” Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris said. “The MBK Pre-Work Committee has worked diligently during the past two weeks to develop the mission, vision, goals and core values for MBK DeKalb. We are excited to see this program ensure our young men of color reach their fullest potential.”

My Brother’s Keeper chapters will be established in each of DCSD’s 137 schools. Professional development will be provided for district leaders, principals and school-based mentors.