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Newburgh students, mentors highlight My Brother's Keeper program at board meeting
Summary
My Brother's Keeper fellows and mentors presented student work, described three district grants and urged sustained funding and expansion of the program across Newburgh schools.
My Brother’s Keeper fellows and their mentors presented student reflections and program results to the Newburgh City School District Board of Education at the May 13 meeting, spotlighting three district grants and calling for continued support.
The presentation, introduced by MBK facilitator Dr. Christy Brown, described My Brother’s Keeper as an initiative started in 2014 to “uplift boys and young men of color” and outlined three local grants supporting the work. Dr. Brown said the program’s fellows would give a sample of their work and leadership development to the board and public.
MBK fellows described what participation means to them. Carlos Barrios, identified in the meeting as a 2025 MBK fellow, said, “Service means to me to be there for the community, be there for my family, and be there for my brothers.” In a recorded slide, Ajay (Jay) Johnson said leadership is learned “by being thrown into the position of a leader,” adding MBK gives “support” so participants do not have to “go through it alone.” Akhir McNeil, introduced as senior class president of NFAE high schools and an MBK fellow, said fellows lead community events including the Holiday Bazaar, Backpack Giveaway and Family Reading Day. Josiah Peterson spoke about brotherhood, saying, “When I call somebody my brother, that means I'm willing to lay down my life in order to make theirs better.”
Mentors and teachers also spoke. Robert Poinsett, who identified himself as a career and technical education teacher, sports coach and MBK mentor, described bringing professional leadership experience into the classroom and asked the board to receive his testimony as an educator. A fifth-grade teacher and MBK mentor, Mr. Conway, said mentorship is “the cornerstone of a thriving community” and described MBK experiences in Albany where fellows presented before state education leaders.
Presenters told the board the district currently has three MBK grants: a challenge grant aligned to milestones that include school readiness and third-grade reading, a family and community engagement grant to strengthen partnerships, and a fellows grant that “empowers young men through a brotherhood of collaboration and connection.” The presenters said the fellows participate in two leadership symposiums annually and listed four newly inducted fellows for 2025–26.
Board members and district staff praised the program and urged planning for sustainability. Trustee Howard said the fellows “represent the Newburgh well in Albany” and urged the district to find ways to extend MBK work into middle and elementary schools and to sustain it after grant funding ends. Dr. Brown invited trustees to an MBK coronation ceremony on May 30 and said invitations would be sent by Matthew McCoy.
The recognition occurred during the agenda’s student-recognition portion and did not include board action or votes.
The presentation highlighted MBK’s six national milestones and cited that “over a hundred communities” are part of the MBK Leadership Network, framing the local work as linked to a broader initiative.
